Martini connoisseur Scott Bird tasting the wares at Bistro by the Bijou on Gay Street.

Every martini drinker has his or her ideas about what makes one perfect — or even good. My colleague Scott Bird likes his made with Grey Goose or Belvedere vodka garnished with a twist of lemon or lime in the summer and with olives in the winter. “And a proper martini should be stirred, not shaken,” Scott insists, “despite what James Bond says!”

Stirring the drink produces fewer ice crystals, which will dilute the beverage. But it also takes longer, which causes many bartenders to opt for shaking, a quicker chilling method.

Being the martini fans that we are, Scott and I set out to find the best martinis in Knoxville. We had to set some parameters, of course. We would go to about a dozen places that we thought should have good martinis and we would order a Grey Goose martini, up, with blue cheese-stuffed olives. I would get mine “dirty” (meaning with a little olive juice added in) but Scott would not.

“There’s a big debate about whether a vodka martini even qualifies,” Scott allowed. “But for me, it does.” I agreed.

We also decided to judge the “martini experience” in addition to the actual liquid that was in the glass. This meant that glassware was important, as well as the ambiance in the bar. We rated them on a scale of 1 to 10. I averaged our scores for the final ranking. (Scott’s a harder grader than I am!) A note to our friends in law enforcement: we made it a rule to taste only one martini per night. We thought that would be more fair to the establishments — and keep us out of trouble!

What we found were some very good martinis. Only one was actually less than good, but only one was truly “excellent.” Four were deemed “passable.” And six we judged to be “good martinis.” So I present you, valued Blue Streak readers, with the results of our months of research. Hey, somebody has to do it!

The disappointing martini

My martini — with the controversial olives — at Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Surprisingly, this is where we had the most disappointing martini. We love the bar at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, especially at happy hour when you can get great deals on drinks and appetizers. We love the food at Ruth’s Chris. We love the staff and find them friendly and engaging. But these martinis were just “off.” The problem? The olives. They tasted very peppery and garlicky. Not briny, as “normal” olives are. When we mentioned this to our server, he nodded and said he’s been hearing that a lot — since the chain changed to a new kind of olive.

“Well, why don’t you go out and get some decent olives?” I asked. He said that doing that would require a whole complicated process, much as if the Knoxville restaurant decided to get its steaks from somewhere other than the corporate supplier.

So, sadly, we gave the martinis there a combined 6.75. (But note, even though we complained, we did manage to drink them. During our whole research project, there never was a martini left unconsumed!)

Scott taking his task seriously at Ruth’s Chris.

Our friends Tim Young, left, and Jeff Cupp joined us at Ruth’s Chris. Their votes didn’t count, though!

Passable martinis

My martini at Bistro at the Bijou. Can you see the little oil slick on top?

Bistro at the Bijou. This is the Blue Streak’s favorite restaurant. (Click here for a post about that.) And I think they make one of the best Bloody Marys in town. But we rated the martinis just 7.5. Scott said his had too much vermouth. I had a different issue. Mine had kind of an oil slick on top of it. We speculated that that could have been caused by the cheese in the olives. But we didn’t encounter that issue with those from other places — and they all had cheese-stuffed olives.

Our friend and client Tom Catani of U.S. Cellular joined us at Bistro at the Bijou.

My martini at Sapphire: not dirty enough.

Sapphire. Scott found his to be “cleaner” than the one he had at Bistro at the Bijou. “There’s not as much vermouth,” he noted. “It’s like I’m drinking really cold vodka.” As for me, mine wasn’t dirty enough and I had to ask the bartender to add more olive juice. We gave our martinis a combined rating of 7.75. A note about flavored martinis: Sapphire has a lot of them. Our friend (and Moxley Carmichael’s CFO) Shaun Fulco Hyver joined  us and ordered a martini called a Southern Peach. She liked it.

Scott tasting the martini at Sapphire.

Shaun ordered a “Southern Peach” at Sapphire.

It was the dead of winter when we visited Sapphire and it was freezing in the little side rooms with all the windows! This is Shaun — not Nanook of the North!

My martini at Echo — in the glassware that Scott dissed!

Echo Bistro and Wine Bar. We enjoyed our super full martinis prepared by bartender Robin Russell. I have dubbed really full martinis “lean and sips” because that’s what you want to do instead of picking them up and spilling the precious nectar! That would apply especially to these martinis — they cost $11.25 each. To be fair, Chef Seth Simmerman sent us each a delicious lagniappe — a fried scallop with tomato jam. So I’m not really complaining about the price. We loved that the glassware was super thin — much better to sip from than the serviceable glasses we had been served at previous stops. But Scott didn’t like the design of the glass. It had a hollow circle in the stem, a fact he deemed “too Pier One-ish!” (I told you he was a hard grader!) We gave Echo’s martini a passable 7.875.

Scott chats with Chef Seth Simmerman at the bar at Echo.

Our complimentary scallop at Echo. Yum.

Scott with bartender Robert Stevens at Knox Mason.

Knox Mason. Knox Mason probably has the best food of any eatery in Knoxville right now. It came in second on our favorite restaurants list. Chef Matt Gallaher has a hit on his hands. And bartender Robert Stevens is one of the best around. But here’s our major beef with the martinis — they are tiny! Seriously tiny! But, it was very “drinkable,” according to Scott, which, from him, is a compliment. We thought the bar itself was fun with a lot of personality. And we loved the cheese in the olives. Some of the best we had. We gave it a collective 7.875. (Get bigger glasses!)

Don’t you love this beer pull shaped like an old fashioned telephone? At Knox Mason.

Good martinis

My martini at Cru on the 100 block of Gay Street downtown.

Cru Bistro and Wine Bar. The one downtown. Following Knox Mason, we found the martini servings to be huge! Whereas Scott said his had too much vermouth in it and the dreaded ice crystals, I loved mine. Another positive: Whereas when we started our research project, it was freezing cold, as evidenced by Shaun’s attire in the Sapphire segment, by the time we got to Cru, it was patio weather. In fact, it was the first evening that folks could use the patios. Definitely a plus in the ambiance department. We tried not to let that influence our scores. Our combined score for Cru’s martinis: 8.25. Yum.

Scott on Cru’s patio drinking his martini and chatting with Natalie Lester, also of Moxley Carmichael.

My martini at Fleming’s

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar: “This is very much what I expect to get when I order a martini,” Scott remarked. From him, it was a compliment. I agreed the martini was good. Although, speaking only for myself, Turkey Creek is an awful long way to drive for a martini! We gave Fleming’s martini a good grade: 8.25.

Scott in the bar at Fleming’s.

My martini at Northshore Brasserie

Northshore Brasserie: Located near Scott’s house, this is his “go-to” place for martinis. We both had very good martinis the night we visited. The glassware was better than average because it was a little thinner than that at many other places. We gave the martinis at the Brasserie a combined 8.375. Nothing wrong with that.

Scott’s friend C.J. Casteel joined us at the Brasserie.

So did our friends Dawn and Richard Ford. But they aren’t martini drinkers.

My martini at Chesapeake’s. Notice the cute little extra cold sidecar.

Chesapeake’s: This is located near my residence and is my normal “go-to” martini place. I love the little sidecar they give you and the fact that they put it in an ice bath to keep it really freezing cold. And bartender Jim Burgin, a seasoned pro, is one of the few who stirred our martinis instead of shaking them. So, no ice crystals. And, another bonus point for having real hand-stuffed olives — you could definitely tell. My martini was delicious, cold and just the right amount of dirty. Our combined score for Chesapeake’s: 8.375.

This is Jim Burgin at Chesapeake’s. One of the few bartenders who stirs his martinis.

Scott refreshing his martini at Chesapeake’s.

My martini at The Grill at Highlands Row

The Grill at Highlands Row: Scott really liked the taste of the martini at The Grill at Highlands Row. The glasses were thin and there were no ice crystals. Big pluses for him. “Most drinkable,” he said after a taste. Meaning it was smooth. But the atmosphere is not soothing in the tiny bar there. So we had to shave a little off for the “environment” or, as Scott called it, “the martini experience.” Still, if you are thirsty for a good martini, head over there. Our combined score: 8.5.

Scott enjoying his martini at The Grill at Highlands Row.

My martini at Shuck

Shuck Raw Bar downtown: One problem with Shuck’s martini — no blue cheese. But they did have feta, which they stuffed into the olives at our request. Guess what: I liked it even better. Scott was mildly disappointed because of the darned ice crystals (again, I don’t care!), but we love the atmosphere in Shuck’s bar and found the “experience” to be a good one. Another good score: 8.5.

Michael Higdon joined us at Shuck.

Scott relaxing with his martini at Shuck.

Great martini

My martini at Bistro by the Tracks

Bistro by the Tracks: Scott and I agreed, Bistro by the Tracks had the best martinis. The glasses were beautiful: thin and elegant. “I loved the presentation,” Scott said. “And the atmosphere was so pleasant, I couldn’t disregard it.” I had to agree. Our drinking companion, Johnna Easter, described the bar as “very comfortable.” The martinis themselves were near perfection. If we didn’t have our “one martini” rule, I feel quite sure we would have immediately ordered another!

Scott preparing to taste the goods at Bistro by the Tracks.

Gay Lyons, left, and Johnna Easter, both of Knoxville Magazine, joined us at Bistro by the Tracks.

Johnna ordered a drink called First Days of Fall: Malibu coconut infused rum, Meyers dark rum, pineapple, citrus.

OK, there you have it! How do you feel about our ratings? Where do you get your favorite martini?

Bobby Denton showing off his Christmas tree. Naples, 2012.

I think Bobby Denton would have liked the beautiful funeral flowers from Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire.

I know he would have chuckled at the wreath created in the image of “Wivik,” the frog mascot of radio station WIVK. And the mums that formed a three-dimensional football from WNML, The Sports Animal. And the black-and-white checkered victory flag in the arrangement from Bristol Motor Speedway.

He would have been touched that Shannon, his wife of 15 years, somehow had the composure to sing “How Great Thou Art” at the start of the service. And, like the rest of us, he would have been moved to tears by the beautiful rendition of “Amazing Grace” performed by his longtime friend, country crooner Con Hunley.

It was a service earlier this week of which he thoroughly would have approved. From the slide show of photographs from his 73 amazing years on this planet to the recording by Dolly Parton gently mocking him as “king of the slicked back hair” in a reworded rendition of “Davy Crockett.”

I have known Bobby Denton for 30 years, since the early ’80s when Ron McMahan, one of his closest friends, became the editor of The Knoxville Journal where I was a young reporter. Ron soon became my friend and mentor and, through him, I would spend many fun days — well, evenings, mostly — with Bobby. When Ron passed away six years ago, his widow, Wanda, remained close to Bobby, and Alan and I would see him every time we visited Wanda in Naples, Florida, where both of them lived.

Naples Beach, 2010. Bobby with Susan Brown, left, and Wanda McMahan

In Naples, Bobby, a reformed alcoholic, was always our cheerful designated driver as we explored the fabulous restaurants and patio bars Naples has to offer. Bobby never ran out of stories to crack us up. And, even though he lived in Naples most of the year, he was more plugged in to the happenings in Knoxville than I was — and I’m pretty plugged in.  As we would drive around Naples, Bobby constantly took phone calls from Knoxville from friends filling him in on the politics and gossip from K-town. I would return from our visits with many new insights into the behind-the-scenes happenings in my hometown.

More than 1,000 people filled the pews of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church Monday for the “celebration of life” service. It truly lived up to its name — it was a celebration. The men involved, from the ushers to Con Hunley and the other participants, wore some of Bobby’s many orange ties, a reflection of his commitment to the University of Tennessee, where he served as stadium announcer at the football games for more than 40 years. One wore his orange blazer and Shannon clutched one of his handkerchiefs. Four colorful vans from the radio stations owned by Cumulus Media, the current parent company of WIVK, parked along Kingston Pike with their yellow bar lights flashing. WIVK is the flagship station where Bobby rose in the ranks over 36 years from disc jockey to vice president and general manager.

This football made from mums was from WNML, The Sports Animal.

Bobby’s friends Jimmy Hyams and Mickey Dearstone barely held it together as they touchingly talked about their long friendships with Bobby. Talk show host Hallerin Hilton Hill knocked it out of the ballpark with his eulogy. Hallerin used the radio station call letters, W-I-V-K, to sum up the essence of Bobby’s life. But there was so much to say that he had to use each of the letters twice.

For the letter W, Hallerin said, “Bobby was a winner — he always wanted to win.” And, he added, “Bobby was a warrior.” He fought for things and people he believed in.

The I stood for “intuitive,” Hallerin said, describing Bobby’s “gut feelings” about people and things, including country music talent, which he had an uncanny knack of identifying. And “invest,” which is something Bobby did with people he believed in.

The V? Well that was for Bobby’s vision. And Vol, of course.

K was for Kryptonite, the fictional substance in the Superman comic book series that was the one weakness of Superman and others from the planet Krypton. In Bobby’s case, Hallerin said, the Kryptonite was alcohol, which Bobby eventually conquered. And, most important of all, the final K represents Bobby’s kindness, Hallerin accurately noted.

From our condo in downtown Knoxville, we could hear Bobby Denton’s voice wafting up from Neyland Stadium on the Saturdays of UT’s home football games. We could clearly hear him announce, “It’s football time in Tennessee!” and “Pay these prices and please pay no more!” referring to stadium concessions. We could hear the crowd roar its appreciation.

I dread football season.

Click here for WIVK’s tribute to Bobby.

Click here for the News Sentinel story about Bobby’s death.

Bobby Denton , left, with Wanda McMahan and Alan Carmichael at MiraMare in Naples, 2012.

From left, Bobby, Mary and Dick Kazitka, Wanda McMahan and Alan Carmichael on the Kazitkas’ porch at Le Dauphin condominiums at Vanderbilt Beach in Naples in 2012.

Bobby’s house in the Mill Run neighborhood of Naples.

At Bobby’s house in Naples.

Bobby and the car he called “Baby.” Naples, 2012.

Bobby was a clotheshorse! Here’s his closet in Naples.

Bobby with a lighted menu at LaPlaya Beach Club on Vanderbilt Beach, 2012.

Bobby with Linda Workman at the Dogwood patrons’ lunch in Knoxville, 2010.

Bobby at the Champions for a Cause luncheon in Knoxville, 2009. (Photo courtesy of Maria Cornelius.)

Flowers from Dolly Parton on Monday.

Very sweet.

From Reba McEntire and her husband, Narvel.

WIVK’s flowers. Perfect.

From Bristol Motor Speedway.

From WOKI, News Talk.

You know you’ve made it when people dress up as you at Halloween! Here is Sam Maynard dressed as Bobby Denton at James White’s Fort in 2012. Ha. Bobby would have loved it.

New York actors (and former Clarence Brown students) Conrad Ricamora and Jane Blass talking to visiting Knoxvillians at Sardi’s last month.

When the Clarence Brown Theatre takes a group of Knoxvillians to New York City each year, Alan and I try to go. Of course, we enjoy the plays. Of course, we adore the restaurants. But I think what really makes the trip are the opportunities Clarence Brown’s artistic director, Cal MacLean, arranges for us to meet professionals working in the theater field.

Cartoon of Helen Hayes on wall at Sardi’s

On the most recent such trip, which occurred last month, MacLean invited two working actors and former University of Tennessee students to join us for lunch at Sardi’s restaurant. Conrad Ricamora and Jane Blass shared with us the importance of their experiences at Clarence Brown and the importance of theater in the lives of the audience.

Ricamora, currently appearing in the Off-Broadway production of “Here Lies Love,”  chose the University of Tennessee over both Harvard and Brown universities. He did it, he said, because of Jed Diamond, head of acting at the UT Department of Theatre. “What he’s doing there is like nothing being done anywhere else,” said Ricamora, a native of California. “It’s groundbreaking. At the Clarence Brown Theatre, I worked with professionals who were brought in and made me feel like I had a seat at the table.”

Jane Blass, who just finished performing in “Annie” when it recently closed after 30 years on Broadway, made similar statements. “Working with professionals brings you up,” she noted. “You’re not just playing around with your friends.”

The Clarence Brown is both a professional theater company serving the community and the university and a learning laboratory for students and graduate students in UT’s acclaimed Department of Theatre.

Carol Burnett caricature at Sardi’s

Blass, who was raised in Jackson, Tenn., said she originally thought she would be a nuclear physicist. But she was bitten by the acting bug by watching her father, who was a leading man in community theater. Her first performance was in “The King and I” when she was just 5. Now, at age 52, she still has that bug.

I often wonder how actors can stay fresh when they are performing a show for an extended period of time. Blass addressed that. She recently starred for over a year and a half in “A Girl’s Guide to Chaos,” in Chicago. “Every night for a year and a half, you say the same lines,” she said. “The only way you can do it is because there are fresh eyes in the audience each night.”

Blass said she took to heart some advice she received from veteran actor George Maguire. “Just work,” he told her. “Work in community theater. Work in your church. Just work. You will hone your craft and you will meet people who will become Broadway stars.” She now gives similar advice to beginners. “Work breeds work,” she said.

Ricamora looks upon the theater as an almost spiritual experience. “We walk through life feeling alone,” he said. “Then we go in a theater and feel like it’s a shared experience.”

We appreciate the shared experience we had with our fellow Clarence Brown enthusiasts in New York.

Our home base during our trip, the famous Algonquin hotel. We loved staying there!

We arrived in New York on a Thursday, and realized after we checked in that we were too early for our 5:30 dinner reservation. Not wanting to waste any time staying in our room, we went to the bar in the Michelangelo Hotel, across the street from our dinner restaurant, for a drink, of course. Here’s hubs, Alan Carmichael, examining the artwork.

I examined a martini!

We were very excited about our dinner reservations at Le Bernardin, 155 W. 51st Street.

Maggie Erickson, left, and Mimi Turner joined us.

The table was set with simple elegance.

The amuse-bouche at Le Bernardin. The little serving of cream of cauliflower soup, on the right, was satisfying and warm on a cold, windy day.

I felt like it was time for another martini. Isn’t the old-fashioned glass beautiful?

I ordered raw oysters and asked for saltine crackers to go with them. My server said they didn’t have saltines (what was I thinking??), but brought me these delicate little toasts. I will never like saltines as much again. Sigh.

Black bass with wood ear mushrooms, water chestnuts and black truffle hot and sour pot au feu

Sautéed Dover sole; with almond-pistachio-barberry golden basmati and brown-butter tamarind vinaigrette

Pan roasted lobster, truffled salsify, red wine “Sauce Américaine”

Chocolate mille-feuille, caramelized phyllo, thyme gelée, salted milk chocolate ice cream

Lovely parting gifts. As if we needed them.

Lord, it was an awesome meal. One of the top ten of my life.

Then, on to the Walter Kerr Theatre at 219 W 48th St., for the fun musical romp that is “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.”

Here’s Alan after the show with the leading man, Bryce Pinkham. (Hope he wasn’t getting any ideas from him! In the play, Pinkham’s character murders a succession of relatives in order to get an inheritance.)

We Knoxvillians gathered after the show and headed to a reception for Clarence Brown alums living in New York. From left, Bob Parrott, Alan, Georgiana Vines, Kris Fry, Mimi Turner, Margie Parrott and Maggie Erickson.

It was held at the Bourbon Street Bar and Grille at 346 W. 46th Street.

Here’s Brooks Clark, a member of the Clarence Brown Theatre Advisory Board, at the reception with his daughter, Olivia, right, and her friend, Katie Hukill.

From left, Russ Johnston, Susan Farris, Rosemary Gilliam, Florence Johnston and Kent Farris at the reception.

Cal made a few remarks.

Kim Midkiff, left, now a New Yorker, and Cathy Dodge, a UT development official.

Here’s Kim again with actor Ronny Venable, a fellow Clarence Brown alum living in NYC.

It was getting to be time for bed, so we returned to the Algonquin to find these ear plugs and a note from Matilda, the Algonquin’s resident cat!

On Friday, we gathered at Sardi’s at 12:30 for lunch.

Cal introduced the actors.

Clarence Brown’s managing director David Byrd, left, with Townes Osborn and Jeff Stanley.

Florence and Russ Johnston

More of our group at Sardi’s.

Alice and David Torbett, left, with Margie and Bob Parrott

Kent and Susan Farris

Cal was joined at lunch by Amanda Middleton, external relations associate of the Clarence Brown Theatre.

Portions are generous at Sardi’s. Here’s penne rigate with Italian sausage, bell pepper ragu and parsley ricotta.

I had the orange teriyaki glazed broiled salmon with caramelized ginger sweet potato puree, sauteed spinach, sesame seeds and sweet lime soy sauce. Yum.

For Alan, it was sauteed chicken scaloppini with risotto, fine string beans and mushroom sauce.

Sardi’s frozen cake made with vanilla and raspberry ice cream, toasted coconut shavings and served with zabaglione and chocolate sauce. Alan was in heaven.

Kent Farris, convinced that Conrad would make it huge one day, got him to sign a menu!

We had some time to kill, so we went to Times Square, a place I just love.

I convinced him to pose with these minions we saw. (We both are fond of the minions from the movie “Despicable Me.”)

We were tempted to check out this place, the Jekyll & Hyde Club, billed as “a haunted restaurant and bar.” But we decided to save it for another trip.

After a few hours, it was time for — you guessed it! — another meal! We decided we just couldn’t eat a real dinner, so we shared two appetizers at one of our favorite Theater District eateries, Kellari Taverna, a Greek place at 19 West 44th Street.

You can’t go to a Greek place without having a Greek salad. This one was huge. Good thing we were sharing.

Grilled shrimp hit the spot, as well.

The second play was at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre at 261 W 47th St. “Outside Mullingar,” it was about two introverted Irish cattle farmers who live next door to one another but are too shy to get together despite their obvious years-long attraction. It was supposed to star Debra Messing as the female lead. But we discovered from a boisterous complainer outside the theater that she had been replaced for the evening by an understudy.

Turns out, the understudy was terrific. We didn’t even miss Debra Messing. (I would tell you who the understudy was, but she was not listed in “Playbill,” although the understudies for all the other characters were listed. Management must not have imagined Ms. Messing would miss a show — especially since this was the play’s closing weekend.)

Anyway, we loved it.

After the show, we headed back to the Algonquin to gather in the lounge and discuss the play.

Of course, we went through Times Square again.

Chatted with some huge police horses.

The bar at the Algonquin is nicknamed “New York’s living room.” And with good reason. It is comfortable and packed with inviting furniture that practically pulls you into it and forces you to have a cocktail. (That’s my story!)

Alan in the lounge at the Algonquin.

Tom and Melanie Wood in some more of that comfortable furniture.

Here’s our gang in the Algonquin lounge.

Alan and I had to skip the third play, “Bridges of Madison County.” Sadly, we had to return to Knoxville for the funeral of a wonderful colleague. Losing him at such a young age (he was 47) made us even more appreciative of our friends and more determined to enjoy every good time we can.

Milliner Patricia Frankum, right, poses with customer Lane Hays at Hats in Bloom.

I believe the unofficial start to garden party season in Knoxville is the annual Hats in Bloom luncheon at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum. The schedule is a little bit on the brave side – in early April. The buds are just starting to think about opening. And the ladies gamely don their spring outfits — but they bring a sweater, just in case.

Popular milliner Patricia Frankum and her helpful husband, Jeff, haul in scores of hats to sell and, I have to say, it’s practically a feeding frenzy as women crowd the tables and cluster around the mirrors. Even though I’m not a hat person, I love watching the others find just the right chapeau.

The Knoxville Botanical Garden is a historical gem located in East Knoxville just minutes from downtown. It has been a great addition to the Knoxville social scene as it is the perfect venue for weddings, parties and receptions.

If you missed this year’s Hats in Bloom event, never fear. It was just the start of a series of four such fundraisers to be held in private gardens for the benefit of the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum.

Great hat box!

The next one will be called “Country Garden in Bloom,” and will be the evening of May 29 at the home of Diane Humphreys-Barlow and Jack Barlow on a 16-acre rural south Knox County property. Portions of the gardens were designed by different landscape architects and creative horticulturists and the landscape has been embellished by personal plant choices of the owners. Raised garden beds supply produce throughout the summer and fall. Wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Cost is $45 per person.

By contrast, “City Garden in Bloom” will be the evening of June 12 at the  home of Ileen and University of Tennessee-Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek. This event involves wine and a light supper after a tour of the half-acre garden surrounding their home. Ileen has planned the garden so there is something in bloom throughout the year. For the party, there may be hydrangeas, peonies (my favorite flower) and day lilies, as well as Jimmy’s small vegetable garden on display. Cost is $50 per person.

Another “In Bloom” event, as yet undetermined, is being planned for June 26. To reserve seats at any of these, call (865) 862-8717.

Now, back to those hats!

Jackie Wilson, left, was chair of this event. With her is Shelby Wright of The Vol Network. Best thing about these two? They are University of Georgia grads, as am I. (Go Dawgs!)

Vicki Williams-Baumgartner, left, with Beth Wolf

Theresa Stone, left, and Andie Ray. Don’t they look great together in that dazzling sunflower shade of yellow?

Another matching pair: Sandi Burdick, left, and Sylvia Peters

Jennifer Holder, left, and Hilary Burgin made a pretty picture in coordinating outfits.

Joan Ashe is chair of the board of the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum and Keyes Williamson is executive director. They both do an amazing job.

Danielle Velez of the Botanical Garden stayed busy pouring champagne and mimosas.

Some of the ladies from Moxley Carmichael got into the hat-trying-on action. From left, Shaun Fulco Hyver, Amanda Shell Jennings and Lauren Christ.

My friend Susan Seymour can really rock a hat. She wears them a lot.

Shirley Estes asked Patricia Frankum to make a hat to match this dress she bought on a South American vacation.

Just look at all these unique hats!

More!

Coolest mannequin ever.

Maria Cornelius of Moxley Carmichael was determined to find a hat to buy. Here’s the first one she tried on.

Second option.

Third try.

She went for number two!

Patricia Jobe, left, and daughter, Lisa Jobe

The trees were barely leafing out.

Some early bloomers brightened the scenery.

Lenten roses were right on time for Lent.

All the beautiful centerpieces, donated by local businesses and individuals, were for sale.

Phyllis Driver, left, and Sandra Trout

Sandy Blevins-Steer, left, and Carrie McConkey

Pamela Chips, left, and Julia Bentley

Lauren Christ found this dynamite hat, which she will wear with her going away outfit on her upcoming wedding day. So pretty.

Judith Foltz

Gay Lyons

Debbie Way

Allyn Purvis Schwartz

Ann Farrar, left, and Fran Scheidt

It was difficult to get folks to stop shopping and sit down! But what a beautiful scene in the Martha Ashe Garden when they did.

Caterer Rex Bradford Jones started our lunches with creamy tomato basil soup garnished with a little grilled cheese sandwich.

Entree was a “blooming salad” with chilled bourbon glazed salmon and pimento cheese biscuits.

The cutest desserts: “good night cookies” atop shots of custard. Clever.

Gail Jarvis in an amazing hat.

Karen Kluge, left, and Beverly Linkus

The Hats in Bloom party looked to be at least twice the size it was last year. I can only imagine what 2015 will bring. You gotta be there.

Sharon Rusch Shaver was painting the downtown scene in front of her in the Liz-Beth & Co. booth in the Krutch Park extension. There also were glass blowers at work in another booth.

Was anybody anywhere else Saturday except in downtown Knoxville? It sure seemed as if everyone were here. And we downtown residents were delighted to have you. You were generally friendly and well-behaved and we are happy to share this amazing urban experience with you.

The place was packed because of the sheer number of planned activities going on. From the last Winter Market of the year at the Historic Southern Railway Station where I started my morning buying lettuce and strawberries, to the Color Me Rad 5K race over near the Civic Coliseum, the Dogwood Arts Festival’s Art Fair in Krutch Park and Market Square and EarthFest at World’s Fair Park, there truly was something for every taste.

I continue to be impressed by the quality of the wares at the Dogwood Arts Fair. The show is juried and includes booths from more than 70 artists. It has come such a long way since the days of potholders and trivets. Kudos to my friend Lisa Duncan, the executive director of the Dogwood Arts Festival, and her army of volunteers who supplement her capable — but small — staff.

Even though we still have the ubiquitous funnel cakes and corn dogs offered in the food vendor area, they are supplemented by more original — and perhaps healthier — fare. Here are  some photos of our amazing day today. The downtown Art Fair continues tomorrow, Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. You better get down here! Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are just around the corner, don’t forget!

Crowds were thick throughout the day today.

The children’s area was interesting. In addition to the normal face painting and finger painting you see at all these types of events, kids today got to practice some circus skills!

This little girl was quite proficient on the tightrope!

Practicing juggling looked like fun.

How about a little plate spinning?

I ran into WBIR’s Abby Ham with her son and some friends on Market Square.

I also ran into Shaun Fulco Hyver, the CFO of Moxley Carmichael, with her husband, Roger, and sweet little doggie, Millie. So cute!

Here are Marisa Mitchell, left, and Sara O’Connor. As you can see, they had run in the “Color Me Rad” race. Participants are sprayed with colored corn starch!

This is Petronella Shepard of Kingsport. She was selling the most amazing baskets in her booth, The African Hut, on Market Square.

Ann Marie Tugwell, left, and her daughter, Katie Tugwell, were each buying one of the colorful baskets to use for shopping at the Market Square Farmers’ Market when it opens starting next week.

Stunning.

I wish I’d bought one. Hope she has some left tomorrow.

Milton Whitson of Clinton has some beautiful cutting boards and other kitchen items at his Market Square booth.

Among the new food offerings were gourmet ice cream sandwiches offered from this truck, Sunshine Sammies. Awesome idea.

Another new one.

Best logo! The Gonzo Gourmet truck. It offered, among other things, adobo chicken sandwiches, Brats from Willy’s Butcher Shop in Bearden and hashbrown casserole. “My mom’s cheesy potato recipe,” the chalk board promised.

Music was everywhere. In addition to the programmed acts on the official stages, numerous buskers — some quite good ones — set up all around the activities.

A group of buskers on Union Avenue.

Others on Market Square.

My friend Greg Blankenship had his Gregory’s Greenhouse truck set up on Union Avenue.

Among his offerings: pineapple plants!

But this was my favorite thing of his.

My friend Ranee Randby would have snatched this up! She loves all things bulldog.

At the Dogwood Arts Festival’s own booth, flowers were offered for $1 per stem. Sweet.

Even with all the food vendors, restaurant patios were packed.

The regular balloon guy was busy.

As was the regular statue/robot guy.

I loved this glazed pottery at the booth called “Gone to Pot” on Market Square. It’s by Kristi O’Connell and Mary Bartholomew of Knoxville.

Here’s another piece. Lovely.

This dazzling large bowl is a piece of wall art by David Goldhagen of Hayesville, North Carolina.

Artist Heather Whiteside returned to Knoxville from her home in New York for this show. I love her art and it was great to see her again at the Liz-Beth & Co. booth.

This is her newest work.

Isn’t this interesting. It’s in Krutch Park extension in a booth called The Glass Haus operated by Leonard and Carolyn Wilson of McHenry, Illinois.

I walked over to World’s Fair Park to check out EarthFest. Folks were dangling their feet into The Waters of the World. That looked like fun.

A band called Mac Comer and the Coo Cool Kidders was playing rock and roll.

To a relaxed audience.

I bought some cool mugs from WUOT’s booth.

My buddy Jake Hudson was staffing the Fort Loudoun Lake Association booth.

It was a relaxed afternoon. Not nearly as frenetic as Market Square. Totally different vibe.

I headed back to my office to post this and couldn’t resist a snap of the Sunsphere.

A beautiful table for 20 set up at Willow Creek Gallery.

Shock chef Anthony Bourdain would be proud of me. When it comes to meat, I usually only eat “normal” stuff — beef, pork and chicken (and the occasional holiday turkey, of course). But Sunday night, not only did I dine on duck breast and braised goat, I actually tasted (I can’t believe I’m typing these words!) beef heart tartare.

It was, by design, an odd occasion.

It was the second official meeting of a group that calls itself Trust Fall Knox. (The group is named after a popular trust-building game often conducted as a group exercise in which a person deliberately allows themselves to fall, relying on the other members of the group to catch him or her.)

According to the group’s “manifesto,” it is Knoxville’s first underground supper club, the brainchild of a handful of diehard foodies who love to eat, drink and meet new people. The idea is to gather a small group of diners — 20 or fewer — from across a variety of social groups to enjoy a gourmet meal prepared by a local chef and served in a clandestine location. “People have been connecting over meals for centuries,” the manifesto notes. “But in the current age, we have too often sacrificed personal connection for convenience and comfort. Trust Fall is an attempt to slow us down, to remind us of what it is like to linger over a wonderful meal that demands your full attention and to share the experience with someone new.”

This banner, bearing the Trust Fall logo, welcomed us.

Part of the Trust Fall experience is placing your trust in the featured chef. So no special dietary requests or preferences are allowed.

It’s kind of a fun cloak-and-dagger experience to get to the dinner. The 20 tickets are sold for $100 each on a first-come, first-served basis. Potential participants receive an email telling them exactly what time the tickets will go on sale. They are snapped up quickly, within an hour. Then you wait until the appointed day, and you are told at 1:15 where your 6:30 p.m. dinner will be. Our email had a link to a Google Map location: 115 East Jackson Ave., in the Old City in downtown Knoxville.

Alan and I decided to participate because we love the chef who was selected to prepare this month’s meal: Matt Gallaher, the chef owner of one of our favorite eateries, Knox Mason on the 100 block of Gay Street. Plus, we thought it would be a romp, which it was.

We showed up at the secret location, which turned out to be Willow Creek Gallery, a business that occupies 20,000 square feet in a historic warehouse and specializes in hand-selected antiques from France and England. It is a very cool space.

When we arrived, we were told we could take pictures and write about the food, the guests and the chefs, but we were not allowed to photograph or reveal the identities of the founders of the group, who would be our wait staff. (I was surprised by some of them, to tell you the truth.)

We fastened ours seat belts, so to speak, and prepared for one of the most original and creative meals we’ve ever had. Nine courses with wine pairings and a signature cocktail served in a quirky, beautiful environment by folks who clearly love what they are doing.

Thanks so much to the team that came up with and executed this unique dining experience. Details on how you can participate are contained later in this blog post.

First things first: a signature cocktail. I was not allowed to show the face of the mixologist muddling our delicious welcoming drink.

It was a spicy caipirinha, a variation of the official cocktail of Brazil. It contains cacacha, muddled lime and jalapeno, sugar and crushed ice. Delish.

I stepped in the back to say hello to the chefs. Matt Gallaher, center, with Jon Green, left, and Josiah Montgomery.

“Why would a chef do such a thing,” I asked Matt. He said it’s a treat to have a chance to be truly creative. Clearly, some of the items on this menu would never fly in a working restaurant. He said he appreciated the opportunity to keep honing his skills. We were the lucky beneficiaries.

Guests Holly Hambright and Stanton Webster, two of the biggest foodies around, enjoying their caipirinhas. Holly is a top-notch caterer here and the owner of Holly’s Eventful Dining. Stanton is manager of Suttree’s on Gay Street.

Wayne and Sara Christensen came to Knoxville to work for Whittle Communications in the glory days — and never left. Today, he is executive director of Knox Youth Sports. Sara is a graphic designer.

First passed appetizer: Matt’s take on tater tots! Potato gnocchi wrapped in Benton’s bacon topped with hot pepper aioli. The salty, smoky crunch of the bacon combined with the soft gnocchi and the pop of heat made these practically addictive.

Guests John Craig and Lindsey Collins. John is head of Knoxville’s BiscuitFest. Lindsey works at Knox Mason and is Chef Gallaher’s girlfriend.

Some of the interesting items surrounding us.

Loved this.

Alyse Wieland and Tommy Smith

Here’s Matt’s version of chips and dip. Prawn crackers with curry comeback sauce for dipping. Those crackers were light as feathers. The curry sauce was delicately flavored. Perfect.

My hubby, Alan Carmichael, approved.

Wine pairing with this course was a 2012 The Curator chenin blanc blend by A.A. Badenhorst, from Swartland, South Africa.

Brad and Paige Johnson. He is one of the owners of Willow Creek Gallery.

Pretty copper pieces.

Beautiful.

Roy and Susanna Milner. He’s the brewery partner at Blackberry Farm.

Lots of potential for these pieces.

And these.

Then it was time to sit down. I loved the wood slices that were the chargers.

And the sweet centerpieces.

Chef Gallaher said he used some “science-y” molecular gastronomy techniques in some of the evening’s offerings, including this one. Asparagus, burrata, Kentucky coppa, mushroom, ramp and marcona almond romesco. He said the burrata, a fresh Italian cheese, was “modified by modern science.” When you pierced it with a fork, it popped, dispersing a liquid center all over the plate and its contents. Very cool.

Wine was a 2011 Chassagne-Montrachet by Olivier LeFlaive from Cote de Beaune, France.

Beef heart tartare topped with a lightly poached egg yolk, chickpea fries, capers and an anchovy garlic aioli. Yes, I actually tasted it, with some guidance from Stanton on how to prepare it. (Mix the egg and aioli in with the beef.) It was OK. Alan ate all of his!

We had the same Chassagne-Montrachet with this course.

Marianne Whittemore of Scripps Networks considers the beef heart course.

Tom Namey sat beside Alan. He and his wife found out 17 minutes before the dinner that there had been a cancellation and that they could come as substitutes. They managed to get a babysitter and make it to the Old City in time! Wow. Impressive.

Slow roasted trout, castelvetrano and oil cured olives, preserved lemon creme fraiche, bottarga.

With this we had Superior Fino sherry by Sandeman from Jerez, Spain.

Duck breast, foie gras-miso, smoky eggplant, port enriched tare, cracklins mixed with wasabi peas.

Wine with the duck was a 2009 E. Guigal Gigondas from Rhone, France.

Braised goat, ember roasted carrots, chevre and cilantro and mint salsa. This was delicious, to my surprise.

We had the same red wine with this course.

The first dessert course was blis maple panna cotta, buttered popcorn, Benton’s bacon crumble and whipped cream served in an egg shell. Spectacular presentation and great flavor combination.

With the desserts, we were served a delicately sweet sparkling wine: Ruffino Rosatello prima cuvee from Tuscany, Italy.

Finale was dark chocolate cremeux, pistachio, pickled cherries, malted meringe, sea salt and olive oil. Spectacular deep cocoa flavor complemented by all the rest.

Diners Mike Atkins and Sallie Namey

At the end of the meal — about 10:30 — they asked us each to sign the back of our chargers.

Organizers plan to have these events every four to six weeks, they said. The previous one was held in the basement of O.P. Jenkins furniture store downtown and featured Chef Trevor Stockton of RT Lodge. We’re told the next one will not be downtown.

There are two ways to get on the list to be notified about upcoming Trust Fall events. Follow Trust Fall on Instagram (#trustfallknox) or email them at trustfallknox@gmail.com and ask to be put on the list.

We hope to see you soon at one of these unique culinary adventures. Cheers!

Kristian Bush, right, and his brother, Brandon, performing for charity at Scripps Networks Interactive.

How many times have you been to a fundraiser and experienced this formula: silent auction, dinner, live auction and then dancing to a cover band at a stuffy country club? Now here’s a charity event that will have you out of your seat shouting for more.

When Scripps Networks Interactive throws a fundraiser, it rocks! Case in point: Kristian Bush, half of the superstar band Sugarland, recently played a set at Scripps Networks’ west Knoxville studio to raise funds for the nonprofit Rebuilding Together Knoxville. Joining Bush at the event were John Colaneri and Anthony Carrino, stars of HGTV‘s popular remodel show, “Cousins Undercover.” The result? A fun and unusual evening — and a big success for the cause.

The night started with a reception in the Scripps lobby and a VIP photo op upstairs. Soon, everyone moved to the studio for a buffet dinner by caterer extraordinaire Holly Hambright of Holly’s Eventful Dining. After a short appearance by the real-life cousins, Bush, a Knoxville native and member of the Bush Beans family, took the stage to play some Sugarland material and some original fare. He brought down the house.

Rebuilding Together Knoxville uses volunteer labor to provide free home modifications and repairs for those in need, making homes safer, more accessible and more energy efficient. The Knoxville affiliate is one of about 200 similar groups working in cities across the country. HGTV and DIY Network, both Scripps brands, are major sponsors of the national group and its Knoxville affiliate.

Here’s a look at the fun evening — one that did not involve a single auction item!

At the reception, from left, Tim Young, Booth Kammann, Mary Bogert, Jeff Cupp and Kurt Kammann.

Michelle Hardin and Larry Kleinman

From left, Paige and Barry Brooke, Susan Brown, Katie and Blair Kline

Kim Donahue passing candied bacon — the signature dish of premier caterer Holly Hambright.

From left, Ryan Connor, Jackson Gainer, Eddie Mannis, Sherry Jenkins, Renee Repka and Dino Cartwright

From left, Janet Testerman Creswell, Rene Yanes and Alan Carmichael

Tiny cups of cream of cauliflower soup garnished with paper thin slices of radishes and minced herbs were passed.

The soup was delicious, as Kathy Hamilton will attest. That’s Richard Ford looking on.

The lobby became crowded with extroverts. You should have heard the noise level!

Randy Fields, left, and Allen Begley of Messer Construction.

Janet Testerman Crossley and Bill Regas

I love Holly’s asparagus/pimento cheese roll-ups.

Cute little centerpieces were on the cocktail tables.

From left, Sandra Robledo, Rosa Mar, Patricia Robledo and Rene Yanes

Lisa Stearns and Norman Hammitt

Rene Yanes, left, and Chris Davis

Meanwhile, upstairs at the VIP reception . . .

Kristian Bush poses with Scripps Networks’ Jen Mowrer.

Cindy McConkey of Scripps with the “Cousins Undercover” guys, John Colaneri, left, and Anthony Carrino.

Gotta get a selfie!

Scripps owns some beautiful glass artwork by Tommie Rush of Knoxville. This tree was my favorite. Gary McCormick, of Scripps, posed in front of it with his wife, Yollie.

More great Tommie Rush pieces.

Soon, we were called in to dinner.

In the studio where dinner was served and the performance would be held, from left, Susan Brown, Marilyn Sobota, Rachel Ford and Martha Buchanan. Ms. Sobota was the recipient of Rebuilding Together Knoxville’s assistance last year and was featured in a video that was shown before the concert.

Kim Henry, left, and Danielle Benson

Sarolyn Davis and Randy Massey

Here’s Holly Hambright behind one of the props, a toolbox to go with the “rebuilding” theme.

Paint buckets filled with popcorn were on each table. Clever.

Angus beef sliders. Yum.

Chipotle lime shrimp

Assorted flatbread pizzas

Beautiful — and healthy.

Scott and Annette Brun

Cheryl and Brian Bartley

Cindy McConkey and Gary Cox

Joey and Janet Testerman Creswell

From left, Dawn Ford, Craig Shelton and Jennifer Holder

Assorted yummy desserts were on each table.

Richard Ford ponders his decision.

Susan Brown, left, and Janet Testerman Creswell give Mark Grayson some attention.

From left, Steve Bowman, Judi Starliper and Barbara Lowry

From left, Dottie Arnett, Diana Condon and Jeannie Dulaney

And then, showtime!

Those are some cute cousins! Anthony Carrino, left, and John Colaneri.

They introduced the video and acted as emcees throughout the evening.

Kristian Bush was charming.

The audience loved him!

Case in point: Blair Kline.

Afterward, as the stars posed for photos, Mary Bogert, left, and Rachel Ford grabbed seats at the keyboard! (No piano is safe around these two!)

From left, Mary Bogert, Martha Buchanan, Kristian Bush and Rachel Ford.

Here they are with the cousins.

I can’t wait for next year’s Rebuilding Together Knoxville event! Great job, everybody.

Bob Due, one of my favorite farmers, brought plenty of green onions from his Terraced Gardens Farm.

Several years ago, I remember the Market Square Farmers’ Market getting off to a slow start every year. When it opened in the spring, there were just a few booths selling produce.

That’s not how it is anymore. This past Saturday was the first day of the market’s 11th season and it was jam-packed. Not only were there arts and crafts offerings and prepared foods like salsas, breads and chow-chows, but there were farmers selling a good number of actual crops. In all, vendors filled more than 120 booths.

Strawberries, asparagus, all kinds of lettuces and greens, cauliflower, radishes, beets, herbs and green onions. All were in plentiful supply.

I loved seeing the familiar farmers again, as well as some of the other vendors. And I really loved it that tons of customers showed up, jamming the walkways, filling up the restaurant patios and creating lines at the food trucks. I saw people I knew from all parts of town — and plenty of out-of-towners, as well. This is a good, good thing. If you didn’t make it downtown on Saturday’s opening day, try to come soon. The market opens at 9 a.m., and that’s when the best selection is available.

Until then, here are some pictures of opening day.

It was, admittedly, a little chilly when the market first opened on Saturday. But it quickly warmed up. Just ask Tory Legg, staffing her handcrafted jewelry booth, Tory Legg Designs.

I loved this booth: Scruffy Little Tomatoes. It was offering tomato plants.

Have you ever seen such a thing? These mushrooms are called lion’s mane.

This is Whitey Hitchcock, owner of Everything Mushrooms in South Knoxville. He has a fun blog about mushrooms. Here’s the link: http://everythingmushrooms.com/blog/

We bought strawberries from the Colvin Family Farm booth. We will be regulars there this year.

The asparagus was beautiful at the Shelton Farms stand.

We generally buy our grits there, too.

Danny Shelton is fun to talk to.

Farmer Brian Adler of Lacewing Farms had some beautiful radishes.

Here’s Alan with our friends Mark and Janis McNeely, visiting from Nashville.

Our buddy Shannon Meadows putting out produce at Mountain Meadows Farm booth.

Here’s some of her pretty cauliflower.

John Ledbetter at Hines Valley Farm will see a lot of Alan and me over the next seven to eight months.

He had some great looking greens on Saturday.

These mushrooms at the Jennings Hollow Farm booth are called “wine cap.” I can see why!

Ridgetop Gardens is a hydroponic operation in Powell, Tennessee. They had beautiful herbs and greens available.

Bok choy, left, and komatsuna offered by Musick Mountain Farm. A wonderful thing about the farmers’ market is that it encourages you to try new things.

Lots of folks were offering free range organic eggs. These were at Cedar Side Farm Fresh Produce.

Austin Childress was ably assisting customers at Dixie Lee Nursery and Garden Center.

Just look at these beautiful hydrangeas they had.

Some of the great folks staffing the Market Square Farmers’ Market booth. From left, Charlotte Tolley, Art Carmichael and Amy Hubbard. They know the answers to all questions!

I ran in to my friend Julie Webb. A downtown resident, she’s a regular like us. Can you see her cute earrings? They are shaped like those little origami peace cranes.

VG’s Bakery is a weekly stop for us.

Here’s Rose Najar. She has a booth right across from the patio of Tupelo Honey Cafe. She’s displaying her hand-painted coasters here.

She’s also selling packets of plant markers made out of paint stirrers.

Here’s how you use them. Clever, huh?

Rose also has cute pet picture frames. (I see some of these in my friends’ futures.)

Over beside the Bill Lyons Pavilion my pal Rosa Mar was making a purchase from Greg Blankenship at the Gregory’s Greenhouse truck.

There are no rules about how farmers at this market must grow their crops. But you can be sure that if they don’t use herbicides and pesticides, they will let you know. Which is something I always look for.

Another good sign. I walk right past the crops that are “conventionally” grown. Sometimes, I try to make a point by inquiring of the farmers if they use chemicals on their crops. I like to hear them try to explain why it doesn’t matter if they do. Ha.

This has nothing to do with the market, but I noticed very cool new herb planters at Trio’s patio. Aren’t they just great?

Hope to see you on Market Square on Saturday!

Artist Richard Jolley with Shelley Middleberg Glazer, a fan and benefactor from New Orleans.

When I tell folks the Glass Ball at the Knoxville Museum of Art was one of the best parties I’ve ever attended, many ask what made it so great. I think it was a combination of things.

• The setting. The refurbished museum is lovely. The marble floors, cracked from water damage and from heavy equipment used to hang the Dale Chihuly exhibit years ago, have been repaired thanks to a $6 million fundraising campaign. The north and south gardens have been given attention and are now awesome outdoor spaces. The sold-out $200-per-ticket party — attended by more than 500 people, including 150 from out-of-town — moved fluidly among the three locales.
• The food. I can’t even begin to tell you! Caterer Holly Hambright of Holly’s Eventful Dining truly outdid herself. There was a raw oyster bar, a sushi bar, a full buffet featuring fresh seafood, a carving station. And, on top of all that, passed hors d’oeuvres (which, by the way, included lobster corn dogs!) A dessert station featured a dozen different treats by Holly’s sister, Peggy Hambright, of Magpies. And, for the after-party, which started at 10, still another hot and cold buffet was brought out. Also important: plenty of full bars staffed by the great folks from The Pour Guys bartending service. The fact that the food and drink bars were spread throughout the three spaces made it fun to wander around and talk to a wide variety of guests.

• Christi Branscom, right, with her daughter, Grace Eakin.

  The music. The Streamliners provided big band swing for dancing, and Nancy Brennan Strange followed with soulful jazz and blues for the after-party. But you didn’t have to listen to the music. There was plenty of seating in all the areas for more intimate gatherings.

• The occasion. The reason for the party — and for all the festivities at the beginning of this month — was the opening of the permanent Richard Jolley installation, “Cycle of Life: Within the Power of Dreams and the Wonder of Infinity.” The Blue Streak has written extensively about this epic project, one of the largest figurative glass and steel assemblages in the world. Click here and here and here. But the official unveiling this month still was a breathtaking moment augmented by the stunning lighting of the project (provided by Knoxville’s own Bandit Lites).
• The guests. Nothing adds a festive atmosphere like a bunch of guys with wires in their ears talking into their sleeves! Yes, the Governor and First Lady were on hand (thus, the security). But so was Knoxville’s mayor and every major philanthropist and community supporter you can name. I’ve often said that Knoxville is like a big high school because everyone seems to know everyone else. If that’s the case, this was the over-the-top senior prom.

Hats off to Gay Lyons, chair of the committee that planned the party. And congrats to everyone associated with the Knoxville Museum of Art, a true community treasure, now shining more brightly than ever.

Ann and Steve Bailey with artist Tommie Rush, right, Richard Jolley’s wife. The Baileys commissioned the Jolley work, and the museum’s trustees have changed the name of the former Great Hall to the Ann and Steve Bailey Hall.

From left, City Councilman Finbarr Saunders, Ellen Bebb, Gov. Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam.

Sharon Pryse, left, with Natalie and Jim Haslam.

Mayor Madeline Rogero, center, with Dorothy and Caesar Stair III.

From left, Kevin and Meg Counts, Jimmy Haslam and Anita Tiburzi.

Dan McGehee and Gay Lyons

Whitney Haslam Johnson, left, and Cynthia Haslam Arnholt.

Former Knoxville Mayor and Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe, center, with Karen and Bob Gilbertson.

The happiest guy there! David Butler, executive director of the Knoxville Museum of Art.

From left, Dr. Michelle Brewer, Janet Testerman Crossley, Janet Testerman Creswell and Joey Creswell in the South Garden.

Here are those lobster corn dogs!

Holly even made the radishes delicious!

Mary Celeste and Sam Beall

Pete and Cindi DeBusk.

Richard Jolley gives a kiss on the head to Joan Allen.

Vicki Williams Baumgartner, left, with Mike Strickland and Allison Burchett of Bandit Lites.

Allison Lederer, right, with Laura and Mark Heinz.

Big crowd in the Ann and Steve Bailey Hall.

City Councilman (and former mayor) Dan and Cathy Brown.

Did they plan these outfits? Mayor Madeline Rogero with attorney and art enthusiast Don Bosch.

From left, Jim Begalla, Bill and Anne May, and Marty Begalla in the North Garden.

From left, Barbara Bernstein, Sherri Lee and Joan Cronan.

Jeanette Carlson and Sam Brewington in the South Garden.

Kay Clayton and Jim Martin.

Nancy and Stephen Land. His company, Jupiter Entertainment, has produced a documentary about the Jolley installation.

Doug Taber and Jennifer Holder.

Caterer Holly Hambright posing with a huge tray of crudites.

Part of the dessert table by Magpies.

These balls and the bird are made of spun sugar to mimic the Jolley exhibit. Very clever.

Tennessee’s good looking First Couple.

Julia and Gary Bentley.

Maureen Bosch, right, with Birgitta Clark and Ashley Capps.

Myron and Jayne Ely.

Wokie Massaquoi-Wicks, Stephen Wicks and Judy Fardon, in from Chicago. Stephen Wicks is curator of the Knoxville Museum of Art.

From left, Susan Brown, Mark Grayson, Scott and Annette Brun and a nice gentleman from Atlanta.

Joan Allen, right, with Milton and Mimi Turner.

Tom and Melanie Wood.

Joe Ben and Robin Turner.

The Tullock family. Seated, Polly Ailor and Laurens Tullock. Standing, Chyna Brackeen, Laurens’ daughter, and her hubby, Darrien Thomson.

Ted Smith and Lesley Rosenblatt.

Stuart Worden and Lane Hays.

The Streamliners

Bernie and Barbara Bernstein were among the first on the dance floor.

From left, Dr. Steve Brewington, Stephen Land and Bill Pittman.

Soy ginger shrimp was calling my name!

Pickled shrimp was refreshing.

How about the warm garlic Parmesan shrimp?

Or the Portuguese seafood salad. Yum, yum.

Loved the napkins.

Ryan and Elene Cazana.

Peter Acly cracks me up!

Mayor Madeline Rogero with Bernard Rosenblatt, the chair of the KMA Board of Trustees.

Lin Christenberry, left, Judy Morton.

Ellen Robinson, right, with Pamela and Dan Chips.

Ken Levine and Sheena McCall.

Michell Witt and Jim Clayton.

And the prize for most unusual male outfit! Here are Cathy and Mark Hill.

From left, Marsha and Duane Grieve, Natalie and Jim Haslam, and Peter Acly.

Gov. Bill Haslam and Lynne Fugate.

From left, the Very Rev. John Ross, Lois Ross, Gov. Bill and Crissy Haslam, Joe Pryse.

Judith and Michael Foltz.

Joe and Ruth Fielden.

Eddie Mannis and Allison Easterday.

From left, Craig Shelton, Tina Rolen and Bill Pittman.

Bob and Carole Martin.

At 10 p.m., Nancy Brennan Strange took the stage.

Tater tots and sliders were brought out (among other things).

Alan posed with the mayor.

And with his niece, Jeanette Carlson.

And we walked home after a terrific night of celebration.

The Plaid Apron offered biscuits named “Way Down Yonder in the Paw Paw Patch” on Biscuit Boulevard Saturday.

So said Food Network star Tyler Florence, who made an appearance in Knoxville this past weekend as part of the wildly successful International Biscuit Festival held downtown.

Florence’s show at the Tennessee Theatre on Sunday night, where he taped a podcast that he said will be put on his website in the next few days, was the climax of a series of unbelievably fun events that attracted more than 20,000 folks to the celebration of all things biscuit.

A party called The Biscuit Bash Friday night at The Standard kicked off the biscuit festivities just as the Southern Food Writing Conference, held Thursday and Friday, was closing out. Folks gathered to drink moonshine, beer and wine, meet some of the authors who had been in town for the writing conference, and listen to country music by Hank Williams’ granddaughter, Holly Williams, and 9-year-old Emi Sunshine, who was the opening act.

Saturday brought “Biscuit Boulevard,” a couple of blocks along Market Street, where for a $10 ticket, visitors could select five biscuits to sample from more than 20 vendors. The crush of biscuit lovers presented a veritable gridlock for several hours Saturday morning, but it was made bearable by an eclectic series of musical acts that played from the back of an antique flatbed truck set up at the corner of Market Street and Church Avenue (right beneath our bedroom window, but I’m not complaining).

There were baking contests and demonstrations from noon to 4 p.m. and, my favorite thing, the Blackberry Farm Biscuit Brunch set up in Krutch Park from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. A Miss or Mr. Biscuit Pageant also added to the entertainment options.

I agree with some others who said the footprint for this event might need to be a little larger next year to accommodate the ever-expanding crowd. This was the fifth year for the festival, and it is just so much darn fun it can’t help but grow. Apparently, there are an endless number of ways to enjoy a biscuit and nobody wants to miss any of them.

When we awakened at 8 a.m. on Saturday, the crowd already had begun to form. Biscuits weren’t available until 9 a.m.

Knoxville’s Tomato Head was passing out a biscuit named “Ms. Pearl.” It was a buttermilk biscuit with corn, tomato and Benton’s bacon.

The Hilton brought curry chicken salad biscuits.

Asheville’s Biscuit Head was giving out something called “Country Fried Dream.” It was country fried steak, tomato, arugula and gravy on top of a biscuit. Wow.

Applewood Farmhouse from Sevier County served “Granny’s Cran-apple Biscuits.”

Tupelo Honey Cafe offered this “Peach of a Chicken Biscuit” on Biscuit Boulevard.

Here’s Elizabeth Sims staffing the Tupelo Honey Cafe booth.

Mini sweet potato biscuits were offered by Highland Bakery from Atlanta.

Highland Bakery also turned out cute little mini sour cream biscuits.

Former magistrate Robert Murrian and his wife, Sue, are fellow downtown residents enjoying the festivities.

Knoxville’s Sundress Academy for the Arts had “Simon and Garfunkel Biscuits” with bourbon peach-glazed ham.

This is a pork belly and pear moonshine biscuit from Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop.

Nashville’s Capitol Grill had strawberry-rhubarb buttermilk biscuits.

Well, you get the idea! Yum, yum!

Here’s a look at the fun little party that kicked off everything on Friday evening.

Sugarlands Shine from Gatlinburg provided the moonshine portion of our libations.

Our buddies, from left, Erin Donovan, Becky Hancock and Angie Wilson.

Chef Matt Gallaher of Knox Mason kept our hunger at bay. These are his version of Saltine crackers with chicken liver pate and rhubarb conserves.

Shelton Farm asparagus tarts with Kentucky coppa from The Curehouse and smoked Cruze Farm creme fraiche.

Benton’s Bacon popovers, local ramp buttermilk cheese, marinated tiny tomatoes. Everyone raved about these.

Author Belinda Ellis, who was with White Lily Flour in Knoxville for 20 years, posed with her book titled, aptly, “Biscuits.”

Allyn Purvis Schwartz, left, with Barbara Apking.

From left, Melynda Whetsel, Allyn Purvis Schwartz, Chyna Brackeen, Jessie Boilin and John Schwartz.

Nine-year-old Emi Sunshine wowed us all. I loved it when she played “Folsom Prison Blues.”

She owned the room.

Emi fans.

Holly Williams. She was amazing, but made my friends and me cry with her sad, sad songs.

Sitting on the floor in the aisle there is John T. Edge. He is a writer, commentator and director of the Southern Foodways Alliance, an institute of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi. (Add Holly Williams’ fan to that list.)

The evening was a mellow and fitting launch to the International Biscuit Festival.

After Saturday morning’s stroll through Biscuit Boulevard, Alan and I were hungry as we headed over to Krutch Park for the Blackberry Farm Biscuit Brunch.

I took this sad picture on Gay Street. Boo.

But one look under the huge tent on Gay Street, and our spirits were lifted!

Clearly at the right spot!

Aren’t the centerpieces lovely?

A welcome sight: Antoinette Fritz with spicy Bloody Marys.

A perfect start. And I adore pickled okra.

Alan with the souvenir fan they gave us.

Co-chairs of the event: Judith Foltz, left, and Vicki Williams Baumgartner.

Pretty soon, guess what arrived!

Blackberry Farm Corporate Chef Josh Feathers told us what would be coming up.

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett was there with his girlfriend, Kelly Kimball, and her daughter, Isabelle.

The mayor likes to take selfies. This one is with Dino Cartwright.

At the Scripps table were Cindy McConkey, right, and Lori and Joe Hickok. Lori is Scripps’ executive vice president of finance.

Scripps Networks Interactive, owner of The Food Network where Tyler Florence stars on its number one rated show, “The Great Food Truck Race,” donated a portion of sales from Florence’s appearance to causes that fight hunger. At the Biscuit Brunch, Lori Hickok announced that Scripps would contribute $15,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, where she sits on the board, and $10,000 to Share Our Strength’s “No Kid Hungry” program.

Elaine Streno, executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, and her husband, Glenn.

A great crowd was on hand.

The Biscuit Queen, Erin Donovan, visited our table.

Sugar snap peas topped with pickled Louisiana crawfish, a pickled farm egg and greens from the Blackberry garden. It was a delicious start.

Angie and Grace Wilson between courses.

Melinda Meador and Milton McNally

From left, Booth Kammann, Kim Henry and Jennifer Holder.

Barbara Apking, left, and Susan Hyde

Back at our table with John and Allyn Purvis Schwartz.

Main course was slow roasted pork shoulder larded with pork belly, served on Falls Mills grits with Blackberry Farm cheeses, greens from the garden, pickled ramps, turnips and bread and butter pickles. Oh, and a pork rind on top!

Peter Acly and Ellen Robinson were in heaven when they saw this plate.

I peeked into the kitchen part of the tent to see all the desserts being prepared. Aren’t they something?

Here’s mine. Cruze Farm chocolate milk panna cotta with South Carolina strawberries. Unbelievable.

Chef Feathers introduced Krissy Blauvelt, the baker at Blackberry Farm.

We said goodbye to our friends Anita Lane, left, and Becky Hancock, and headed back to our condo for a nap!

Incredibly, they gave us peanut butter cookies to take home!

On Sunday, to finish off the festival, WBIR-TV news anchor Robin Wilhoit introduced Chef Tyler Florence at the Tennessee Theatre.

Florence took to the stage and interviewed John Craig, the founder of the Biscuit Festival, as well as Chef Feathers for his podcast.

A native of Greenville, South Carolina, Florence used a whipped cream maker to create biscuits that he cooked on an electric pancake griddle. He shared them with audience members, who loved them.

And there, folks, you have it. Be sure and come next year.

Want to read more about Biscuit Fest?

Click here for the News Sentinel story.

Click here for a blog post by The Urban Guy.

Click here for a blog post by my buddy Rusha Sams.

This is one of the great looks we saw at Wine, Women and Shoes.

Sometimes, the girls just need to get out and let off a little steam, right?

Recognizing this, the folks at Second Harvest Food Bank decided to provide just such an opportunity — and raise some much needed money for the cause at the same time. The event? “Wine, Women and Shoes,” a local fashion show, silent auction and evening out held at the cool new events venue, The Standard, on Jackson Avenue.

Moxley Carmichael purchased a VIP table at the event, which entitled us to reserved seating upstairs during the eating part of the evening and reserved chairs along the runway during the fashion show. Several of us hosted the table and filled it with clients and friends. As you will see, the VIP tables each were assigned a handsome young man to get drinks and run bids in for the ladies. (Thanks to Jeremiah LongBear, our go-to guy!)

The night was a hoot! The fashions were great. And all for a good cause, of course. Take a look and see what fashionable folks in Knoxville will be wearing this season.

Welcoming the guests were Rebecca Bailey, left, and Sally Cleveland from M.S. McClellan.

A sure-fire way for a sponsor to get noticed? Put your logo on the evening’s wine glasses! Smart thinking, Land Rover!

Lauren Miller, left, and Natalie Lester of Moxley Carmichael helped me host our guests.

Elaine Streno, executive director of Second Harvest, left, with Megan Venable, who was covering the event for the News Sentinel’s “People and Parties” column.

This looks like something out of “The Flintstones” TV show! I couldn’t do it!

The smoked chicken risotto martini was more my style. Yum.

The fondue was tempting, too.

It was a really good turnout. I think I even see a few men in there.

Evelyn Oberman, left, and Annette Winston

Janice Ann’s had a nice display.

Loved this cute dress from there.

One of the items at the silent auction was this big paddle board.

This collection of wine was attracting attention.

Leigh White of WBIR and John Montouri, who was showing off an auction item.

Jeannie Dulaney, right, was there with her daughter, Allison Dulaney.

From left, Tasha Stancell of glo-minerals makeup, Rhea Ennist and Ryann Tillman, both of Medi-Spa, a major sponsor of the event, along with CoolSculpting.

Carmen Williams, left, and Jill Camper

Ann Lockwood, left, and Mary Fran Darwin.

Jennifer Holder, center, with Chelsea Morgan, left, and Johnna Easter, both of Knoxville Magazine.

Upstairs where the VIP tables were located, we ran into our friends from Kelly Fletcher PR, who were hosting a table. From left, Katie Lane, Cheryl Ball, Kelly Fletcher, Lisa Bamford and Fran West.

Kara Anderson

Looking down at the runway. What a cool setting.

Galen Godbey was showing off some shoes from Janice Ann’s.

Some of our guests, from left, Judith Foltz, Mickey Mallonee, Monique Anderson and Gay Lyons.

And then it was time for the show. In the Moxley Carmichael seats, from left, Natalie Lester, Angela Thomas and Gay Lyons.

The clothes on the runway were from Janice Ann’s and Marc Nelson denim.

I love stripes.

Pretty casual look.

Love.

This looks very comfortable for summer.

Colorful.

From Marc Nelson.

More jeans.

Marc Nelson for guys.

Do you think they were just trying to be sure we stayed riveted to the runway?

Hmm.

Not entirely sure what was going on here.

Leigh White, right, with Nikitia Thompson enjoying the show.

Gay Lyons with our guy, Jeremiah LongBear.

Why is Johnna Easter so happy?

Because she bought a $50 raffle ticket and won $10,000 worth of stuff! Congrats!

As we left, we said goodbye to Aaron Snukals of Second Harvest and Claire Queisser of Runway Events.

U.S. House Speaker John Boehner making remarks on Saturday in Powell. Behind him are fundraiser host Pete DeBusk, left, and Congressman Jimmy Duncan.

U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, heaped praise upon Knoxville’s Republican Congressman Jimmy Duncan Saturday before a packed house at the Powell guest lodge of businessman Pete DeBusk and his wife, Cindi.

“You have show horses and you have workhorses,” Boehner said. “And Jimmy Duncan is a workhorse. Of course, in Washington, you also have sick horses and lame horses and lazy horses,” he joked.

Boehner, in Knoxville for only a few hours to attend the Duncan fundraiser, did not refer to Duncan’s primary opponent by name. But he did take a slam at the man’s supporters, who are members of the super right-wing Tea Party faction of the Republican party. “Jimmy Duncan is a conservative,” Boehner said. “But they are criticizing him because he is not crazy.”

Boehner, sometimes dubbed “the weeper of the House” because of his tendency to become emotional, paused briefly three times during his remarks to fight back tears. Each time the emotion came when he was talking about veterans on the Memorial Day weekend.

Congressman Jimmy Duncan introduced Speaker John Boehner.

But, at other times, Boehner was funny. Like when he described his job as Speaker as trying to successfully “get 218 frogs in a wheelbarrow,” referring to the number of votes necessary to pass a bill in the House of Representatives.

Boehner also spent a large part of his speech bashing President Barack Obama in front of the heavily partisan crowd.

In two substantive remarks he suggested that U.S. veterans should be given vouchers to allow them to be treated at any hospital in light of the present wait-time scandal in hospitals operated by the Veterans Administration, and he suggested that perhaps U.S. presidents should be limited to one five-year term rather than the current two four-year terms.

Boehner got a little surprise himself when he arrived at the DeBusk estate for a private meet-and-greet for large Republican contributors prior to the fundraiser in the lodge. Duncan and his wife, Lynn, had wanted to give Boehner a gift from Knoxville. So, on Friday prior to Boehner’s Saturday appearance, Duncan called his friend Richard Bryan, CEO of John H. Daniel custom tailors in Knoxville’s Old City, and asked Bryan to have a blazer made for Boehner. Duncan sent Boehner’s measurements and Bryan produced the blazer. When Duncan presented it to Boehner, it fit perfectly, said Bryan, who was on hand for the event.

After the fundraiser, the Duncans and Boehner, along with Boehner’s security detail, had dinner at Litton’s restaurant in Fountain City.

Jimmy Duncan has represented Tennessee’s 2nd congressional district since 1988.

Disclosure: My husband, Alan Carmichael, and I are friends and supporters of Duncan and served on the host committee for this event.

Lynn Duncan holds Boehner’s suit coat while he tries on his new blazer from John H. Daniel. (Photo by Bette Bryan)

John H. Daniel CEO Richard Bryan and his wife, Bette, with Speaker Boehner wearing his new blazer. “It fit perfectly!” Richard Bryan said. (Photo by Nazzy Hashemian)

From left, former Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist; his wife, Martha; Congressman Duncan; Bette and Richard Bryan. (Photo by Nazzy Hashemian)

Pete and Cindi DeBusk welcoming the crowd.

More than 200 folks were there.

Margaret Gaiter, left, with Lynn Duncan.

Pete DeBusk, right, with former state Rep. H.E. Bittle.

Speaker Boehner and Congressman Duncan working the rope line after the remarks.

That’s Knox County Commissioner Mike Hammond at center right.

Speaker Boehner greets dentist William Powell.

It was great to see former weathercaster Margie Ison with her husband, Jim.

Former UT Football coach Phillip Fulmer and his wife, Vicky.

Former state Rep. Charlie Severance and his wife, Phyllis.

If you needed signs or bumper stickers, there were plenty available.

From left, Shazzon and Tracey Bradley, Judy and Bill Vaughan.

Mike Strickland and Allison Burchett

Warren and Annelle Neel

From left, Steve Arendt, Hash Hashemian, Bill Regas and Janet Testerman Crossley.

Charlie Severance, left, greets Mark Blakely and Lonnie Strunk.

Ron Leadbetter, left, and Ken Gross

Nick and Lisa McBride

Nancy and Charles Wagner

Lynn Duncan, left, with Bo and Lisette Carey.

State Rep. Bill Dunn, right, with Liz and Wes Stowers.

From left, Jason and Whitney Brown with their daughter, Emma; Hallie and Zane Duncan. Whitney and Zane are two of the congressman’s four children.

State Rep. Steve Hall and his wife, Janet.

County Commissioner Mike Hammond, right, with sons Jack Ryan, left, and Seth Hammond.

Bill Pittman and Tina Rolen

Gerald Turner, left, with Mike and Sandy Boyd.

Doug and Melissa White

Former Knoxville City Councilman Larry Cox and his wife, Brenda.

Circuit Court Clerk Cathy Shanks and her husband, Greg.

County Commissioner-elect Bob Thomas and his wife, Kim.

Alan Carmichael and Charley Sexton of Moxley Carmichael, both of whom worked on the fundraiser.

John T. Edge, right, with writer and cookbook author Ronni Lundy during lunch at The Emporium during the first day of the Southern Food Writing Conference.

That’s what John T. Edge, director of the Southern Foodways Alliance, told 85 or so food writers and others gathered in Knoxville this month for the Southern Food Writing Conference.

Edge, a prolific writer himself based in Oxford, Mississippi, didn’t mince words in telling the food writers to quit being so nostalgic when writing about Southern food. “Dial back the romanticism,” he urged. “Food writing is a sneaky way to get at big issues: class, race, gender and sexuality. You have a responsibility to hook them with a biscuit and then hit them with a sucker punch.” Edge said our nostalgia for the South is a result of rapid change in the region.

Edge has been on the forefront of confronting racism through his writing. The theme for the whole year for the Southern Foodways Alliance has been looking at changes in Southern culture and Southern food since the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was 50 years ago.

Edge sees a shift in writing about Southern food. “We are now focusing on our natural resources — our human resources,” he said. “It’s a complicated region with a tragic history. We’ve told the wrong damn stories for a long time.” Edge urged the writers to profile busboys and home cooks instead of chefs and mixologists. “We need to pay down the debt of pleasure to generations that came before,” he said. “Cooks and farmers weren’t appreciated because they were poor or black or female.”

On the bright side, Edge said that the South is “hot” in the food world right now with the majority of James Beard Award winning chefs coming from Southern eateries in recent years and Southern cookbooks receiving wide acclaim. “This is our moment,” Edge said. “I knew that when a hoecake was on the cover of Bon Appetit!”

Edge offered a series of dos and don’ts to the authors:

• Do put faces on the region.
• Don’t call sweet tea the house wine of the South.
• Don’t call pimento cheese the pate of the South.
• Don’t call gumbo the bouillabaisse of the South.
• Do read the books of John Egerton. Start with “A Mind to Stay Here.”
• Do write about new immigrants as Southerners. “It’s a dynamic, evolving South,” he said.
• Do travel somewhere other than France to have your epiphany. (Ha!)
• Do write about sexuality and food. He used the book, “You’ve Put Worse Things in Your Mouth,” by Billi Gordon, as an example.

Tomorrow: other highlights from the Southern Food Writing Conference.

Click here for an overview of the 2014 Southern Food Writing Conference by my friend Mary Constantine of the News Sentinel.

Lunch crowd of food writers at The Emporium. This lunch was sponsored by Visit Knoxville.

Lunch caterer Holly Hambright of Holly’s Eventful Dining, left, with Mary Constantine, food editor of the News Sentinel.

How Southern is this offering, which was on the buffet?

Fiery pimento cheese deviled eggs were another option.

This is curry pork pie that Holly created from a recipe of chef Edward Lee of 610 Magnolia in Louisville, Kentucky. It was amazing. Warm with spices and full of flavor.