Just gave a weird press conference.

UPDATE: MSNBC

Ruby Patterson playing the role of Betsy Ross sewing our nation's first flag

Flags, anvil shoots, and music

Three times during the day at Museum of Appalachia, Link..., gunpowder is packed under the anvil and ignited. The anvil bursts from a cloud of smoke, sometimes catapulted as high as the treetops. The earth literally shakes, and the deafening boom, it is said, can be heard as far as 15 miles away. This early form of fireworks has been re-enacted each July 4 for some 17 years at the Museum. At the Museum on July 4, the anvil shoot will take place at 10 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m. Festivities run from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with special music, demonstrations of pioneer skills, patriotic ceremonies, and summertime fare. Ruby Patterson will play the role of Betsy Ross sewing our nation’s first flag.

Sherrie

David Dwayne Lyons
Santorini
photograph

The Emporium Center, Link..., at 100 S. Gay Street has an opening reception, 5-9pm, for its new exhibition, in the Balcony, featuring works by seven local artists.

Blount Mansion, Link..., will host a reception for the Smoky Mountain Quilters. Live jazz with the BBC trio, tours of Blount Mansion, wine and hor d’ oeuvres. This event is free and open to the public. Blount Mansion Visitors Center, 200 W. Hill Ave.

Sherrie

Wendell Potter, an ex- health insurance company exec, testifies to the Senate that we heard the same undelivered promises from private industry 15 years ago. When people repeat to you talking points about socialized medicine,

One of our volunteer sunflower natural feeders.

Do ya'll think there are enough Knoxviews readers with great zucchini recipes to get we zucchini growers through the entire growing season without having to use the same recipe twice?

The need for the IOUs rose during California's recent budget crisis, in which the state's deficit reached $24.3 billion. State officials have said that 28,742 IOUs worth $53.3 million will be printed.

As of today, the IOUs will be redeemable on October 2. Some banks (Wells Fargo, Bank of America, ), and Chase are accepting the IOUs.

Acceptance means that, in effect, the banks are floating loans to the state for the value of the IOUs. Indeed, the state said Thursday it would pay an annual interest rate of 3.75 percent on IOUs, which must be redeemed by the state by Oct. 2.

This is the second time this has happened since the Depression (the first time was apparently in 1992). Let's hope the Federal Government will continue to print money.

State Sen. Jim Kyle (D-Memphis) has filed to run for governor. Kleinheider has the scoop.

In case this helps somebody figure out something that had me scratching my head, here's how you setup a wireless router as a wireless access point (WAP).

TNDP chair Chip Forrester says Robin Smith "and her shameless lapdog Bill Hobbs have already demonstrated that they will do and say anything to win an elected office." Oh, my.

Full press release after the jump...

Scott Barker has a disturbing report regarding testimony that an engineer's field notes on the final Kingston coal ash containment pond inspection before the failure somehow went missing.

Further, the inspection report was apparently "polished" by a PR flack:

Buttram also said in his deposition that a "TVA Media" employee named Jessica Stone edited the report, which went through four drafts, because employees knew "that it would be seen by the public." Buttram confirmed that later drafts did not include language Buttram had used in the original draft, including his recommendation to make repairs "immediately."

The Athletic Department has setup their own separate fund and you have to direct donations to them if you want to be eligible to purchase sports tickets.

In related news, a beloved football folk hero has fallen from grace.

Lunch in a (compostable) cup

After all the fuss about The Glowing Bowl, I decided to try it out. That coincided with my being bedridden for several days with a high fever and low appetite. When I was finally able to trek out, I decided to go for something that would be healthy and nourishing, so I tried the new neighborhood eatery. On recommendation, I ordered the Green Lemonade, a 12-ounce concoction that is bright green and contains organic lemons, romaine lettuce, cale, ginger and apple, all pulverized to combine into a thick drink so unique in taste I can hardly describe it.

Satisfied, I went back today and, on recommendation of another diner, ordered the Seasonal Special. Pale orange in color, this hand-crafted "juice" contains organic oranges, pineapple, banana, coconut and agave, a natural sweetener. Heavenly.

For $8.25 plus tax - the price of a burger, fries and cola - you can walk away feeling full and well nourished. The service was efficient and friendly, and the atmosphere calm and quiet. The plastic cup, made of cornstarch, was compostable, and the napkin recyclable.

And she's apparently a little thin-skinned about it.

• Tom Humphrey: Haslam Raised $3.8 Million, Wamp $1.2 Million

• Klenheider: Ramsey raises $1 million+ in 12 days

• Democrats announcing ahead of filing deadline: <crickets>

Boyd Cloud Saturday Morning Democrat Club
8:00 a.m., July 4, 2009 @ Shoney’s on Western Avenue

Guest Speaker: Commissioner Amy Broyles

I’d like to invite you to attend Knox County’s oldest Democrat club this Saturday morning for an “open forum” to discuss the 2010 race for governor, local and state races, the upcoming city council election, and any other political topic you might have on your mind these days. The club - moderated by State Democratic Executive Committee member Gayle Alley - considered canceling this month’s meeting in deference to the holiday, but decided we’d meet anyway and invite any Democrat - yellow dog or blue dog or liberal, moderate or conservative - to attend and engage in what is often a lively discussion of local, state and national politics.

So, if you are a supporter of an announced Democratic candidate for governor – Kim McMillan, Ward Cammack, Mike McWherter or State Sen. Roy Herron – or are holding out for someone yet to announce – like State Sen. Jim Kyle or Knoxville lawyer Gordon Ball – and want to make a "pitch" for your candidate or learn more about the candidates, come on down. We’ll also discuss other topics of current interest – Bill Lockett’s possible ouster or resignation, redistricting, new Tennessee laws that kicked in today, etc. – and invite you to discuss any other political issue or ask questions.

• Knoxville: Festival on the Fourth

• Lenoir City: Rockin' the Docks!

• Oak Ridge: Fireworks at the Marina

• Pigeon Forge: Patriot Festival

• Gatlinburg: Fireworks Finale

• Kingston: Fireworks on the water

Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN7) cosponsers birther bill.

Go shopping at the Dumplin Creek Wal*Mart!

Rumors are circulating that GM will build Escalades at shuttered Spring Hill plant.

Scanning down this ranking of states by rate of adult obesity one pattern stands out: the fattest states in America voted for McCain and the thinnest voted for Obama.

Link...

Here are the top 10 fattest states:

Special election called. Kleinheider has the details. As he notes, this will be a battleground, and Republicans have a chance to put another notch on their slim majority pistol.

UPDATE: Sean Braisted looks at the numbers in the district and predicts an uphill battle for Democrats. (The earlier John Litz announcement doesn't help, either.)

UPDATE: Tom Humprey reports that Curt Cobb's brother Ty will run for the seat. How cool would it be for a state legislature to have not one but two representatives named Ty Cobb?

The FDIC recently announced the establishment of the East Coast Temporary Satellite Office (ECTSO) located in a suburban area in south Jacksonville, Florida.

Generally, the FDIC is looking for individuals with financial institution experience that demonstrates skill and ability in any of the following: financial statement analysis; loan liquidation/workout; negotiable instruments; economics; accounting; marketing; and finance.

These could be opportunities for out-of-work financial analysts, bankers, etc. I would think the jobs pay fairly well.

Seriously? Seems like Corker ought to be worried about even keeping his Senate seat. Ask the folks in Spring Hill what they think.

City ordinance would force homeless off Knoxville walkways
Link...

Snark:
City Ordinance Would Force Hopeless Politicians Out of Knoxville
Policy primarily aimed at keeping county politicians from asking for handouts
Link...