Joe Sullivan in Insights endorses Bill Haslam for mayor of Knoxville, Guest Column-ist Larry Franks, the county's new library director, examines the interconnectivity that governs us all, and Jack Neely wraps up a summer murder mystery that turns ugly in Secret History.
Citybeat
Paige Travis tells how the Bijou Theatre gains a reprieve from its financial crisis, and Joe Tarr files a demographic report on the favorites' contributors in the city mayor's race.
Cover — TVA at a Crossroads
With TVA's stewardship of its seven-state region blanketed by environmental and financial concerns, its electric rates up, its nuclear activities in question, and politicians clamoring to revise its management and expand its board of directors, the agency enters its eighth decade in turbid waters. Barry Henderson catches up with all the clamoring controversies, and reports on the ways the massive public utility is dealing with them.
Gamut — DIY Invasion
As Adrienne Martini's home gets a makeover, she has the chance to go behind the scenes of To the Rescue, cable's latest attempt to cash in on the decorating sub-genre of reality shows. She takes advantage of the opportunity to describe the experience.
Music
John Sewell has a thoughtful conversation with former Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt frontman Jay Farrar, and Paige M. Travis resists the temptation to reveal her infatuation with Pernice Brothers' Joe Pernice to the songwriter himself.
Backstage
The soulful country songs of Always...Patsy Cline strike at the heart of Paige Travis.
Pulp
The Lovely Bones leaves Jeanne McDonald a little less than satisfied.
Movie Guru
The Secret Lives of Dentists shares no secrets really, but the level of fantasy gives the film something, well, to chew on. Movie Blurbs, p. 36: The Metro Pulse Movie BlurbsĒ: "Who gives a bleepin' blurb, really?"
Spotlights
Tab Benoit brings his blues stylings to Brackins Blues Club in Maryville and Paige Travis believes it'll be worth the drive. New City Merchants hosts an exhibition of Aboriginal art from the Mbantua Gallery of Alice Springs, Australia. Joe Tarr looks forward ever-fondly to the Tennessee Valley Fair.
Shaken and Stirred by Adrienne Martini. Mamahood, Chapter One.
Through the Grapevine by Dennis Perkins. Yellow is the tail of the tale.
Urban Renewal by Matt Edens. Survey says...downtown's in
Sports by Tony Basilio. University administrations and athletic departments are "jumping the shark."
News of the Weird
Classifieds
Crossword by Montford Manassas
Life in Hell by Matt Groening.
Astrology by Rob Brezsny. The Free Will version.