Frank Murphy interviews Jess Shepherd, Melissa Mijares, and Jim Piehl of the Fresh Start Home Project. The projects mission statement is "Restoring Homes. Renewing Hope." Their goal is to complete one major home transformation each year for a deserving family in East Tennessee by bringing together volunteers, skilled tradespeople, local businesses, and community leaders.

This year's inaugural project will take place on August 1, 2026 at the home of a longtime Farragut High School teacher who has dedicated the past 25 years to serving the community. The project will include new flooring, windows, painting, drywall repairs, fixture replacements, landscaping, and dozens of additional repairs. Volunteers can sign up to help at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fresh-start-home-project-knoxville-volunteer-sign-up-tickets-1989544956522

Fresh Start Home Project founder Jess Shepherd is a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty. Melissa Mijares is a certified financial planner with TVAMP Financial. Jim Piehl is the co-owner of JP Homes Construction. Learn more about Fresh Start Home Project at https://freshstartnox.org/

Frank Murphy interviews Jess Shepherd, Melissa Mijares, and Jim Piehl of the Fresh Start Home Project. The projects mission statement is "Restoring Homes. Renewing Hope." Their goal is to complete one major home transformation each year for a deserving family in East Tennessee by bringing together volunteers, skilled tradespeople, local businesses, and community leaders.
This year's inaugural project will take place on August 1, 2026 at the home of a longtime Farragut High School teacher who has dedicated the past 25 years to serving the community. The project will include new flooring, windows, painting, drywall repairs, fixture replacements, landscaping, and dozens of additional repairs. Volunteers can sign up to help at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fresh-start-home-project-knoxville-volunteer-sign-up-tickets-1989544956522
Fresh Start Home Project founder Jess Shepherd is a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty. Melissa Mijares is a certified financial planner with TVAMP Financial. Jim Piehl is the co-owner of JP Homes Construction. Learn more about Fresh Start Home Project at https://freshstartnox.org/

East Tennessee Now is a community oriented public affairs program designed to address local problems and issues and explore possible or existing solutions. The program features community leaders, representatives of area non-profits, healthcare professionals and other experts in their respective fields.

East Tennessee Now

Fresh Start Home Project

Frank Murphy interviews Rebecca Gomez and David Snow of Theatre Knoxville Downtown, located at 800 S. Central Street in Knoxville. Rebecca is directing and David is starring as Mortimer Brewster in TKD's production of Arsenic and Old Lace, which opens on Friday, July 24, 2026 and runs through August 9, 2026. Tickets and information are available at https://theatreknoxville.com/arsenic-and-old-lace/

TKD's 2026-27 season continues with
The Iliad, The Odyssey, and all of Greek Mythology in 99 Minutes or Less
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
Boeing Boeing
The Pillowman
The Picture of Dorian Gray

Theatre Knoxville Downtown, is Knoxville’s oldest continuously operating, non-academic, all-volunteer, non-profit community theater. Information about season tickets, auditions, volunteer opportunities, and other ways to support TKD is available at https://theatreknoxville.com/ 

Frank Murphy interviews Rebecca Gomez and David Snow of Theatre Knoxville Downtown, located at 800 S. Central Street in Knoxville. Rebecca is directing and David is starring as Mortimer Brewster in TKD's production of Arsenic and Old Lace, which opens on Friday, July 24, 2026 and runs through August 9, 2026. Tickets and information are available at <a href="https://theatreknoxville.com/arsenic-and-old-lace/">https://theatreknoxville.com/arsenic-and-old-lace/</a>
TKD's 2026-27 season continues with
<ul>
<li>The Iliad, The Odyssey, and all of Greek Mythology in 99 Minutes or Less</li>
<li>Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors</li>
<li>I&rsquo;ll Be Home for Christmas</li>
<li>Boeing Boeing</li>
<li>The Pillowman</li>
<li>The Picture of Dorian Gray</li>
</ul>
Theatre Knoxville Downtown, is Knoxville&rsquo;s oldest continuously operating, non-academic, all-volunteer, non-profit community theater. Information about season tickets, auditions, volunteer opportunities, and other ways to support TKD is available at <a href="https://theatreknoxville.com/">https://theatreknoxville.com/</a>&nbsp;

Theatre Knoxville Downtown

Frank Murphy interviews Jenny Flatford, artistic director of the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association, and Rebecca Renegar, a member of the ORCBA board of directors. A fundraiser for the organization, titled "Behind the Curtain," will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge. The event features performances by their current company of dancers as well as by alumni. There will also be a silent auction, food, and drinks. Tickets must be purchased by July 27th at https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/ZDPDT7MSHTYUJ

The Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association was organized in 1963 and holds the longest existing dance charter in the state of Tennessee. ORCBA is a nonprofit community arts organization dedicated to the education and production of ballet arts. ORCBA is designed to stimulate a wider appreciation of dance, develop local dance talent, and bring quality professional performances to Oak Ridge and the surrounding communities.
​
The organization supports dancers  ages 6  and up who have successfully auditioned for the productions and are taking additional training at recognized area dance schools. Participation in the productions provides the developing artist with an opportunity for group study in technical skills and ensemble performance, while also enabling the community to enjoy their talents at annual performances. Learn more about the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association at http://www.orcba.org/

Frank Murphy interviews Jenny Flatford, artistic director of the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association, and Rebecca Renegar, a member of the ORCBA board of directors. A fundraiser for the organization, titled "Behind the Curtain," will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge. The event features performances by their current company of dancers as well as by alumni. There will also be a silent auction, food, and drinks. Tickets must be purchased by July 27th at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/ZDPDT7MSHTYUJ">https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/ZDPDT7MSHTYUJ</a>
The Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association was organized in 1963 and holds the longest existing dance charter in the state of Tennessee. ORCBA is a nonprofit community arts organization dedicated to the education and production of ballet arts. ORCBA is designed to stimulate a wider appreciation of dance, develop local dance talent, and bring quality professional performances to Oak Ridge and the surrounding communities. ​ The organization supports dancers &nbsp;ages 6&nbsp; and up who have successfully auditioned for the productions and are taking additional training at recognized area dance schools. Participation in the productions provides the developing artist with an opportunity for group study in technical skills and ensemble performance, while also enabling the community to enjoy their talents at annual performances. Learn more about the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association at http://www.orcba.org/

Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association

Frank Murphy interviews Susan Unbehaun, Executive Director of Ladies of Charity Knoxville, and Lisa Daley, Vice President of the board of directors. The mission of Ladies of Charity Knoxville is to provide emergency assistance to those in need. They operate a thrift store and food pantry at120 W. Baxter Avenue in Knoxville. The food pantry is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. while supplies last. Learn more at https://www.ladiesofcharityknox.org/ 

The thrift store will celebrate "Christmas in July" by selling holiday décor, clothing, and other items from June 27 to July 11. The thrift store is open Mondays through Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The annual Ladies of Charity Fashion Show will be held on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Gregory's Auditorium on the campus of Knoxville Catholic High School, 9245 Fox Lonas Road in Knoxville. A $5 donation is requested at the door. RSVPs are encouraged at https://www.ladiesofcharityknox.org/2026-fashion-show 

Frank Murphy interviews Susan Unbehaun, Executive Director of Ladies of Charity Knoxville, and Lisa Daley, Vice President of the board of directors. The mission of Ladies of Charity Knoxville is to provide emergency assistance to those in need. They operate a thrift store and food pantry at120 W. Baxter Avenue in Knoxville. The food pantry is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. while supplies last. Learn more at <a href="https://www.ladiesofcharityknox.org/">https://www.ladiesofcharityknox.org/</a>&nbsp;
The thrift store will celebrate "Christmas in July" by selling holiday d&eacute;cor, clothing, and other items from June 27 to July 11. The thrift store is open Mondays through Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The annual Ladies of Charity Fashion Show will be held on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Gregory's Auditorium on the campus of Knoxville Catholic High School, 9245 Fox Lonas Road in Knoxville. A $5 donation is requested at the door. RSVPs are encouraged at <a href="https://www.ladiesofcharityknox.org/2026-fashion-show">https://www.ladiesofcharityknox.org/2026-fashion-show</a>&nbsp;

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