How does TRI stack up against Florida?

We initially established that TRI (Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol) ranks higher than any other metro area in Tennessee.

We then examined…

· the Pacific Coast and saw that TRI outpaced Seattle, San Francisco, Napa and Sacramento.

· the Mountain West and realized that TRI outscored hot markets like Vegas, Phoenix and Boulder.

· the Midwest and learned that TRI outscored Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus, Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland.

· the Northeast and New England, and establishing that TRI was very comparable to Boston or Philadelphia and outscored well-publicized markets like Providence, Baltimore, and Burlington VT.

· the South and found that TRI outranked many of the hottest southern markets like Charlotte, Greenville/Spartanburg, Greensboro/Winston-Salem, Savannah, Louisville, Lexington and Birmingham.

Today, we’ll look at Florida. Why should we focus on Florida? Because the U.S. Census Bureau projects that three states — Florida, California and Texas — will account for nearly one-half (46 percent) of total U.S. population growth between 2000 and 2030. Consequently, Florida, now the fourth most populous state, would edge past New York into third place in total population by 2011; California and Texas would continue to rank first and second, respectively, in 2030.

Florida’s population (16 million) is already 2.8 times the population of Tennessee. By 2030, it’s expected to add another 12.7 million residents (2.2 times again more than Tennessee’s current population). Physically, the states are roughly the same size.

Can you imagine taking every living, breathing soul from the Smoky Mountains to the Mississippi River, multiplying them by 2.8 then adding another 12.7 million residents? By 2030, that will be Florida!

Tri-Cities (Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol) is very comparable to Naples, Gainesville, Fort Lauderdale, Ocala, Melbourne-Titusville-Palm Bay, Daytona Beach and West Palm Beach-Boca Raton.

TRI significantly outranks Miami, Lakeland-Winter Haven, Orlando, Fort Walton Beach, Fort Pierce-Port St Lucie, Fort Myers-Cape Coral, Pensacola, Tallahassee, Panama City and Jacksonville.

We rarely give ourselves enough credit!

No matter how you slice it, Tri-Cities, TN/VA is a great place to live!

Cities Ranked & Rated: Your Guide to the Best Places to Live in the U.S. & Canada provides timely facts and unbiased information on over 400 U.S. and 30 Canadian cities in an easy-to-access format. Whether you're mulling over the idea of relocating, trying to decide where to start out, or just curious about how your hometown stacks up, you’ll be intrigued by Cities Ranked & Rated. In addition to providing population statistics, each city is ranked on a number of essential factors, many of which are of vital interest in today's economy. Categories include: economy and jobs, cost of living, climate, education, health and health care, crime, transportation, leisure, and arts and culture. Easy-to-use tables help you put this wealth of information to work to find the city that best suits your special needs and interests.

Best Places to Live -- TRI compared to Florida
2005 Source: http://www.bestplaces.net/
National Rank	Metro area
43	Sarasota-Bradenton, FL
48	Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
49	Punta Gorda, FL
53	Naples, FL
56	Gainesville, FL
57	Fort Lauderdale, FL
58	Ocala, FL
64	Melbourne-Titusville-Palm Bay, FL
66	Daytona Beach, FL
69	West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, FL
77	Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
125	Miami, FL
126	Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
134	Orlando, FL
152	Fort Walton Beach, FL
163	Fort Pierce-Port St. Lucie, FL
220	Fort Myers-Cape Coral, FL
239	Pensacola, FL
249	Tallahassee, FL
252	Panama City, FL
318	Jacksonville, FL

2005 Downtown Kingsport Holiday Gingerbread House Contest

-----Original Message-----
Jeff,

Attached is information regarding the upcoming DKA Gingerbread House
contest. Please distribute it to your e-list.

If you could get a first mail out done fairly soon that would be great
since the entry forms have to be returned by Nov. 18. Also, if you
would not mind putting out a "tickler reminder" about 10 days later, we
would be most appreciative.

So far we have had lots of interest ranging from professional chefs to
Girl Scout Brownies. Our primary goals are having fun and building
community---and we believe that we're going to have lots of fun! The
creativity and talent in our region is outstanding!

The photos are of gingerbread houses made by Chef Armand Celentano.

Many thanks,
Kathleen

2005 Downtown Kingsport Holiday Gingerbread House Contest

On December 3, 2005, we will be having our DKA Holiday Gingerbread House
Contest. It will coincide with the Downtown Merchants' Open House and
Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. The houses will be on display in the
AmSouth Bank lobby on Church Circle throughout the holiday season, until
January 2, 2006.

We are very fortunate to be so close to the home of the National
Gingerbread House Show in Asheville, NC. It is a big hit and major
tourist venue, in addition to providing local interest, since there are
many gingerbread enthusiasts that tour the country visiting gingerbread
house shows.

In our show, gingerbread house categories will be: Traditional,
Non-traditional, and, Kingsport Heritage Buildings. Contestant
categories will be: Youth (ages 12 and under), Teen (ages 13-17), Adult
(ages 18 and up), and Professional. Prizes will be offered. Entry
forms and contest details are available from: DKA, 140 West Main
Street; Mary's Kitchen Shop, 202 East Center Street; or on-line at
www.downtownkingsport.org. Entry forms must be returned by Friday,
November 18.

Gingerbread house specifications include its size, which cannot exceed 2
feet high, 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep, including the plywood base.
Additionally, entries must be made primarily of gingerbread and made
entirely with edible products, except for the base. All candies and
other food products must be unwrapped and free of any inedible materials
(such as lollipop sticks, etc). Entries will be disqualified if there
are any artificial display or construction materials, including
Styrofoam and interior lighting. Judging will be in five categories:
Appearance, Creativity, Difficulty, Precision, and Theme.

Gingerbread house cookbooks and videos are available at the Kingsport
Public Library. Please join us, either as cooks or admirers, in this
wonderful opportunity for community building, attracting people into our
downtown, and just having some fun and family entertainment.

Our Holiday Gingerbread House team includes: Suzanne Payne, Chair, with
Mary Shull, Kathleen Beine, Pat Houchins, Tina Norris, Linda Fontaine,
and Lisa Childress.

For more information, please contact DKA, tel: 246-6550.

Business opp: Eastman Road opposited DBHS Band Facility

I bumped into Jim Wells the other day and offered to spread the word. He has 6,300 sf of prime space opposite the new DBHS Band Building and practice field on Eastman Road that will become available in the near future. It’s an excellent location on a prime crosstown connector street midway between Fort Henry Mall and East Stone Commons. Personally, I think it would be a great opportunity for a local coffee shop / bookstore (see Hibbert-Davis post below!).

Contact: David Prince 423-230-0255

Business opp: Kingsport's Hibbert-Davis Coffee Gallery for sale

I frequent Hibbert-Davis and offered to help spread the word. This is truly one of Kingsport’s gems. I hope someone snatches it up soon! – Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: Morgan King [mailto:morgan@morganking.org]

Jeff, Here is the info on the coffee shop. Thanks for your help! Morgan King

“It’s a business doing pleasure with you!` That’s what you’ll be telling your customers as the new owner of Hibbert - Davis Coffee Shop and Art Gallery in Kingsport. As Seen in `Marque Magazine` *Voted Best Coffee* and Times News Reader`s Choice, Voted *Best Coffee House* This well established business is located at the Center St. / Ft. Henry Drive split. Hibbert - Davis offers a wide variety of coffees, teas, pastries and sandwiches in a warm relaxing atmosphere. Local artists use it as a gallery to both display and sell their masterpieces. Hibbert - Davis is a regular gathering place for both young and old. They stop by for a quick drink on the go or to relax with a beverage and a good book by the fireplace. Each week the private room is used for business meetings, parties and even mahjong. The landlord of the building is willing to continue to lease to the new owners, or if you wish, you can move the business to a new location. (Building NOT included) $129,000

Johnson's Depot website highlights Johnson City's history

-----Original Message-----
From: Clifton, Calvin Clifton@andassoc.com


http://www.johnsonsdepot.com/

Take a look at this site. It's a historical site about Johnson City.
It
was designed and is updated by Alan Bridwell.

Calvin D. Clifton
Municipal Projects Manager
Anderson & Associates, Inc.
240 E. Main Street, Ste. 300
Johnson City TN 37604
clifton@andassoc.com
(800) 544-0147
(423) 434-2971
(423) 434-9514 (fax)

"Celtic Air" group seeks venues

-----Original Message-----
From: Angela Wampler [mailto:artsmagazine@earthlink.net]

Please reply to: "Celtic Air" celtic_air@hotmail.com

Celtic Air, a group of young musicians from throughout the Tri-Cities region, has had a couple of cancellations due to the gas $ problem. If you know of a performing venue that might like to have us play in November or December, please let us know. We now have some open dates.

Thanks!
Jane MacMorran
Director, Celtic Air

Tri-Cities Lutheran churches seek donations to buy toys for hurricane victims

-----Original Message-----
From: The Whitlocks [mailto:whitlocks@chartertn.net]

Dear friends in the media,

Attached, please find a news release on a project Tri-Cities area Lutheran churches have begun. The churches are accepting tax-deductible financial donations that will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000 to be used to purchase toys from a national toy manufacturer and distributor. Those toys will be delivered to the Mississippi Gulf Coast for distribution throughout the areas in Mississippi and Alabama devastated by hurricane Katrina.

Your publication or broadcast of this information is much appreciated. If you would like to arrange for interviews with the project coordinators, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me. My phone number is (423) 360-3201.

Thank you for your kind consideration.

=================

For immediate release

Contact: Becky Whitlock, (423) 360-3201, whitlocks@chartertn.net

Area Lutheran churches accepting donations for toys’ purchase

Tri-Cities area Lutheran churches are accepting monetary donations to go toward the purchase of new toys as Christmas gifts for children in the Mississippi Gulf Coast area affected by hurricane Katrina.

The churches jointly have agreed to match, dollar for dollar, donations up to $5,000.

Representatives of the churches have approached a national toy manufacturer and distributor about purchasing the new toys. Once purchased, the toys will be delivered to Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Ocean Springs, Miss., in time for Christmas.

Christus Victor Lutheran Church is serving as a distribution center for the Gulf Coast region, and toys delivered there will be given to children throughout the areas of Mississippi and Alabama affected the storm.

Only donations of money will be accepted for this project. No toys can be accepted.

The churches accepting financial donations are in Kingsport, Holy Trinity, 800 Broad St., and Concordia, 725 Truxton Drive; in Blountville, Immanuel, 191 Central Heights Road; in Bristol, Tenn., Faith Evangelical, 2909 Weaver Pike; in Bristol, Va., Redeemer, 672 Island Road; and in Johnson City, Our Saviour, 212 Sunset Drive, and Bethlehem, 201 E. Watauga Ave.

Donations, which should be received by Tuesday, Nov. 15, may be delivered or mailed to any of the churches and earmarked “Hurricane Katrina gifts for children.” Donations are tax-deductible.

For more information, call the Rev. Tom Quickel, Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, at 878-4831 or David Emmel, Thrivent Financial, at 764-5104.

-- end -

2005/10/27-31 The Scariest Halloween Attraction in Tri-Cities

-----Original Message-----
From: Eallenwish@aol.com [mailto:Eallenwish@aol.com]

http://www.kronehouse.net/

Bristol's Haunted House! 10% goes to Make-A-Wish Foundation of East Tennessee.

At Thunder Valley Campground near Bristol Motor Speedway.

check dates on website. Thur- Sun and Halloween.

Elise Allen
Make-A-Wish Foundation®
of East Tennessee
Upper East Tennessee Coordinator
423-967-5948
eallenwish@aol.com

2005/11/24 "Family and Friends: with the Booher Family, Twin Springs, and the Fritts Family

-----Original Message-----
From: Angela Wampler [mailto:artsmagazine@earthlink.net]

Blue Ridge Public TV revises "Song of the Mountains" Schedule

10.27.2005

Blue Ridge Public Television (BRPT, Channel 8 in Bristol) has revised the broadcast schedule for "Song of the Mountains," a concert series that showcases old-time and bluegrass music from the heart of the region where it all began. Live concerts were taped at The Lincoln Theatre, many for later broadcast on BRPT and for distribution to PBS stations nationwide.

The revised schedule follows:

Thursday, November 10 at 10 p.m.
"Old School Spirit" with Mac Puckett & the Good Company Band, Appalachian Trail, and the VW Boys

Thursday, November 17 at 10 p.m.
"Medley of Talent" with the Larkin Family, Fire in the Kitchen, Jim Lloyd & Acoustic Mayhem

Thursday, November 24 at 10 p.m.
"Family and Friends" with the Booher Family, Twin Springs, and the Fritts Family

Thursday, December 15 at 10 p.m.
"Old Time Traditions" with The Wolfe Brothers, Cripple Creek Renegades, and Tommy Freeman

"Song of the Mountains" will continue with new episodes Thursdays, December 22 and Thursday, December 29.

"Song of the Mountains" captures the essence of the region's musical heritage in a live concert setting – similar to the enormously popular "Austin City Limits" and "Soundstage" concert series on PBS. Audience members and their enthusiasm for the region's music are integral to the success of the broadcasts. Behind-the-scenes film will be included in DVDs of the programs.

In addition to regional broadcasts on BRPT, the National Educational Telecommunications Association will distribute "Song of the Mountains" to more than 90 PBS member stations nationwide.

The Lincoln Theatre was selected one of eight winners this year in The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant competition for asset-based economic development. Support for Song of the Mountains is incorporated within this grant award.

The Lincoln Theatre also received an economic development grant from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission to continue production in the Song of the Mountains series.

For more information, to request a program calendar of events, or to purchase "Song of the Mountains" tickets by VISA or MasterCard, call the Lincoln Theatre, 276-783-6093 or visit their website: www.songofthemountains.org.

How does TRI stack up against the South (execept FL & TX)?

We initially established that TRI (Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol) ranks higher than any other metro area in Tennessee. 

 

We then examined…

 

·         the Pacific Coast and saw that TRI outpaced Seattle, San Francisco, Napa and Sacramento. 

·         the Mountain West and realized that TRI outscored hot markets like Vegas, Phoenix and Boulder. 

·         the Midwest and learned that TRI outscored Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus, Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland.

·         the Northeast and New England, establishing that TRI was very comparable to Boston or Philadelphia and outscored well-publicized markets like Providence, Baltimore, and Burlington VT.

 

Today, we’ll look at the South minus FL & TX (who have grown so large they warrant their own category) and TN (which we previously examined).

 

Tri-Cities (Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol) ranks higher than some of the hottest southern markets like Charlotte, Greenville/Spartanburg, Greensboro/Winston-Salem, Savannah, Louisville, Lexington and Birmingham.

 

We rarely give ourselves enough credit!

 

No matter how you slice it, Tri-Cities, TN/VA is a great place to live!

 

 

Cities Ranked & Rated: Your Guide to the Best Places to Live in the U.S. & Canada provides timely facts and unbiased information on over 400 U.S. and 30 Canadian cities in an easy-to-access format. Whether you're mulling over the idea of relocating, trying to decide where to start out, or just curious about how your hometown stacks up, you’ll be intrigued by Cities Ranked & Rated. In addition to providing population statistics, each city is ranked on a number of essential factors, many of which are of vital interest in today's economy. Categories include: economy and jobs, cost of living, climate, education, health and health care, crime, transportation, leisure, and arts and culture. Easy-to-use tables help you put this wealth of information to work to find the city that best suits your special needs and interests.

 

 

 

Best Places to Live -- TRI compared to South (except FL & TX)
2005 Source: www.bestplaces.net
National Rank	Metro area
1	Charlottesville, VA
7	Atlanta, GA
8	Asheville, NC
11	Roanoke, VA
13	Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
15	Lynchburg, VA
17	Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Newport News, VA-NC
26	Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV
27	Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR
34	Athens, GA
50	Columbia, SC
55	Richmond-Petersburg, VA
63	Charleston-North Charleston, SC
77	Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
80	Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, SC
81	Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, NC
82	Jacksonville, NC
86	Goldsboro, NC
91	Lexington, KY
98	Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC
99	Little Rock-North Little Rock, AR
103	Knoxville, TN
109	Memphis, TN-AR-MS
110	Columbus, GA-AL
111	Tuscaloosa, AL
139	New Orleans, LA
156	Savannah, GA
164	Augusta-Aiken, GA-SC
167	Louisville, KY-IN
172	Wilmington, NC
174	Mobile, AL
178	Jackson, MS
180	Greenville, NC
192	Auburn-Opelika, AL
193	Parkersburg-Marietta, WV-OH
206	Nashville, TN
209	Decatur, AL
210	Chattanooga, TN-GA
215	Clarksville-Hopkinsville, TN-KY
218	Birmingham, AL
226	Huntsville, AL
228	Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
233	Charleston, WV
242	Shreveport-Bossier City, LA
247	Monroe, LA
248	Lake Charles, LA
250	Fayetteville, NC
254	Hickory-Morganton, NC
255	Albany, GA
256	Dothan, AL
257	Jonesboro, AR
258	Montgomery, AL
266	Myrtle Beach, SC
268	Florence, SC
269	Florence, AL
274	Sumter, SC
293	Biloxi-Gulfport-Pascagoula, MS
295	Baton Rouge, LA
297	Lafayette, LA
298	Danville, VA
300	Hattiesburg, MS
301	Rocky Mount, NC
302	Macon, GA
303	Owensboro, KY
304	Jackson, TN
305	Wheeling, WV-OH
320	Houma, LA
321	Alexandria, LA
322	Fort Smith, AR-OK
323	Anniston, AL
324	Gadsden, AL
325	Pine Bluff, AR