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Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Shopper Blog: Moon Phase Crystals owner's belief in stones' healing power is rock solid
HALLS Al Lesar, Shopper News With her life lacking structure and focus in 2014, Randi Byrd was searching for an answer. The Halls resident found the solution at a women's empowerment retreat in North Carolina. 'There was a crystal vortex in the center of the room,' Byrd said. 'It was pure quartz. I was there with all sorts of people from all backgrounds. 'While I was there, my life changed. I felt like I owned my power. I stepped into my time.' Byrd, who grew up in Powell, is convinced that crystal vortex had a role in helping her come to grips with taking charge of her own life. While there she bought a moldavite pendant necklace she still wears every day. 'That crystal reminds me every day that I can,' Byrd said. 'Whatever it is, I can. It clarifies any doubts that I might have. It gives me the confidence in my life.' A licensed practical nurse, Byrd's medical knowledge allows her to believe in the crystal. 'I'm a healer already,' she said. 'The crystals can help me with what I do.' Byrd's belief in the power of crystals over the last decade came to a head a few months ago when she launched an online crystal shop, Moon Phase Crystals. 'I've been purchasing inventory from wholesalers and factories,' Byrd said. 'If something catches my eye, I'll buy it.' Options include carvings, figurines and Byrd's favorite, spheres. There are towers, free forms, raw or polished material. Crystals range in price from $5 to $250. 'I think they're beautiful, and there's a variety,' Byrd said. 'The big selling point is that there's something for everybody.' Byrd said there are crystals that absorb negative energy, enhance energy flow, offer financial wealth or decrease anxiety. 'I'm constantly trying to update the inventory and upload new options,' Byrd said. There is no room for skepticism with crystals, which Byrd acknowledges as being a legitimate concern. 'If I have to convince somebody of the benefits, it's not for them,' Byrd said. 'I want people to come to me. I can offer any sort of healing. People need to come to me with an open mind. They have to believe in what they're doing and what can be done by the crystals. 'I came away from that conference with the way I wanted to live. I lean toward more of the metaphysical explanations. I know I've changed and I've liked the change.' In addition to her crystal business, Byrd is also a certified yoga instructor. Though she doesn't teach any formal classes, she is scheduled to spend 24 days in Peru this summer immersed in a yoga training session. 'Someday I can see teaching in my plans,' she said. 'It could be a crystal/yoga shop. That would tie two things I love together.' For more information or to order go to Moon Phase Crystals Facebook page or NORTH KNOXVILLE Jack Coker, Shopper News The city of Knoxville's two outdoor public pools opened for the season over Memorial Day weekend. Here's what you need to know if you're planning to visit. Pool hours are, weather permitting, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and and 1-6 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $5 per person per visit. Frequent swimmers can save by purchasing a Splash Pass at a discounted rate. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call ahead or fill out a form online to help staff prepare and to receive a group discount. Interested in lifeguarding? The city is hiring lifeguards and water safety instructors. If you or someone you know is a strong swimmer who wants to get certified, reach out to the aquatics staff at aquatics@ The Ed Cothren Pool, 1737 Reynolds Street, holds 275,000 gallons of water and features a diving board, an accessible entry ramp and a shaded baby pool. It's a great spot for families with young children, thanks to the nearby concession stand and plenty of covered tables. The pool sits inside Malcolm-Martin Park, which includes a basketball court, baseball field, playground, picnic shelter and paved 0.3-mile greenway loop. This pool also holds historical significance. It's named after Ed Cothren, a Knoxville College graduate and First Lieutenant in the Army who became the first Black soldier from Knoxville to die in combat during World War II. Meanwhile, over at Inskip Pool, 4204 Bruhin Road, you'll find a 285,000-gallon pool with two low diving boards and a high dive. There's also a shallow wading pool for little ones, three pavilions for shade and a sand volleyball court to keep the fun going on dry land. Like the Ed Cothren pool, it has its own surrounding park, complete with a playground, three tennis courts that are lined for pickleball, a walking loop and a nine-hole youth disc golf course. For more information, including Splash Pass details, weather-related closures or to plan a group visit, check out or give the pools a call directly: Inskip Pool: 865-687-9919Ed Cothren Pool: 865-544-7840 This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Shopper News brings you the latest happenings in your community
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Shopper Blog: City seeks input as it updates Play Knoxville, its Parks and Recreation Master Plan
NORTH KNOXVILLE Jack Coker, Shopper News The public engagement phase for Play Knoxville, the city's Parks and Recreation Master Plan, is officially underway. This plan will guide investments in parks, greenways, community centers and recreational programming for the next decade. It's been over 15 years since Knoxville last updated its Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and with the city's population growing by nearly 10,000 residents in the last five years, now is the time to ensure outdoor spaces keep pace with community needs. The planning process kicked off in January with a steering committee of community leaders. Since then, city staff and consultants from Perez Planning + Design have been hard at work, conducting dozens of focus groups, meeting with Knoxville City Council and community leaders, and visiting nearly 70 parks across Knoxville to assess conditions. Now they're asking for feedback from the people who use these spaces the most: Knoxville residents. Over the coming weeks, community members will have multiple opportunities to provide input, including attending neighborhood meetings, engaging on social media and sharing their thoughts via an online survey. The city has also launched an interactive mapping tool where residents can pinpoint specific locations and suggest improvements. The Play Knoxville website, is live and serves as a hub for community engagement. Residents can take the 15–20-minute survey, which is modeled after similar planning efforts in cities like Atlanta, Louisville and Miami, to help identify priorities for Knoxville's parks and recreation system. A Parks and Recreation Master Plan is more than just a list of future projects — it's a roadmap for how Knoxville will develop and maintain its parks, programs and facilities for years to come. The plan will identify current needs, anticipate future demand and provide a phased approach to implementation over the next decade. Short-term projects (one to three years), mid-term goals (four to six years) and long-term initiatives (seven to 10 years) will be outlined to ensure strategic, sustainable improvements across the city. Beyond enhancing recreation opportunities, this plan is also a critical tool for securing funding. Historically, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation required that local departments update their master plans every five years to guide state funding allocations. While TDEC is revising its approach, Knoxville's renewed focus on parks planning aligns with broader city initiatives, including the Greenway Corridor Feasibility and Assessment Study, the Urban Forest Master Plan and the One Year Plan. Parks are more than just green spaces; they're places where communities connect, children play and Knoxville's character shines. If you have ideas for improving your neighborhood park or expanding recreational opportunities across the city, now is the time to make your voice heard. Visit to take the survey, drop a pin on the map and get involved in shaping the future of Knoxville's parks and recreation system. Your input today will help create the parks of tomorrow. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Shopper News brings you the latest happenings in your community
USA Today
10-02-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
The second administration of President Donald Trump has begun in chaos
COLUMNISTS Victor Ashe Shopper News columnist Since Jan. 20 there has been a blizzard of executive orders and announcements from President Donald Trump's White House that are difficult to follow due to the volume and lack of clarity. This has been accompanied by orders from different departments removing security details from former high-level officials who have been targeted by Iran. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
