# 6. The Sapphire bartender has a sense of humor. This chocolate martini arrived at our table around 11:00 PM Friday night, delighting one of my out of town guests. Nice drinks at a nice place are one thing, but it’s that little extra that makes a memory and brings someone back to your business or to town.
#5. Lisa McLeod and Jake Weinstein of One World Circus, who you may know as “those stilt people” are multi-talented, yes, but they also know their educational stuff. I’ve never heard the world “pedagogy” used by a pirate at a children’s show, but there it was at Kid Stuff on Saturday. They have a great program coming to libraries near you this summer.
#4. The coffee at Barley’s is very good. Again, it’s the little things. After arriving around 8:00 for a last-minute Lonetones show, we ordered coffee. My hopes were pretty low as I am quite the coffee snob. Our waiter told us it would be a few minutes because he could not serve us the coffee on hand, but would brew a fresh pot. Encouraged, but with hopes of high-quality remaining low, we waited. I was completely shocked and impressed by what I tasted. They serve Vienna Coffee (from Maryville) and, obviously, know how to brew it.
#3. Downtown Knoxville’s only known (to me) wild reptile is dead. I wasn’t sure when I took the photograph, but further investigation revealed some pretty excited ants crawling all over him. Anybody know the specific type of snake?
#2. The apartments at 36 Market Square are moving along rapidly (at last) and should be ready for occupancy July 1. All the units but one are taken – and that one was on the verge this past weekend. They were all taken by local professionals, except one, which was taken by a visiting professor from Russia.
#1. In a stunning development, Cecilia Blair, multi-talented, most-valuable-player candidate on the local music scene and cellist for the Lonetones, shockingly, has an opening or two for cello lessons. If I thought I had a prayer I might grab a spot, but I’ll have to defer to those of you with a bit of musical talent. If you are interested, let me know and I can hook you up.