In August, Kassandra will go on to US 18 Nationals for the Olympics and sprint distance for her para category. | Photo provided by Kassandra Klemenz
From having eight surgeries at birth + a cystic fibrosis diagnosis to striving toward the Olympics, Knoxvillian Kassandra Klemenz has been on one unique athletic journey.
When she traveled to nearby Chattanooga in May to compete in the Ironman 70.3, Klemenz officially became the first woman double-lung recipient + para athlete to complete a triathlon in the US. We sat down with her to chat about the achievement and how she got here.
Having completed the Ironman 70.3, what was training like vs. your actual experience?
I believe if you want to be good, you get a coach and you learn from someone who knows better and who can do better than you. I feel like my coach’s training before was actually harder than the race — I actually didn’t go all out like we wanted me to, because the swim portion was canceled.
... Chattanooga is definitely a race that suits me as an athlete and that I definitely want to pursue doing more and more there — I’m glad I got to do it on home soil, in a sense.
Kid A’Riffic Fun in the Park | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | World’s Fair Park | Free | Enjoy making crafts and playing games provided by City departments and entities while making fun memories over summer vacation.
The Wallflowers | 8 p.m. | Bijou Theatre | $55+ | Hear the ‘90s hit “One Headlight” live and in person.
Lyle Lovett and his Large Band | 7:30 p.m. | Tennessee Theatre | $56+ | Singer and composer Lyle Lovett fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel, and blues.
Sunset Cinema | 7 p.m. | French Memorial Park | Free | Pack up your picnic blanket for an outdoor screening of “The Minecraft Movie.”
Saturday, July 26
Ninth Annual Butterfly Festival | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Stanley’s Greenhouse | Free | Celebrate butterflies with kids craft stations, a seminar, local artisans, educational exhibits, and a scavenger hunt.
Honeycomb booths and warm lighting set the scene at Kyuramen’s new Knoxville location. | Photo via Kyuramen
Opening
Kyuramen will open Monday, July 28 at 213 N. Peters Rd. The restaurant, known for ramen bowls and dishes like omurice and rice burgers, features the brand’s new interior concept with honeycomb booths + design elements inspired by Japan. Check out the full menu.
Civic
Before you stop by Kyuramen’s opening, make sure you’re registered to vote. Monday, July 28 is the final day to register to vote before the 2025 city primary election in August. Register online.
Transit
The city has plans to update its Bicycle Facilities Plan that was originally created in 2015 — and your input is needed. Take the online survey to help identify opportunities to improve bicycle connectivity across Knoxville.
Traffic
Work is underway to revamp traffic lights at an intersection near the current Kern’s Food Hall entrance. The improvements are scheduled for completion in August. (Knox News)
Community
Two new bombshells have entered the villa. Say hello to Liam and Gus, a pair of southern white rhinos who make up Zoo Knoxville’s most recent additions. Join WBIR’s Brittany Bailey in saying “Awww...” as you watch the half-brother rhinos romp in the mud.
Drink
At the Water for Life Festival this Sunday, July 27, three local breweries will use recycled water from KUB to create a special brew — and you’ll get the chance to try them. One man’s recycled water is another man’s beer, as they say.
Plan Ahead
Tickets for Twilight at Ijams are now on sale. The nature center’s annual benefit will feature art installations, live music, food, and drinks + offers general and VIP tickets.
Ranked
ESPN analyst Bill Connlley recently ranked Tennessee’s Josh Heupel the second-best active FBS head coach. Hear what the local experts on the Tennessee Volunteers have to say about the ranking.
Games
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
In your ideal world, what would go into the 13-story building that’s currently for sale on Market Street?
A 1960s-era downtown building is currently for sale, and we asked readers what they’d like to see take over the space. 60% of respondents voted for “housing,” but some provided extra details:
“Business on the bottom, and students who run those businesses on the top. That way the employees have a place to live. Every student needs a job. School is expensive.” — Anonymous
“Residential apartments or condos” — Kae W.
“Retail/bar/ eatery or grocery store” — Mary M.
Have something else in mind? Let us know what you’d like to see by clicking the button below.
I loved reader Susan E.'s response to our request for your favorite local restaurant: “Favorite Restaurant is my own cooking.”
Fair enough — for all of our at-home chefs, I’m issuing a challenge to create something unique and delicious in honor of Hot Tomato Summer. Email us your recipes + photos, and we may share them in a future newsletter.
