SOUTH KNOXVILLE
Birch Botanical Spa’s alternative approach more than skin deep
Ali James, Shopper News
“I was doing great with my business; I was on a roll when everything closed down in March 2020 and I was so mad at the world,” said Jayme Hanna, a holistic esthetician and owner of Birch Botanical Spa in Missouri.
However, there was a silver lining.
“Over COVID, after many years, my husband and I reconnected online,” Hanna said. “He is from Missouri too but moved to Knoxville about eight years ago. When everything shut down and the last thing people wanted was for someone to touch their face, my son and I traveled back and forth in 2020. I spent almost the whole summer here last year.”
Hanna’s husband urged her to open a spa in Knoxville. “He said they need this here, but I kept refusing,” she explained.
In September 2021, Hanna finally agreed and opened Birch Botanical Spa at 209 Moody Ave. in South Knoxville, just a stone’s throw from the Urban Wilderness.
“I expanded my St. Charles location in Missouri this past winter and decided to give Birch Botanical a big push in Knoxville this spring.”
Surprisingly, Hanna does not mind the 500-mile, eight-hour road trip. “I am busy running two health spas, so it is my time for myself and to slow down,” she said. “I love being close to the Smokies and the Urban Wilderness.”
Hanna plans to mirror the growth of her Missouri spa, which she grew from one room to a whole building. The holistic esthetician said she has hired spa manager Olivia Morrell and will expand services, but for now the Knoxville spa offers facials and skin treatments including detox dry brushing.
“We do a little Swedish massage and use the Kansa wand for the marma points.” Marma points therapy is a traditional Ayurvedic massage technique that’s believed to help sustain the flow of energy throughout the body.
Nutrition and lifestyle manifested in the skin
“We focus a little deeper than skin level,” Hanna said of her approach at Birch Botanical Spa. “I may see something with their nutrition. I brought on a health coach that does virtual (sessions) in both states.”
The goal is to help people on their own healing journeys, according to Hanna. “It’s more than pure esthetics. We dive a bit deeper than skin level to help them,” she said. “Everything is individualized, catering to each of their specific needs. They may have patches of eczema and acne, so we will do a deep dive and ask about their lifestyle and diet to get some touch points to relay to the health coach.”
The root causes of skin issues, such as dermatitis, can be environmental, physical or emotional. “A lot of people don’t know that their emotions are showing up on their face,” Hanna said. “The pandemic scared a lot of people; there is a lot of fear. We are seeing stress on the skin and internally.”
Birch Botanical Spa offers chakra readings to see how their clients feel deep down emotionally. “We may give them some grounding and breathing techniques to help them on their own path,” Hanna said.
Often when people are rushing and moving too quickly, Hanna said, the body sometimes sends small signs to remind them to rest and take care of themselves.
Most of Birch Botanical Spa’s current clientele are females age 30-50, but Hanna said they also treat men and teenagers, teaching them how to adopt a skin care routine. “It is more of a confidence builder for them,” she added.
People can be skeptical at first, Hanna admitted, but she usually surprises them by pinpointing the underlying issues after looking at their body and asking the right questions.
Hanna has been making her own skin care products since 2010 under the Black Birch label, but she changed up the name to Birch Botanical Spa when she started offering services in her first brick and mortar space.
“I make my own serums and body butter with chakra oils,” she said. “We do results driven skin care; it is our first line of defense.”
Birch Botanical Spa is participating in markets and will eventually offer yoga and nutrition classes at the Knoxville location. Appointments can be made at https://www.birchbotanicalspa.com/book-online.
NORTH KNOXVILLE
Guy B. Love Towers and KCDC celebrate $6.5 million renovation
Carol Z. Shane, Shopper News
There were smiles all around when representatives from Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC), their construction, design, and landscaping partners, and residents of Guy B. Love Towers gathered to cut the ribbon celebrating the completion of a $6.5 million renovation of all 249 apartments in the complex.
Ben Bentley, KCDC’s executive director and CEO, said, “this renovation is really going make a difference in the quality of life here at Love Towers.” Bentley made note of several recent revitalizations, including Austin Homes and Five Points, with Western Heights upcoming.
“This is all an effort to preserve or construct new affordable housing that will last many decades into the future.”
The project provided new paint, flooring and cabinets, and upgraded energy-efficient appliances, lighting, heating and air conditioning units. “This highlights KCDC’s commitment to sustainable energy efficiency initiatives,” said Bentley.
Located in historic Old North Knoxville off Broadway, Guy B. Love Towers is a high-rise property with two seven-story apartment buildings, built in the 1960s.
Bentley said rehab is often trickier than new construction. “When you get into a 60-year-old building, sometimes the plans actually match what you find, sometimes they don’t!”
KCDC board member Kim Henry agreed. “It’s hard with a 1960s building. You’ve got to come back and retrofit things that weren’t in the fire code at the time.”
Bentley lauded his crew — Brian Nicholson of Studio Four Design; Calvin Sise and John Kitts of BESCO; and Shane Nocus of Management Solutions — as well has his KCDC board and staff, including Henry, Scott Broyles and Steve Ellis, Love Towers property manager, who is retiring this month.
“The responses I’ve gotten from the residents have all been good,” said Ellis. “One young lady said she thought she was in a new apartment. It gives more meaning to what we do. Thanks again to everybody. It’s been a very joyful 27 years.”
The courtyard now features added/upgraded landscaping, including a brand new certified butterfly garden — a complement to the already-existing community garden, which Bentley said is one of KCDC’s most active.
“Beardsley Farm has been working with AmeriCorps and KCDC with vegetable gardens here for a long time with the residents,” said Gerry Moll of Native Plant Rescue, who installed the new garden.
“There’s a lot of food that they grow. Adding a pollinator garden is really important to help pollinate the vegetables. Now we’ll be bringing the bees and butterflies in to make the garden even better — feeding the people and feeding the wildlife! We’ve got a full circle garden thing going here.” Moll said his team was brought in by Riley Douglas of AmeriCorps.
Resident Chloie Airoldi-Watters says the newly refurbished apartments “really are fabulous.”
She’s recently upgraded from an efficiency to a one-bedroom and loves the extra space. An abstract painter who studies with Anne Birdwell at the John T. O’Connor Senior Center, she’s made the bedroom into an art studio.
Walter Shumpert said, “Everything is in a lot better shape than it was. I’ve lived here going on 14 years.
“I’ve got an efficiency — I like living in one room. It’s easy to keep clean and easy to get around in. And it won’t allow me to bring excess clutter; I’ve got to live with minimum clutter, not maximum, and that’s a good thing.”
Bentley also gave a tip of the hat to Darlene Farmer, incoming property manager. “She cares deeply about residents. She loves planning events and activities, making sure the quality of life here is wonderful. She’s going to continue the momentum for Love Towers.”
SOUTH KNOXVILLE
Historic Vestal United Methodist church to reopen for Easter
Ali James, Shopper News
Pastor Tim Jackson is eager to ring his church’s bell for Easter Sunday service. The historic Vestal United Methodist Church has been shuttered since December 2016, and the bell has been silent since then.
“I have planted churches my entire career,” Jackson said. “It has been a lot of hard work. Right now I am just a project manager. When we get it open, I will be the pastor.”
Jackson, who was assigned to Vestal by the Holston Conference in July 2021, said they have worked really hard cleaning out the sanctuary, years of “crud,” replacing the roof, stopping and repairing water damage.
“We still have a lot to do between now and Easter, and will have crews working six days a week,” he said. “I have no doubt we will be ready for that 10 a.m. service, egg hunt and fellowship meal.”
The initial plan was to open last fall, but roof problems were worse than they realized and work only wrapped up in late February.
Jackson is also serving as pastor at the United Methodist Church on Magnolia Avenue, reopening the once condemned building last November and breathing new life into the church’s programs.
“I have studied the history of Vestal (UMC). It was a thriving middle-class church from the 1920s to mid-1960s,” Jackson said. “It was attended by around 500 people who lived in South Knoxville and worked at Candoro Marble, the paper mill and the Alcoa bakery. Those businesses closed or their workforces drastically reduced. Attendance dropped to 150, and like a lot of churches it was old and declined until they were unable to pay their bills and the conference shut them down.”
When a lowball offer was made for the church, Jackson said the Holston Conference decided to take another look at the church and realized there was not a vibrant local church in that community.
Jackson said it is important to keep things simple. “We will start with worship times and go from there,” he said. “The areas we are focusing on are the sanctuary, the children’s ministry, with four rooms, a student worship area above the sanctuary and fellowship hall.”
The education area will be tackled room by room at a later date.
Sadly, the original stained glass in the sanctuary ceiling could not be salvaged, but the soaring ceilings, enormous stained glass windows, wooden pews and balcony have been restored to their former glory.
During renovations, the church hosted a trunk or treat event that drew 300-400 children and an outdoor Christmas service that was also well attended in 2021.
Vestal UMC will be able to seat 175, with an additional 50-75 people in the balcony.
“The sanctuary is absolutely beautiful. We are going to have a rocking worship team, a blend of contemporary music and liturgy,” Jackson said. “We will take holy communion, say the Apostles’ Creed — a church that will be engaging and meeting them right where they are…
“I have been quietly engaging in the community and building relationships, volunteering with Beacon of Hope and Fish Food pantry that serves 200 households in South Knoxville,” Jackson said, who moved 19 times growing up, was homeless twice as a child and once as an adult.
“My hope is for both churches to become strong parish churches loving and serving their community.”
The plan is to once again host weddings and even concerts and other events to help support the church.
“Our worship leader, Paul Jones, is a dynamic guy, from a megachurch and we have a rocking band at our Magnolia church that will also play here,” Jackson said.
“I was speaking to Tommy Smith, the City of Knoxville councilman, and he said a vibrant church leader can help revive a section of the town,” Jackson said. “We are trying to be deeply invested into a strong, vibrant community.”
OPINION
Caregiving is an act of love
Leslie Snow, Shopper News
I tell my husband it’s fine, but he doesn’t believe me. He rails against some perceived injustice.
He tells me it’s not right for a daughter to bathe her own father and calls for more weekend help for my parents. I nod and try to explain why their regular caregiver can’t make it, but he’s not ready to listen.
I grab a piece of toast, search for my car keys, and get ready for the 2-mile drive to my folks’ house.
As I’m walking out the door, my husband reaches for me.
“I’m sorry if I wasn’t listening earlier,” he says, sheepishly. “I just hate to see you taking on more responsibility. Remember when you said you were going to be a daughter and a friend but not a caregiver? I’m not sure helping your dad shower qualifies.”
I hear what he’s saying, but it doesn’t correspond with what I’m feeling. I tell him I’m doing what I want to do. What I need to do. We decide to talk more when I get back.
My mom is sleepy but happy to see me when I arrive. While I put on some coffee, she gives me an update on the number of times my father woke her during the night.
“He wanted to tell me about a new business opportunity he has on the west coast,” she says with a sad smile. “I guess I’ll start packing my bags.” We both laugh but the sound falls hollow and flat.
“I’m going to get Dad up and start the shower,” I say, as I push the lever on the toaster. “OK,” she replies with a sigh. And I see her fold into herself, like she would rather disappear than watch me help my father bathe.
“I’ve got this, Mom,” I say, gently. “Why don’t you just relax and read the paper.”
Then I find my father, still in bed, eyes half open. “Good morning, Dad,” I say cheerfully. “It’s your daughter, Leslie.”
He stares at me blankly and I know it’s one of his bad days. He doesn’t recognize me. “I’m here to get you showered and dressed for the day,” I say, loudly. “OK,” he grumbles, using his safety bar to pull himself up.
The rest of the morning is routine. I help my father shampoo his hair and wash his body. I explain everything I’m doing in hopes that he understands or is at least calmed by my voice.
I dry him with a soft towel. I help him dress and hand him his watch and his wallet. I put in his hearing aids and give him his hankie before he grabs his walker and shuffles to the kitchen for breakfast.
When I get back home, my husband is waiting. He hugs me like I’ve come back from the war and it makes me laugh.
“I know showering my father sounds terrible, but it’s not what you think,” I say, needing to explain. “I don’t cringe the whole time or feel disgusted, and my dad doesn’t know enough to be embarrassed. I’m happy we have a professional who can do it most days, but when she can’t make it, I don’t mind stepping in. He’s my father and this is something I can do for him. Bathing him is an act of love.
“And this may sound ridiculous, but I know, if the tables were turned, my father would do the same for me.”
There is no more to say after that. So I shower, get dressed, and carry on with my day.
Leslie Snow may be reached at snow [email protected].
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