Oak Ridge Today

Secret City Spirits could make bourbon, rum in Oak Ridge

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Secret City Spirits

The Secret City Spirits distillery proposed in west Oak Ridge could be the first of its kind in the city, and it could make bourbon and rum, and flavored unaged liquor.

Secret City Spirits would be located at 1990B Oak Ridge Turnpike, next to United Grocery Outlet.

The co-owners are brothers Eric and Nathan Edmonds of Roane County, Tom Price of Knox County, and Michael Schrage of Chattanooga.

The liquor would be aged on the property. The Oak Ridge Board of Zoning Appeals approved a property exception on Tuesday to allow for light manufacturing, aging, and bottling of liquor for eventual distribution at the property.

The owners said they won’t have a storefront for now. Some liquors have to age for two years. But rums can be produced in less time than that and so can flavored unaged liquors. [Read more…]

Kickoff meeting for home energy-saving program is April 26

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City of Oak Ridge Seal

The “Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient (MORE2)” Program will be hosting a kickoff event for Oak Ridge residents on Tuesday, April 26, from 4-6 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Civic Center Social Room. The event is an opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about this new program for qualified, low-income residents in the community, a press release said.

Information on other energy-saving programs will also be available for those who do not qualify for the MORE2 program.

The City of Oak Ridge is kicking off the MORE2 program to perform “whole-home, deep energy retrofits” for 229 qualified residents in homes that are at least 20 years old. The project goal is to reduce electrical energy usage in all-electric homes to improve the quality of life for lower income residents and homeowners by significantly increasing the efficiency and comfort of their homes.

Attendees at this event will receive energy-saving items and informant about low- to no-expense energy-saving practices that can immediately improve energy savings in homes. [Read more…]

Chrisman named MMCer of the Month for March

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Cary Chrisman - March MMCer of the Month

Cary Chrisman

Cary Chrisman, a pharmacist at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, has been named the MMCer of the Month for March. In his job, Chrisman assists with patients’ medication needs through antibiotic stewardship, nutrition support, and blood glucose management. He has been at Methodist since 2002.

Chrisman is described by Chuck Ashley, director of Pharmacy, as an outstanding employee and clinician.

Chrisman received two nominations. One nomination said: “He is always right there when he is needed. He thinks ahead about what the next step could be, not only with medicine but with a patient’s disease process. That speaks volumes to me on how dedicated he is to the patient’s well-being.” [Read more…]

Neighborhood Watch has fundraiser at Gondolier on Wednesday

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The Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program has a fundraiser at Gondolier Restaurant on Wednesday, April 13.

Ten percent of dine-in or carry-out receipts will be donated to the Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program, organizers said.

The fundraiser is from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday.

Gondolier Restaurant is at 792 Briarcliff Avenue in Oak Ridge.

Area firms receive ORNL’s 2016 Small Business Impact Awards

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory honored local and regional companies with the 2016 Small Business Impact Awards announced at the East Tennessee Economic Council meeting in Oak Ridge on Friday morning. The annual event recognizes the contributions of four small businesses to laboratory and regional development, a press release said.

ORNL’s Small Business Programs Office recognized the service of companies in categories emphasizing their specific capabilities and contributions.

Above and Beyond Award: Hart Graphics Inc. of Knoxville for the company’s outstanding work in printing and display-graphic services. Hart Graphics has assisted ORNL for several years on successful communication of science and technology, and has contributed on multiple high-profile projects including the Additive Manufacturing Integrated Energy (AMIE) 3-D printed vehicle and building demonstrations.

Innovator Award: ACS Document Imaging Inc., a small business located in Knoxville, for the development of an outstanding idea, process, project management mechanism, or technology. ACS has assisted the laboratory for several years in the area of records management and information processing for the organization. [Read more…]

Arts and Antiques in Jackson Square starts this month

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Arts-Antiques-Jackson-Square-2016

The Jackson Square Merchants Association is starting a series of Saturday events called Arts and Antiques in the Square.

The series will be on the last Saturday of the month. It starts April 30 and runs through October 29.

“Our goal is to celebrate the local artistic talent in our area, help recycle antique/vintage items, as well as showcase the businesses in and around the square,” a press release said.

It pointed out that Oak Ridge Farmers Market is also in the square on Saturdays, starting later this month.

Arts and Antiques in the Square is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month, with setup from 8-8:30 a.m. Local artisans and vintage/antique dealers can sell, and there is a $25 cost for space. [Read more…]

‘Dine and Donate’ returns April 11

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ADFAC Christmas 2014

In December 2014, ADFAC’s board of directors provided the staff with a holiday Soup Kitchen luncheon. This timeless photo is a great example of the Soup Kitchen being an ideal place to share a meal with your co-workers, friends, and family! (Submitted photo)

 

On Monday, April 11, six local restaurants will donate a portion of their sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC. It’s a Dine and Donate Monday.

“Dine and Donate Mondays are always an easy way to treat loved ones to a special meal that also gives back to the community,” a press release said.

In Oak Ridge, these restaurants are participating on April 11:

  • Mediterranean Delight
  • Razzleberry’s
  • The Soup Kitchen

In Clinton, you can dine at the following participating restaurants on April 11: [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Chamber celebrates nonprofit members Tuesday, April 5

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Oak-Ridge-Chamber-Give-It-Up-For-A-Cause

Community members and members of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce learn more about local nonprofits at last year’s Give it UP for a Cause. This year’s event will take place on April 5. The event is free and the public is invited. (Submitted photo)

To celebrate National Volunteer Month, the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce is hosting a nonprofit fair on Tuesday, April 5. It’s scheduled from 8-10 a.m. at Pollard Technology Conference Center, which is at 210 Badger Road. The community is invited to attend.

“Give it UP for a Cause” is the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s annual event to honor the nonprofit members of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce. Several nonprofit organizations will be on hand to share what they do in the community, what their needs are, and how those who are interested can get involved.

Gene Caldwell, longtime community volunteer, will be the guest speaker. Caldwell was a pediatrician at the Oak Ridge Children’s Clinic for many years before being elected to the Tennessee State House of Representatives. He will speak about the importance of volunteerism.

Exhibitors for the event are: [Read more…]

Calhoun’s opening on Oak Ridge waterfront

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Riverside-Grille-Closed-Feb-1-2016

The Riverside Grille was closed Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, and developers and businessmen Rick and Ryan Chinn announced the property on Melton Lake Drive has been sold to the Copper Cellar restaurant family. On Wednesday, March 30, the sign announced that the restaurant will re-open soon. (February 2016 file photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 12:27 p.m.

Calhoun’s is opening a restaurant on the Oak Ridge waterfront. The restaurant will be on Melton Lake Peninsula, where Riverside Grille and Flatwater Grill used to be.

Calhoun’s has applied for a beer permit from the Oak Ridge Beer Permit Board, which will consider the application on Wednesday, April 6.

The restaurant will be owned by the Copper Cellar Corporation, which purchased the property from businessmen and developers Rick and Ryan Chinn in February.

It’s not clear when Calhoun’s will open. The beer permit application said the restaurant will open in April. Restaurant executives were not available for comment Wednesday. [Read more…]

Tech 2020 to sell building; other groups will continue organization’s work

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Technology-2020-Jan-27-2016

The board of directors for Technology 2020, which is located in Commerce Park in south Oak Ridge, voted Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, to wind down operations after more than two decades of operations. Tech 2020 announced March 30 that it will sell the building. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Tech 2020 Board of Directors approved a plan Tuesday that allows many of the organization’s top initiatives to be continued under the leadership of other enterprises, officials said. The Tech 2020 building, which is located in Commerce Park in south Oak Ridge, will be sold.

In January, the Tech 2020 Board agreed to wind down operations after more than two decades.

“Our goal these past few months has been to preserve some of Tech 2020’s important resources, and we believe we’ve accomplished that with the plan approved at Tuesday’s meeting of the Board,” said David Bradshaw, Tech 2020 chair.

That plan calls for the transfer of several of the Tech 2020 regional missions to other organizations on or before April 30, and the financial assets of a fourth to be returned to its founding members, a press release said.

“When the Board voted on January 26 to wind down operations, it asked that we explore options to transition existing missions to other not-for-profit organizations,” Bradshaw said in the press release. “We asked interested organizations to outline their ideas, and we are pleased that several have stepped forward with concrete proposals.” [Read more…]

Centrus signs $32.3 million contract for engineering, testing on uranium enrichment

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American Centrifuge Technology Manufacturing Center

The American Centrifuge Technology Manufacturing Center in south Oak Ridge is pictured above. (Photo courtesy USEC/Centrus Energy Corp.)

 

Centrus Energy Corporation announced Monday that it has signed a $32.3 million contract with UT-Battelle LLC for engineering and testing work on uranium enrichment technology. The contract, a new U.S. Centrifuge Technology Advancement contract, runs through September 30.

UT-Battelle operates Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy.

Under the terms of the agreement with UT-Battelle, Centrus will continue to perform engineering and testing work to preserve and advance uranium enrichment technology that originates in the United States to support future national security and energy security needs, a press release said.

“We still have critical work to do to advance the nation’s uranium enrichment capability,” said Steve Penrod, vice president of American Centrifuge for Centrus. [Read more…]

Authorities ask drivers to follow parking rules at flea market, allow access for emergency vehicles

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No-Parking-Flea-Market-March-26-2016

Vehicles are parked in front of a “No Parking” sign in the turn lane and fire lane during the flea market at Oak Ridge High School on Saturday, March 26, 2016. (Photo courtesy Darryl Kerley)

 

Authorities are asking drivers to follow the parking rules at the Saturday morning flea markets at Oak Ridge High School. That will allow emergency vehicles to access the parking lot in emergencies, they said.

The Oak Ridge Fire Department and Oak Ridge Police Department were called to Oak Ridge High School again on Saturday morning to correct the parking situation at the Flea Market, which is operated by the school as a fundraiser, a press release said.

“Cars continue to block access for fire and emergency vehicles all around the venue and are interfering with the new traffic signal,” the press release said.

“We have had a reported car fire and an emergency medical situation in the past and could not get to the incident because of where vehicles were parked,” Oak Ridge Fire Department Chief Darryl Kerley said. “I have worked with the school system to correct the situation, and they have taken the appropriate steps to resolve the parking problem. The problem remains that drivers are not following direction of signage and continue to park inappropriately.” [Read more…]