Oak Ridge Today

Prevent Child Abuse presents special showing of ‘Resilience’

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Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee will present a special showing of “Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope” in April in Oak Ridge.

“This impactful documentary is a great introduction to the topic of making our community more trauma informed,” said Susan Moore, regional program manager for Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee.

The video portion is about one hour long, and it will be followed by a panel discussion, Moore said.

It’s a free community event, and it will be at Roane State Community College at 701 Briarcliff Avenue in Oak Ridge. The screening will be in Goff 107. [Read more…]

OREPA to present information about U.S. weapons programs at United Nations

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Ralph Hutchison

Ralph Hutchison

The United Nations conference on a nuclear weapons ban opens in New York City on Monday, March 27. The purpose of the conference is to “negotiate a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading toward their total elimination,” a press release said.

Ralph Hutchison, coordinator of the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance, will be presenting in a side event during the conference on Tuesday, March 28, with colleagues from other nuclear weapons sites, the press release said. The panel discussion, “US Nuclear Modernization Under President Trump: Implications for the Ban Treaty Process,” was organized by the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability. The focus will be on U.S. efforts to modernize the entire nuclear weapons program, the release said. [Read more…]

Two international events proposed for 75th anniversary of DOE, Oak Ridge

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ORHPA Logo

The Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association has proposed that the U.S. Department of Energy and the City of Oak Ridge host two international events during their 75th anniversary.

The events are: (a) an exhibit on the international scientific progress made during the seven decades since World War II and (b) a remembrance of the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with special invitations going to representatives of the 25 countries that suffered the highest casualties during the war, a press release said.

Both the U.S. Department of Energy nuclear complex and the City of Oak Ridge were born in the turbulent year following the Pearl Harbor attack (1942) as part of President Roosevelt’s massive—and super-secret—effort to build the first atomic bomb, the press release said.

“Including these two events in this year’s anniversary would showcase DOE’s important contributions to mankind and enhance international understanding and cooperation,” said Martin McBride, who heads the ORHPA committee on the proposal. “It would also honor all who fell during World War II.” [Read more…]

CNS announces employee-directed community grants

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A grant from the CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund has been awarded to Oak Ridge Schools to provide additional opportunities for at-risk students to engage in reading instruction. (Photo by Y-12)

A grant from the CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund has been awarded to Oak Ridge Schools to provide additional opportunities for at-risk students to engage in reading instruction. (Photo by Y-12)

 

$125,000 invested in local nonprofits across East Tennessee

Twenty-nine nonprofits from across East Tennessee have received a total of $125,000 in grants from the Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, or CNS, Y-12 Community Investment Fund. The recipients were announced this month at a reception at the New Hope Center at Y-12 National Security Complex.

The CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund is managed by the East Tennessee Foundation, and it was created in 2014 by CNS. CNS manages and operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, where a similar fund is managed by the Amarillo Area Foundation, a press release said.

At Y-12, a committee made up of CNS employees reviewed dozens of grant proposals, conducted staff interviews, and made site visits before recommending funding based on the committee’s four focus areas:  education, senior citizens, veterans, and youth. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge home owner shares energy efficiency success story

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MORE2 Logo“I have won the lottery!” That is an emotional response from one Oak Ridge homeowner who recently received a Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient, or MORE2, home energy makeover.

Ronald Jackson, an Oak Ridge resident for nearly 50 years, said he “could not believe my luck in finding this program.” Jackson, who has lived in his home for 10 years, learned about the MORE2 program from a poster while visiting the Oak Ridge Library and decided it was worth a try to apply. His application was approved, and in recent months, his home has received a new HVAC unit as well as new duct work and insulation—all at no cost to Jackson.

“This program is so wonderful I want to tell everyone about it!” Jackson said in a press release.

The program responsible for his enthusiasm is called MORE2, and it is helping Oak Ridgers lower their home energy use and their electric bills, the press release said. [Read more…]

ADFAC celebrates 30 years with city, ORUD

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ADFAC Board Member, Cande Seay (left), presenting a 30th Birthday cake to the ORUD employees including (L-R) Polli Wright, Ben Andrews, Emily Rios, Raeshell Maples, Sasha Benjamin, David Bunch and Jeff Patterson.

ADFAC Board Member Cande Seay (left), presents a 30th birthday cake to ORUD employees, including, from left to right, Polli Wright, Ben Andrews, Emily Rios, Raeshell Maples, Sasha Benjamin, David Bunch, and Jeff Patterson. (Submitted photo)

 

ADFAC (Aid To Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties Inc.) is celebrating its 30th birthday all year long, a press release said. Birthday cakes will be delivered throughout the community to partners who have helped in the mission of helping neighbors be as self-sufficient as possible, the press release said.

Jane Palmer, ADFAC’s 30th chairperson, said: “It’s just our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the community for 30 years of supporting us. And who doesn’t love cake? It’s a great way for us to not only say thank you but to spread the word about the great work going on at ADFAC.”

Most recently, ADFAC representatives visited all four utility companies that serve ADFAC’s service area including Oak Ridge Utility District, Oak Ridge Electric Department, Clinton Utilities Board, and Powell-Clinch Utility Board. ADFAC presented cakes to these groups as a way to say thank you for the many years of supporting Project SAFE and Project ASSIST, the press release said. [Read more…]

Harlem Ambassadors basketball show to benefit Habitat for Humanity

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Habitat for Humanity Harlem Ambassadors March 17 2017

Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County will host the Harlem Ambassadors basketball show at Oak Ridge High School on Friday evening. Oak Ridge firefighters have volunteered to be the opposing team.

The show is a benefit for Habitat for Humanity. It starts at 7 p.m. Friday, March 17, at Wildcat Arena.

“Please join us for an evening of entertainment, fun, and zany basketball,” organizers said. “The Ambassadors also bring the message ‘Stay in School, Stay off Drugs and Don’t be a Bully.'”

Tickets are only $5, and there will be plenty of food at the concession stand, organizers said. Advance tickets are available in Oak Ridge at TNBank at 401 South Illnois Avenue and at the Habitat ReStore at 105 Randolph Road. They can be purchased at the door on Friday night. [Read more…]

5K Run, Walk on May 5 a fundraiser to help fight cancer

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The American Cancer Society has announced the first 5K Run and Walk at a Relay For Life event in Anderson County in May.

The run and walk will take place on Friday, May 5, at 8 p.m. at Melton Lake Park in Oak Ridge. People ages 12 and up are invited to participate by either walking or running to help raise money in the quest to “create a world with less cancer by helping people get well and stay well, by finding cures, and by fighting back against cancer,” a press release said.

To register for this event, go to the website runsignup.com. You may locate the event by typing in Anderson County Twilight, which will take you to the event page. Individuals may support one of the local teams participating in Relay For Life or may create a team of their own.

“This is a great way to honor or remember someone you love whose life has been touched by cancer,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Philharmonia has open house Sunday; bring your instrument if you’d like to play

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The Oak Ridge Philharmonia performs at Cokesbury United Methodist Church in 2016. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Philharmonia performs at Cokesbury United Methodist Church in 2016. (Submitted photo)

 

By Dale Gedcke

Would you like to join an ensemble that plays famous Baroque, Classical, and Contemporary music…with strings attached?

The March 12 Open House with the Oak Ridge Philharmonia may be the opportunity you need to explore the benefits of playing with this excellent orchestra. Bring your instrument, and discuss the possibilities with Director/Conductor Marcelo Urias, the board members, and current players in the Philharmonia.

Refreshments will be served, and you may be able to play a few pieces with us, just for fun, while you are there. No auditions are necessary. Within a few rehearsals, you will be able to decide whether you and the orchestra are a fulfilling match.

Aspiring musicians typically encounter little difficulty locating concert bands in which to play. But orchestras, with the full complement of strings added to the woodwinds and brass, are hard to find. Even experienced professionals have to compete intensely for the scant positions open in sparse, professional orchestras.

The Oak Ridge Philharmonia is a community orchestra dedicated to committed volunteers. It presents a rare opportunity for musicians who want to polish their skills, while enjoying playing with the full spectrum of sounds only the combination of woodwinds, brass, and strings can deliver. [Read more…]

Dine & Donate is Monday, March 13

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Cande Seay, left, and Teresa Myrick enjoy a festive lunch at Gallo Loco, located at 21 E. Tennessee Avenue in Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

Cande Seay, left, and Teresa Myrick enjoy a festive lunch at Gallo Loco, located at 21 E. Tennessee Avenue in Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

 

Eleven local restaurants will donate a portion of their sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC, on Monday, March 13, as part of the monthly Dine & Donate.

In Clinton, the participating restaurants are: [Read more…]

Boys & Girls Club baseball sign-ups end March 18

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Boys and Girls Clubs of the Clinch Valley Logo IV

Sign-ups for the 2017 baseball season at Boys & Girls Club end March 18. Children must be five before May 1 to sign up.

See the sign-up form here: Baseball Registration2017.

Manhattan Project National Park celebrates Girl Scout Week on Saturday

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Photo by Ed Westcott

Photo by Ed Westcott

 

The Manhattan Project National Historical Park is partnering with the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge and the Girl Scouts of USA to celebrate National Girl Scout Week on Saturday, March 11.

Beginning at 10 a.m. at the Children’s Museum, individual Girl Scouts and/or troops are welcome to participate in hands-on activities until 3:30 p.m., a press release said. Admission to CMOR will be free on that day for any Girl Scout in uniform and their families. Girl Scouts can earn the “Our Girl Scout Story” history patch and a MAPR Junior Ranger patch by participating in a historical scavenger hunt. The historical scavenger hunt activity information will be made available from March 11 through March 25 at the National Park Service desk at the American Museum of Science and Energy. [Read more…]