Oak Ridge Today

A MORE2 success story, providing free energy-efficiency upgrades

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Before and after photos of Lacey’s attic insulation.

Before and after photos of Lacey’s attic insulation (see other photo below).

 

As winter sets in, Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient, or MORE2, is helping Oak Ridgers lower their home energy use and their electric bills.

Mary Kate Lacey, a retired licensed practical nurse, rents an Oak Ridge home that she hopes to someday own. After taking part in MORE2, she said her home is more comfortable now than in the last five years and that her electric bill is reflecting energy savings.

“My heat pump just doesn’t run all the time now like it used to,” she explained. “And my utility bill is already a little lower than in earlier years.” [Read more…]

Groundbreaking ceremony held for first new Habitat home in 2017

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Habitat for Humanity Morgan Groundbreaking January 2017

Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County (HFHAC) has plans to build three new homes in Oak Ridge in 2017. Now, thanks to generous sponsors and construction volunteers, these plans are being realized, a press release said. The foundation has been dug for the first home, located at 214 North Illinois Avenue. (Submitted photo)

 

Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County, or HFHAC, has plans to build three new homes in Oak Ridge in 2017.

“Now, thanks to all of the generous sponsors and construction volunteers, these plans are being realized!” a press release said.

The foundation has been dug for the first home, which is located at 214 North Illinois Avenue.

Representatives from UT-Battelle, the managing contractor of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, presented a $25,000 check to HFHAC during a January 5 groundbreaking ceremony. The donation will be used to purchase materials for the Morgan family home, the press release said. [Read more…]

Keynote speaker announced for Emory Valley Center’s spring fundraiser

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Timothy Shriver (Submitted photo)

 

Timothy Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics, will be the keynote speaker for the Fourth Annual Spring Fundraiser for the Emory Valley Center. The fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, April 28.

In the 1950s and early 1960s, Dr. Shriver’s mother, Eunice Shriver, saw how unfairly people with intellectual disabilities were being treated. She also noticed that many children with intellectual disabilities didn’t even have a place to play, so she took action and planned a backyard summer camp for them which focused on their abilities. Over the years, the movement grew and in 1968, the first International Special Olympics Summer Games were held in Chicago, a press release said. [Read more…]

ADFAC celebrating 30th ‘birthday’

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Photo courtesy ADFAC

Photo courtesy ADFAC

 

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC, has reached a major milestone: 30 years of helping low-income families in the community.

It was January 28, 1987, that ADFAC officially became an incorporated nonprofit in the State of Tennessee. To recognize this achievement, ADFAC will celebrate through 2017 with special events and projects.

Last October, ADFAC kicked off its 30th year by providing a special birthday cake, snacks, and drinks to members of First Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge. When ADFAC was first forming, First Presbyterian offered office space to the young organization. As the years went by and ADFAC grew both in size and services, First Presbyterian provided additional office space. [Read more…]

Women’s Solidarity Event to be held Saturday in Oak Ridge

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What started as a grass roots calling on a Facebook page a few days after the November election quickly morphed into what estimates now suggest could be more than 200,000 people who will join in the Women’s March on Washington on January 21, the day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, a press release said.

Those who would like to stand in solidarity with the Women’s March but are unable to make the 500-mile journey will have a place to gather in Anderson County, the press release said. Everyone is welcome to attend a progressive organizations fair on Saturday, January 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, which is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike, the release said. [Read more…]

Charlie the Curious Bear is Children’s Museum’s new mascot

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Hart Family

Loren Hart, center, provided inspiration for the Children’s Museum’s new mascot, with her artwork of a bear in blue overalls. With her are her parents, Jennifer Lee and Len Hart, and her sister Matti. (Submitted photo)

 

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge has a new mascot.

The newest addition to the Children’s Museum was recently unveiled at its annual Holiday Gala. As supporters gathered to celebrate the holidays, Board President Tom Beehan, Executive Director Beth Shea, and Marketing Chair Gene Patterson introduced the crowd to Charlie the Curious Bear, the museum’s new mascot.

The image of the cuddly brown bear, with expressive eyes, wearing blue bib overalls and cap, was inspired by student Loren Hart, who took part in an art competition in the Oak Ridge Schools to create the museum’s new mascot. [Read more…]

UT-Battelle fulfills $250,000 pledge to Emory Valley Center campaign

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Emory Valley Center and UT-Battelle Check Jan 2017

On hand for UT-Battelle’s check presentation at the new facility construction site are, from left to right, Shirley Raines, Emory Valley Center board vice president; Dottie Thompson and Gene Caldwell, EVC capital co-chairs; Jennifer Enderson, EVC president; ORNL’s Jeff Smith and Leigha Humphries; Tennessee senators Ken Yager and Randy McNally; and Janet Wood, EVC vice president of community engagement. (Photo courtesy ORNL)

 

UT-Battelle, the managing contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, made the final installment of a $250,000 pledge by presenting a $50,000 check in late December to the Emory Valley Center, a community facility that serves people with disabilities, a press release said.

UT-Battelle made the pledge in 2011 when the Emory Valley Center, which provides services and support for adults and children with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities, began a building program to replace its aging structure. The center’s new building is now under construction.

ORNL Deputy Director for Operations Jeff Smith and Community Relations Manager Leigha Humphries presented the check to Jennifer Enderson, the center’s president. [Read more…]

Starting Monday, 12 local restaurants to participate in ADFAC’s Dine & Donate

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burchfields_2016_small

ADFAC volunteer Carol Smallridge, left, and Burchfield’s Food and Beverage Manager Walter Duebler are pictured above. Burchfield’s, located at the DoubleTree in Oak Ridge, has been a loyal supporter of ADFAC for many years, and ADFAC says it’s proud Burchfield’s is participating in “A Year of Dine & Donate!” (Photo courtesy ADFAC)

 

Starting on Monday, 12 local restaurants will participate in ADFAC’s “A Year of Dine & Donate.”

On Dine & Donate Mondays (the second Monday of each month), the restaurants listed below will donate a significant portion of their daily sales to ADFAC.

In Clinton:

  • Gondolier
  • Hoskins
  • Riverview Grill

In Oak Ridge:

  • Burchfield’s
  • Dean’s
  • Gallo Loco
  • Mediterranean Delight
  • Outback
  • Popeyes
  • Razzleberry’s
  • Soup Kitchen

Both Subways in Clinton will participate and so will the Subway at 1968 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge, and the Subways in Oliver Springs and Rocky Top. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum closed due to snow, city centers opened at noon

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The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge is closed today (Saturday, January 7) due to the weather. The Amateur Radio Kids Day scheduled for this afternoon is canceled.

The museum will call those who had birthday parties scheduled for today to reschedule.

“The safety of our visitors and staff are important to us,” the Children’s Museum said.

Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson delayed the opening of the Civic Center, Scarboro Center, and Senior Center until noon. The library also opened at noon.

Cumberland Piano Trio to perform in Oak Ridge on Jan. 21

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The Cumberland Piano Trio is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

 

The Cumberland Piano Trio will perform in Oak Ridge on Saturday, January 21.

The concert is presented by the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association. It starts at 7 p.m. January 21 at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church.

The Cumberland Piano Trio includes violinist Susan Eddlemon, cellist Dan Allcott, and pianist Emi Kagawa. It

The January 21 concert will feature Gabriel Faure’s “Piano Trio in D minor” and Johannes Brahms’ “Piano Trio No. 1 in B major.” [Read more…]

New Year’s Walk at UT Arboretum on Jan. 2

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If you want to get some exercise early in the new year, you can go on a short hike during the Third Annual New Year’s Walk at the University of Tennessee Arboretum on Monday.

The free walk is offered by the UT Arboretum Society. It starts at 9:30 a.m. Monday, January 2,  at the UT Arboretum Auditorium. There, you will be greeted by fellow hikers and offered coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks, a press release said.

At 10 a.m., the group will leave for a guided walk that will last about 45 minutes, the press release said. The hike will follow a forest trail and will visit the Elmore Holly Collection, giving participants the opportunity to see the hollies still covered with berries. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum supports fire relief efforts in Gatlinburg

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bear-stephenson

Guests at the Gala Evening at the Children’s Museum on December 2 contributed $6,260 for the fire relief effort as Clinton auctioneer Bear Stephenson extended the auction of a Gatlinburg activities package to accept contributions for organizations supporting the community and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park after the wildfire that spread from the park into Gatlinburg earlier that week. (Submitted photo)

 

The generosity of Gatlinburg merchants in providing an auction package for the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge Gala resulted, in return, in generosity from the Children’s Museum and Gala attendees, who opened their wallets to support Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park after the devastating Chimney Tops fire.

Guests at the Gala Evening at the Children’s Museum on December 2 contributed $6,260 for the fire relief effort as Clinton auctioneer Bear Stephenson extended the auction of a Gatlinburg activities package to accept contributions for organizations supporting the community and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park after the wildfire that spread from the park into Gatlinburg earlier that week.

Martha Hart first raised the idea of donating to fire relief efforts by donating the proceeds from the Gatlinburg activities package back to the community. Hart, whose family owns Karen’s Jewelers, was helping manage the silent auction with her family as a volunteer at the Gala and suggested moving the Gatlinburg activities package from the silent to the live auction. [Read more…]