Oak Ridge Today

Santa makes early visit to Oak Ridge: Pancakes with Santa

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Santa-Lee-Morris-Dec-2015

Santa (aka: Lee Morris, of Oak Ridge) will be at Applebee’s Restaurant this Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, from 8 to 10 a.m. (Submitted photo)

 

Santa will make an early stop in Oak Ridge this Saturday, December 12, from 8 to 10 a.m. at Applebee’s Restaurant.

The public is invited to join Santa (aka: long time Oak Ridge resident Lee Morris) for a pancake breakfast to benefit CONTACT Care Line of East Tennessee.  Breakfast and an opportunity for a picture with Santa is $5.

Applebee’s is at 1213 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

Oak Ridge churches founded CONTACT in 1973, and the nonprofit agency now serves Knoxville and surrounding communities as well. Volunteers field approximately 10,000 calls per year. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools employees wear jeans to work, donate $5 each to help veterans

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Submitted by Oak Ridge Schools

On November 13, Oak Ridge Schools employees took part in the 2015 “Jeans For Troops” fundraising drive benefiting the GI Go Fund, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans returning home find employment, go to college, access their health care and financial benefits, and link to housing.

During the drive, in which schools and companies from all across the country participate, Oak Ridge Schools gave their employees the opportunity to wear jeans to work in exchange for a $5 donation to the GI Go Fund.

“I am so very proud of our staff who honored military veterans and their families through this fun event,” Superintendent Bruce Borchers said.

“For generations, America’s teachers have been responsible for educating America’s children,” said GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous. “They have always been individuals that mothers and fathers could rely on to set a positive example for their children. This Veterans Day, teachers around the country have set the example to our nation’s children that this is a day to remember the men and women who have fought and died to preserve our liberties, our freedoms, and the American way of life.” [Read more…]

Celebrate Christmas with Community Band on Dec. 13

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Community-Band-Canterfield-Christmas-2014

Members of the Oak Ridge Community Band perform at Canterfield Senior Living in December 2014. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Community Band/Wind Ensemble will perform in a free sing-along concert on Sunday, December 13.

“Come ring in the Christmas season,” a press release said.

The performance begins at 3:30 p.m. December 13 in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church at 1101 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Dress is casual, and there will be refreshments at the end of the program, the press release said. [Read more…]

Public invited to League’s holiday luncheon on Sunday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Stewart Clifton

Stewart Clifton

The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge has a holiday luncheon on Sunday, December 6, and the public is invited, a press release said. The luncheon is at Burchfield’s at the Doubletree Hotel in Oak Ridge.

The invitation is being extended to anyone interested in learning how the LWVOR and other League chapters across the state strive to make democracy work for Tennessee residents, the press release said.

The invited guest speaker, Stewart Clifton, will discuss the League’s work in Tennessee on issues such as education, climate change, homelessness, hazardous waste, mental health, immigration, and others that affect our families and communities, the release said. [Read more…]

CNS creates community investment fund; grant applications accepted

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Applications for grants from the Consolidated Nuclear Security Y-12 Community Investment Fund are being accepted. The application process started November 30.

Nonprofit organizations in CNS Y-12’s 20-county service area with projects or programs that address community needs and economic development opportunities are encouraged to apply for one-year grants, a press release said. The 20-county service area includes, but is not limited to, Anderson, Roane, and Knox counties.

CNS has established the fund through the East Tennessee Foundation as part of its commitment to Oak Ridge and surrounding counties, the press release said.

“With the leadership of the employee-based CNS Y-12 Investment Advisory Committee, CNS employees will have the opportunity to grant support where the need is greatest and the resources ae best allocated,” the release said.

Funding preferences include: [Read more…]

Land Bank ‘ahead of curve’ in repairing, redeveloping blighted homes

Posted at
By 3 Comments

Matt Widner and Charlie Jernigan Nov. 6, 2015

Matt Widner, Oak Ridge Community Development housing specialist, left, and Charlie Jernigan, board chair for the Oak Ridge Land Bank Corp., are pictured above during a housing work session on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A two-year-old effort to repair or redevelop blighted and abandoned homes in Oak Ridge is making above-average progress, an official said in November.

The Oak Ridge Land Bank Corporation, the first of its kind in Tennessee, has sold two homes and donated two and has more listed, board chair Charlie Jernigan said.

Other land banks around the country haven’t had any sales until their third year.

“We’re ahead of that curve,” Jernigan said after a November 6 work session on housing at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, the second this year. [Read more…]

BOE vice chair to discuss education in Oak Ridge on Tuesday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Bob Eby

Bob Eby

Robert Eby, vice chair of the Oak Ridge Board of Education, will discuss education in Oak Ridge at Lunch with the League on Tuesday, December 1.

Lunch with the League starts at noon in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

Eby is currently serving his fourth term on the board. He was chairman from 1991-1995. He is a graduate of Oak Ridge High School. [Read more…]

OREPA celebrates 16 years of Sunday vigils this week

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

OREPA Vigil Announcement Nov. 29, 2015

The Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance will celebrate 16 years of uninterrupted Sunday vigils at the gates of the Y-12 National Security Complex on Sunday, November 29, a press release said. The vigil starts at 5 p.m.

The vigils, which began on the first Sunday of Advent in November 1999, are intended to “bear witness to life and peace at the place where workers prepare for the destruction of the planet,” the press release said.

Thousands of people have attended the Sunday vigils; every continent except Antarctica has been represented; two presidental candidates have attended, the press release said.

“We welcome everyone to the vigils,” said OREPA coordinator Ralph Hutchison. “They attest to the persistent desire for peace and the refusal to be silent in the face of the threat Y12 poses to all humanity.”

For more information, contact Hutchison at (865) 776-5050.

Nominations being accepted for Anderson County Ally of the Year

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Submitted

Do you know someone who lives, works, does business, or worships in Anderson County who cares for its citizens and is passionate about creating a healthy and productive Anderson County? Then consider nominating them for Anderson County Ally of the Year.

ASAP’s Anderson County Ally of the Year campaign is a fundraising competition during January, coinciding with the Red Ribbon Rivalry among a select group of individuals in the community. While each candidate conducts their own campaign, all candidates are united by one goal: to use their leadership, influence, and communication skills to raise funds to help prevent and reduce substance abuse in Anderson County.

ASAP (Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention) of Anderson County has made significant reductions in the number of Anderson County students who have used alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. However, ASAP relies on the generosity of individuals and business to continue these efforts. By accepting the nomination, candidates will have from December 14, 2015, to January 28, 2016, to accumulate the most “votes.” Every dollar raised counts as one vote. The individual who raises the most votes during the campaign will be named the Anderson County Ally of the Year at the Awards Luncheon on January 29, 2016. [Read more…]

Manhattan Project Park: ‘Hanford’s Pioneers’ tour launches

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Sally-Jewell-Ernest-Moniz-Manhattan-Project-National-Historical-Park-Nov-10-2015-1

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz shortly after they signed a memorandum of agreement and created the 409th park in the National Park System, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. The park was authorized by Congress in December 2014. The park will have three sites in Los Alamos, New Mexico; Hanford, Washington; and Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The ceremony took place at the South Interior Building in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015. (NPS Photo by Anthony DeYoung)

 

By Atomic Heritage Foundation

The Atomic Heritage Foundation has launched an online program called “Hanford’s Pioneers,” where visitors can hear first-hand accounts of the people who lived on the Bruggemann ranch and other pre-war sites. This release is timely as the Manhattan Project National Historical Park was officially established last week, on Tuesday, November 10.

In a signing ceremony in Washington, D.C., Secretary of Energy Ernie Moniz and Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell made the park official. One of the original sponsors of the legislation, Senator Maria Cantwell, spoke of the importance of creating the park, which includes many pre-war sites.

Besides Hanford, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park also includes Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Los Alamos, New Mexico.

The “Hanford’s Pioneers” tour allows visitors to listen to stories from people who grew up in the towns of Hanford and White Bluffs and the Bruggemann farm, or lived in the Hanford construction camp. Visitors can choose from more than 30 short audio/visual vignettes. [Read more…]

Today: Yager’s chili supper, charity auction at Roane State benefits Habitat

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Ken Yager

Ken Yager

A chili supper and silent auction at Roane State Community College in Harriman today (Friday, November 20) will benefit Habitat for Humanity, and Governor Bill Haslam will attend, a press release said.

It’s the 22nd annual chili supper and silent auction by Tennessee Senator Ken Yager, a former Roane County executive who now serves in the Tennessee General Assembly representing District 12, which includes Campbell, Fentress, Morgan, Rhea, Roane, Pickett, and Scott counties.

The chili supper and silent auction is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, November 20 at Roane State Community College in Harriman. Haslam will join other state and local officials who will be celebrity servers at the event, the press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Symphony performs Saturday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Symphony with Dan Allcott

The Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra is pictured above with conductor Dan Allcott. (Photo by ORCMA)

 

The Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra will perform this Saturday. The “Baroque to Modern” concert will feature Telemann’s “Don Quixote,” Stravinsky’s “Pulcinella,” and Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings.”

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 21, at First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge. The church is at 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The concert is free to all students 18 and under, and special discount tickets are available to young adults, 19-29.

“It will be a fun, family-friendly concert—all are welcome!” organizers said. [Read more…]