Oak Ridge Today

Photos: Oak Ridge Velo Classic bike races, bike rodeo

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Oak Ridge Velo Classic Men Pro/I Race 2015

Organizers of the annual Oak Ridge Velo Classic describe the criterium races as being like NASCAR on bikes. Above is the Men Pro/I race on Sunday, July 26, 2015, at Horizon Center. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A bicycle racing event in Oak Ridge this past weekend (July 25 and 26) featured three types of races, a Family Wellness Festival, and a Kids Bike Rodeo. It was the URS-CH2M Oak Ridge LLC (UCOR) Oak Ridge Velo Classic.

There were three types of races that included 13 categories of competitors. Road races and time trials were staged from the parking area of the East Tennessee Technology Park on Saturday, July 25, and the criterium races were held at the Horizon Center on Sunday. This year’s criterium races—which are very much like “NASCAR on bikes”—were designated the state championships by the Tennessee Bicycle Racing Association.

The race promoters expected almost 400 competitors for the two-day event. Riders came from as far away as Florida and Ohio.

The Velo Classic also featured a Family Wellness Festival at the Horizon Center that kicked off with a noncompetitive Family Fun Ride on Sunday morning. The Wellness Festival included a Kids Bike Rodeo. [Read more…]

ORNL has United Way kickoff, hosts agency fair

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ORNL United Way Kickoff

Oak Ridge National Laboratory hosted its United Way kickoff on Monday, July 27, 2015. (Photo by ORNL/Jason Richards)

 

Oak Ridge National Laboratory hosted its United Way kickoff event on Monday by hosting an agency fair with representatives from about 20 United Way agencies. The kickoff emphasized the agencies that United Way supports.

The lab said the agency fair was well-attended and gave ORNL staff an opportunity to meet with representatives from approximately 20 United Way organizations.

The ORNL United Way Campaign supports 17 East Tennessee counties including Anderson, Roane, Knox, and Loudon.

Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

ORNL United Way Agency Fair

The United Way kickoff at ORNL on Monday, July 27, included an agency fair with representatives from about 20 agencies. (Photo by ORNL/Jason Richards)

 

Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

ADFAC school supplies distribution under way

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Clinton Fire Department and ADFAC School Supplies

Members of the Clinton Fire Department spend a morning packing school supplies, loading the fire truck, and delivering them to Clinton schools. (Submitted photo)

 

Since Thursday, July 9, volunteers from all over Anderson County have been sorting donated school supplies for Oak Ridge and Anderson County schools, packing them in bags and backpacks that are loaded into vehicles and distributing the packed items to classrooms.

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties has been coordinating the collection, packing, and distribution of school supplies for 26 years. As a result, teachers aren’t obliged to spend their hard-earned money on items needed by their growing number of students from disadvantaged families.

Last year. ADFAC provided school supplies to more than 2,500 area students from disadvantaged families. This year, the local nonprofit service organization’s staff hopes to increase the number of school supplies by 12 percent with the help of ongoing support from the community. [Read more…]

Donations of $25K given to start AC animal shelter

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Anderson County Animal Shelter Eagle Bend Donation

Ed Steinebach, right, general manager for Magna International’s Eagle Bend Manufacturing plant located in Clinton, announces a $10,000 donation to start an animal shelter in Anderson County. Also pictured are Anderson County Commissioner Robin Biloski, left, and Mayor Terry Frank, center. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

CLINTON—A total of $25,000 in donations was announced on Monday to help start an animal shelter in Anderson County.

The first donation of $10,000 was announced by Ed Steinebach, general manager for Magna International’s Eagle Bend Manufacturing plant in Clinton. Steinebach said his company is number two in the world for automotive manufacturing, and it is very important to give back to the community.

A matching donation of $10,000 was announced by Eileen Slater from her and NOAH Companion Animal Center in Marlow. Slater said it is very urgent to set up a holding facility at Blockhouse Valley Road.

The third donation of $5,000 was announced by members of S.A.R.G. (Shelter Animals Rescue Group), a nonprofit organization. [Read more…]

Velo Classic on July 25, 26 to feature bike races, Wellness Fest, Kids Bike Rodeo

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Oak Ridge Criterium

A picture from a previous Criterium race in Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

 

A bicycle racing event in Oak Ridge on July 25 and 26 will feature three types of races, a Family Wellness Festival, and a Kids Bike Rodeo.

It’s the URS-CH2M Oak Ridge LLC (UCOR) Oak Ridge Velo Classic.

Three types of races that include 13 categories of competitors will be offered. The road races and time trials will be staged from the parking area of the East Tennessee Technology Park beginning at 9 a.m., Saturday, July 25, and the criterium races will be held at the Horizon Center beginning at 8:30 a.m., Sunday, July 26. This year’s criterium races—which are very much like “NASCAR on bikes”—have been designated the state championships by the Tennessee Bicycle Racing Association.

The race promoters expect almost 400 competitors for the two-day event. The Comfort Inn is the official race hotel and is offering special rates to out-of-town competitors. Early race packet pickup will be held at a reception on Friday evening, July 24, poolside at the Comfort Inn. [Read more…]

Free Medical Clinic fundraiser on Aug. 8 to feature rock band, dancers

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The Hit Men

The Hit Men, a rock and pop dance band, will perform at the FMC Bash on Aug. 8, a fundraiser for the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

 

Hit Men, a Knoxville rock and pop dance band, will provide music for dancing during the FMC Bash on Saturday, August 8. It’s the annual fundraiser for the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge.

The fundraiser will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. August 8 in the Parish Life Center of St. Mary’s Church at 327 Vermont Avenue. It will include a catered dinner, Celebrity Dance Contest, and live auction conducted by the entertaining Bear Stephenson.

Band members are Alan Keck, lead vocals and guitar; Bob Andres, vocals, lead guitar, and flute; Pat Andres, vocals and keyboard; Uwe Lueth, drums, and Mark Akers, bass. You can learn more about them by visiting their website.

Couples who have entered in the Celebrity Dance Contest are Sharon and Brian Annis, Naomi Asher and Jim Dodson, Tom Beehan and Kay Brookshire, David and Sandy Bradshaw, Gene Caldwell and Dottie Thompson, Keys Fillauer and Scott Hinton, Judy Gooch and Michael Shrader, Austin Keathley and a secret partner, and Nancy Stanley and Gary Riser. [Read more…]

Techmer PM becomes benefactor sponsor for ADFAC

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Techmer PM Donates to ADFAC

Committee members of the Techmer PM Employee Volunteerism Program celebrate their corporate donation to ADFAC. From left, Matthew Caruso, Kimberly Williamson, Otella Seeber, Nicole Brannick, Ron Lawson, and ADFAC’s executive director, Annie Cacheiro. EVP committee members not pictured: Darren Jones and Rachel Turner. (Photo courtesy ADFAC)

 

ADFAC announced on Friday that Techmer PM has become a benefactor sponsor for its 2015 Corporate Membership Campaign.

The Techmer PM Employee Volunteerism Program committee members presented their donation on behalf of the company to ADFAC’s executive director, Annie Cacheiro, a press release said.

The Techmer PM Employee Volunteerism Program, or EVP, was created to support, encourage, and coordinate the volunteer efforts of their employees, the release said. Its mission is to invest time in national, regional, and local initiatives that improve the quality of life for those in their communities. Charitable support is focused in three areas: youth programs, homeless/indigent, and military. [Read more…]

Lester to serve as president of Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary in 2015-2016

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Tony Lester and Kelly Callison

New Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club President Tony Lester, left, accepts the president’s gavel from outgoing President Kelly Callison. (Photo by ORBRC)

The Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club president for the year 2015-2016 is Tony Lester, a press release said.

Lester has been a Rotarian since 1998 and has previously served as Foundation chair for ORBRC.

Having a close family member who has polio inspired Tony to become more involved in Rotary’s worldwide campaign to eradicate the disease.

He has also served on the boards of the Anderson County United Way, WDVX, and the Jubilee Community Arts. [Read more…]

Harrison named CASA executive director

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Edward “Eddie” Harrison

Edward “Eddie” Harrison

Edward “Eddie” Harrison has been named executive director of CASA of the Tennessee Heartland, a nonprofit organization that recruits, trains, and empowers volunteers to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children in Anderson, Scott, and Blount counties.

Harrison has dedicated his life to the empowerment and mentorship of young men and women living in disadvantaged communities and homes, and has been an advocate for East Tennessee youth for 12 years, a press release said.

“Eddie brings deep experience working as an advocate for disadvantaged kids and nonprofit management to CASA,” Board President John Willis said.

Prior to his work with CASA, Harrison served as the house manager for Columbus Home and earlier as the executive director of Montgomery Village Ministry. [Read more…]

Golf tournament to benefit Free Medical Clinic

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Free Medical Clinic

A golf tournament in August will benefit the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge.

It’s the 16th Annual Summer Golf Challenge for the Free Medical Clinic, and it will be held on Saturday, August 15, at the Oak Ridge Country Club. The tournament has a 1:30 p.m. shotgun start, and it is hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority of Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Hoofers Golf Club, and the Oak Ridge Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

The Free Medical Clinic is a nonprofit medical group that provides medical care at no cost to residents of Anderson, Roane, and Morgan Counties who do not have insurance or cannot afford care because of low income. The clinic is staffed primarily by volunteers and relies on donations from individuals, churches, and local organizations for financial support. Although the number of patients seeking care has increased significantly in recent months and donations have not kept pace, the clinic continues to serve as many as possible with the resources at hand. [Read more…]

Y-12 raises $13,759 for Anderson County Relay for Life

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Joe Marshall

Joe Marshall is one of Y-12’s cancer survivors who took his victory lap at the Anderson County Relay for Life. (Photo by Y-12)

Employees at Y-12 National Security Complex raised $13,759 for Anderson County Relay for Life, which raises money to help fight cancer.

Here is more information from Y-12:

Joe Marshall is one of Y-12’s cancer survivors who took his victory lap at the Anderson County Relay for Life.

What do relays, races, and regattas have in common? They’re all ways Y‑12 employees stay active and support the community.

After hours, Y‑12ers are all about staying active and supporting their communities. Here’s a roundup of the activities: [Read more…]

Habitat for Humanity celebrates volunteers of the month

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By Charlotte Bowers

Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County has been blessed with incredible volunteers. Last year, we decided that we would like to recognize individual volunteers each month. Our community retailers and restaurants have been very generous in donating gift certificates and other items to reward our special monthly volunteers. Oak Ridge Floral, located in Grove Center, donated bouquets of flowers. Terry Stansberry, owner of Terry Tags, made a beautiful plaque. Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches, The Soup Kitchen, Red Lobster, Krystal, and IHOP all donated gift certificates for these special volunteers.

Mary McKeethan

Mary McKeethan 

 

The Volunteer of the Month for April was Mary McKeethan. Mary has been volunteering her time in the ReStore since 2010. Her warm smile and friendly attitude make her a favorite of our customers. After Mary retired from the Jackson Square Pharmacy, she decided she wanted to do something for the community. Liz Vane, former family services coordinator at Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County, told her about Habitat. She decided that working at the ReStore would be a fun way to serve because she likes people. Working in retail made her realize she loved interacting with the public. She also loves working with children. After substitute teaching for many years and teaching Sunday School at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oak Ridge, she now volunteers with the after-school program at Willow Brook Elementary School.

Jim Bailey

Part of the Wednesday crew with Jim Bailey at center. (Submitted photo)

 

 

The Volunteer of the Month for May was Jim Bailey. [Read more…]