Oak Ridge Today

Atomic Heritage to discuss Manhattan Project interpretation with Japanese mayors

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Hiroshima Peace Bell

Hiroshima Peace Bell (Source: Atomic Heritage Foundation)

 

The Atomic Heritage Foundation will meet Friday with the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to discuss the interpretation of the Manhattan Project, the top-secret effort in World War II to create an atomic bomb, and its legacy for the world today, a press release said.

The meeting will be at the Institute of International Education at the United Nations Plaza in New York.

The Atomic Heritage Foundation led efforts to establish a Manhattan Project National Historical Park for more than a decade. (The City of Oak Ridge also supported the park and lobbied for it.) The park was approved in legislation that passed Congress in December, and it includes Oak Ridge, Tennessee; Hanford, Washington; and Los Alamos, New Mexico.

“Now AHF is working on the interpretation of the park and welcomes a dialogue with the Japanese to consider this world-changing history from both an American and an international perspective,” the press release said. “The meeting with the mayors is a first step in the process.” [Read more…]

Chocolate Evening will benefit Agape House on May 9

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Chocolate Desserts

Truffles, fudge, brownies, cake, and plenty of chocolate tastes to satisfy a sweet tooth will be offered at “An Evening of Everything Chocolate” on Saturday, May 9, in support of Agape House of Oak Ridge.

The evening, from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will feature 10 tasting stations with a variety of chocolate culinary temptations, along with coffee and tea to wash them down.

Bakers and candy makers are invited to bring their best creations to the evening’s baking contest. For an entry fee of $10, bakers may enter any dessert containing chocolate, with celebrity judges tasting the entries and awarding a gold medal to the winning dessert. The dessert should contain eight servings. Contest judges will be caterer Judy Dodd, Oak Ridge City Council member Rick Chinn, and Oak Ridge School Board Chairman Keys Fillauer. [Read more…]

ORHS Reunion supports Emory Valley Center Campaign

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ORHS Class of 1964 EVC Check Presentation

First row, from left to right, are Cathy Thompson, Dottie Thompson, ORHS Class of 1964 Reunion Chairman Tommy McIntyre presenting the final check to EVC President Jennifer Enderson, Mary Kahaida Lowery, and EVC Development Director Janet Wood. Second row, from left to right, are Gene Caldwell, Janice Pugh Craft, Michele Craft, Glenda Carringer Langenberg, Judy McGown Russell, Reverend Robert “Bob” Cantrell, and Phillip Boatner. (Submitted photo)

 

Last September’s 50th Reunion for Oak Ridge High School Class of 1964 was typical in many respects. Somewhat unusual was the class commitment to a reunion service project. Before, during, and after the Reunion, class members contributed financial support to the Emory Valley Center Capital Campaign.

On February 2, Reunion Committee Chairman Tommy McIntyre and several Committee members presented $550 to Emory Valley Center President Jennifer Enderson as the final class campaign contribution for this reunion year. The check brought the total contribution to $8,190.

Representing the Center with Enderson were Cathy Thompson, Phillip Boatner, and Michele Craft, who receive support from the Center; Boatner’s Caregiver Kathy Bunch; EVC staff members Janet Wood and Daisy Mullins; and Campaign Co-Chairs Gene Caldwell and Dottie Thompson. [Read more…]

Asher named executive director of United Way of Anderson County

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Naomi Asher

Naomi Asher

Naomi Asher has been selected as the next executive director of the United Way of Anderson County. She starts Monday, May 4.

Asher was picked for the position by the United Way of Anderson County Board of Directors.

“Ms. Asher has the unique set of experiences the Search Committee was looking for in candidates,” said Tom Hilton, incoming president of the United Way Board of Directors. “She knows the community and can hit the ground running on May 4.”

The organization conducted a national search.

“We advertised the position nationwide and were very pleased that we found the perfect match for the organization in our own backyard,” said Greta Ownby, outgoing president of the United Way Board of Directors. [Read more…]

Alpha Kappa Alpha fundraiser will benefit TORCH, Pat Summitt Foundation, KARM

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A June fundraiser will benefit three nonprofit organizations: TORCH, the Pat Summitt Foundation, and Knox Area Rescue Ministries, or KARM.

The June 13 fundraiser is sponsored by members of the Oak Ridge Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA) Incorporated. The fundraiser, “Dancing with the AKAs,” will take place in the Knoxville Expo Center Ballroom on Clinton Highway.

The three nonprofits provide important services to the local communities, a press release said. TORCH, or Trinity Out-Reach Center of Hope, of Oak Ridge, provides supportive services and intensive care management to help the homeless. The Pat Summitt Foundation fights Alzheimer’s disease with a comprehensive approach. And KARM seeks to rescue the poor and provide life skills training and educational opportunities. [Read more…]

Gooch to discuss positive developments, challenges, community survey

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Warren Gooch

Warren Gooch

Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch will give an update on positive developments and identify challenges during a lunchtime meeting on Tuesday, May 5. Gooch will also discuss the results of a recent community survey and could discuss other issues that affect Oak Ridge, a press release said.

The mayor will be the guest speaker at Lunch with the League on Tuesday, May 5. The program will start at noon in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The press release said Gooch ran for Oak Ridge City Council in 2014 because he believed in Oak Ridge, had great pride in a city with an unparalleled history of accomplishments, and wanted to be an active part of the city’s future. He was elected in November 2014 and then chosen by fellow City Council member to serve as Oak Ridge mayor. [Read more…]

Earth Day Festival is Saturday in Oak Ridge

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Earth Day Festival Oak Ridge

The annual Earth Day Festival is Saturday at Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

The eighth annual Earth Day festival in Oak Ridge is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at Alvin K. Bissell Park.

See this story for more information.

Arts Council asks for your support in United Arts Fund Drive

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Arts Council of Oak Ridge Logo

The Arts Council of Oak Ridge is asking for your support in this year’s United Arts Fund Drive.

The annual drive kicked off March 15 and ends April 30.

Here is the letter the Arts Council sent to arts supporters in March:

Dear Arts Supporter,

Oak Ridge has always had a strong arts community—even as a secret city—and the arts continue to be essential to the health and vitality of Oak Ridge and Anderson County today. They enhance community development, spur urban renewal, attract new businesses, draw tourism dollars, create an attractive environment for skilled, educated workers, and help make the Oak Ridge area a great place to live, work, worship, and play. The arts organizations in Oak Ridge are vital because they support and supplement school activities, attract tourists and visitors, and offer volunteer and participation opportunities. [Read more…]

Friday fundraiser benefits Emory Valley Center

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Derrick Michael Tennant

Derrick Michael Tennant

A Friday fundraiser will benefit the Emory Valley Center’s Capital Campaign. Proceeds will benefit the ongoing campaign for a new building to better serve children and adults with disabilities in the community, a press release said.

The Knights of Columbus and St. Mary’s “Spring Love and Laughter” fundraiser is scheduled from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 24, in the St. Mary’s Church Gym. It will feature a full-course meal prepared by the organizations.

Tickets have sold quickly, but there are still some available for purchase for $40 each or $70 for two, the press release said. Attendees will be served their buffet-style meal by youth of St. Mary’s Church, laugh with featured inspirational speaker and professional comedian Derrick Michael Tennant, and have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction. [Read more…]

Letter: Lunch 4 Literacy thanks 2015 sponsors

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To the Editor:

Each year in March a special group of generous company sponsors pool their resources and, along with individuals from our community, support the annual literacy program of the Altrusa International Club of Oak Ridge and Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club. The Lunch 4 Literacy event raises between $15,000 and $20,000 routinely, which allows our community to support exceptional projects that promote literacy and ensure attention is given to the literacy needs that, without the generosity of our sponsors and individual contributors, could go unmet.

The lack of literacy skills is a serious problem within our communities. The reality is that often simple but effective programs can have a profound impact on individuals that enable them to realize their full potential in life. Without these very effective efforts made possible by grants from Lunch 4 Literacy, people in our communities, limited by a lack of basic skills, continue to fail in areas many of us take for granted. Until you have personally encountered illiteracy and its awful adverse impact, it is hard to fully appreciate the value of simply reading and understanding what is read. Through the continuing supportive efforts of our sponsoring companies we are making a difference in our communities! [Read more…]

Tickets going fast for Weinberg film

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Alvin Weinberg Poster

If Alvin Weinberg, the most famous of Oak Ridgers, were alive today, he would be celebrating his 100th birthday.

This Thursday evening, as many as 600 people will celebrate his centenary by watching for free “Alvin Weinberg,” a documentary film by Oak Ridge’s Keith McDaniel.

The one-hour film, which is of PBS quality, will be shown at 6:30 and 8 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at the American Museum of Science and Energy.

The first showing is “sold out,” but a few seats are left for the second free showing at 8 p.m. To reserve a seat, you must call Connor Matthews at (865) 705-5890 or Tom Row at (865) 705-5174.

State grant of $250K will help build eighth lane at Oak Ridge rowing course

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Oak Ridge Rowing Lane Announcement

Tennessee Rep. John Ragan, an Oak Ridge Republican, announces a $250,000 state grant for an eighth lane at the Oak Ridge rowing course on Sunday. Also pictured from left are Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, Sen. Randy McNally, Anderson County Chamber of Commerce President Rick Meredith, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Director Jon Hetrick, Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau President Marc DeRose, Oak Ridge City Council member Rick Chinn, and Oak Ridge Rowing Association President Russell Byrd.

 

A $250,000 state grant announced Sunday will be used to help build an eighth lane at the Oak Ridge rowing course. And that’s expected to significantly increase the economic impact of rowing races, or regattas, officials said.

The eighth lane has been on the city’s wish list for years, and it will allow the Oak Ridge Rowing Association to compete for bigger races and international regattas and provide more on-water capacity, allowing more competitors in events like this weekend’s SIRA Regatta.

According to rough estimates, the eighth lane could cost about $350,000 total, said Oak Ridge City Council member Rick Chinn, the father of two former rowers and a rower himself. That means the City of Oak Ridge might have to contribute up to $100,000 to complete the project.

Tennessee Representative John Ragan, the Oak Ridge Republican who spearheaded the effort to get state funding, said the regional impact of the regattas in Oak Ridge is estimated at $13 million now, but it could increase to $33 million, according to a University of Tennessee study. [Read more…]