Oak Ridge Today

Spotlight: Rotary leads fight against polio

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‘We are this close to ending polio’

Rotary International, which includes some 1.3 million members in 33,000 clubs in more than 200 countries around the world, celebrated October 24 as World Polio Day.

Since 1985, Rotary has led the battle against polio, as worldwide cases plummeted from 350,000 per year to several hundred—a 99 percent reduction.

“This is a source of pride to Rotarians everywhere,” says District Governor Jerry Wear of Rotary District 6780, which includes East Tennessee. “In our relentless fundraising efforts and our participation in inoculation days around the world, Rotarians are committed to carrying this important mission to completion.”

Today, polio is endemic in only three countries—Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan. When India came off that list in 2012, it was an important step toward eradicating a human disease from the earth for only the second time in history. (The first disease so eradicated was smallpox.) [Read more…]

Czech-Slovak folk dress on exhibit at Children’s Museum Nov. 5-9

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Beaded Wedding Cap

Beaded Wedding Cap (Submitted photo)

 

“Beaded Glory,” an exhibit of Czech and Slovak folk dress and folk art portraying the artistry and skill of village people in adorning their clothing, will be on display at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge from November 5-9. An opening reception for the exhibit will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, November 6, in Imagination Gallery at the museum.

The exhibit will showcase beaded wedding headdresses, embroidered aprons and blouses, intricate dyed and appliqued leather in sheepskin vests, lace-trimmed ritual cloths, and a rare Bohemian wedding vest decorated with hundreds of carved fish scales. Dolls in folk dress will also be on display.

“A hundred years ago, your village dress told so much about you—whether you were young or old, married or single, a widow or a nursing mother, a young man going off to military service, or someone in mourning. The tremendous variety from village to village is amazing,” said Helene Baine Cincebeaux, of Rochester, New York, who is bringing the exhibit to the Children’s Museum. [Read more…]

‘Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award’ to honor Myrick on Oct. 30

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ADFAC Bow Tie Event Committee

Members of ADFAC’s Bow Tie Event Committee are pictured above. (Submitted photo)

 

Submitted

Get your best bow ties ready—the second annual “Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award” will be presented on Thursday, October 30, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Y-12’s New Hope Center.

The Bow Tie Award and Fund was established in 2013 to honor the memory of Bill Wilcox. Known for his trademark bow ties, Wilcox was an active and loyal supporter of numerous community, civic, and religious organizations, including ADFAC. The Bow Tie Award honors local individuals who, like Wilcox, selflessly share their gifts for the betterment and well-being of the community and its citizens.

“We are pleased to announce the committee has unanimously selected Tim Myrick as the recipient of the 2014 Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award,” said Louise Mixon, chair of the Bow Tie committee. “Tim is a delightful example of the values this award seeks to recognize. His steadfast commitment to ADFAC and many other organizations made him an easy choice for this distinction.” [Read more…]

Doctor, candidate to discuss health care with AAUW on Monday

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Mary Headrick

Mary Headrick

Mary Headrick, a doctor and congressional candidate, will discuss health care during a lunch meeting with the AAUW on Monday, October 27.

Headrick’s talk is titled “Health Care Challenges: Age, Technology, Chronic Disease Management.”

The AAUW meeting starts at 11:30 a.m. Monday in Room 102 of the First Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

ASAP has strategic planning retreat Monday

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ASAP Logo

For the past four years, Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention, or ASAP, has been funded by the Drug-Free Communities Support Program. This 10-year grant-funded program has provided training, technical assistance, and financial support for the implementation of environmental prevention strategies in Anderson County, a press release said. ASAP has just entered the final year of the first phase of the grant program.

“We have enjoyed automatic renewal of our grant for several years, but we now face competitive renewal for the second five-year term,” the press release said.

The Drug-Free Communities Grant is a highly competitive program, funding a small percentage of applicants each year. To ensure the coalition is prepared with a strong action plan, ASAP invites residents to participate in a strategic planning retreat on Monday, October 27, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Associated Universities’ main campus at 100 ORAU Way in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Owl Prowl at UT Arboretum tonight

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Owl Prowl

The annual Owl Prowl is at the University of Tennessee Arboretum tonight (Saturday, October 25).

It’s one of the most popular events at the Arboretum, a press release said. It’s sponsored by the UT Arboretum Society.

The Arboretum is at 901 South Illinois Avenue (Highway 62) in Oak Ridge.

Owl Prowl is resented by the Clinch River Raptor Center, and Kathy Strunk and Katie Cottrell will bring live owls for display and will give information about their natural history. [Read more…]

‘Scooby Doo’-themed Halloween Party at EVC tonight

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A Halloween Party at the Emory Valley Center tonight (Saturday, October 25) will feature a “Scooby Doo-Mystery at the Gym” theme.

The party is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. at the EVC/Daniel Arthur Gym at 728 Emory Valley Road in Oak Ridge.

Organizers from The Arc-Anderson County encouraged those who attend to wear a costume, but not one that is too scary. There will be a contest and prizes.

“Bring a snack to share with your friends,” organizers said. “Bring a bag of wrapped candy. Invite your friends.”

Heritage tourism expert to speak at AMSE community meeting Thursday

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Lee Waddell Curtis

Lee Waddell Curtis

The last in a series of four community meetings on the American Museum of Science and Energy will feature a state heritage tourism expert.

Lee Waddell Curtis, director of program development and legislative liaison for the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, will discuss the growth and significance of heritage tourism in Tennessee during a Thursday evening meeting at AMSE.

The community meetings have been sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge and the American Museum of Science and Energy Foundation. They are designed to gather input on the future of AMSE operations.

A press release said Curtis has an extensive background in cultural and heritage tourism, and her responsibilities include overseeing and developing the Tennessee Civil War Trails program and serving as the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development’s heritage tourism contact. In addition, she represents the department on several national and statewide organizations, and served as a board member of the state’s Sesquicentennial Commission. [Read more…]

Watson to discuss State of the City at Lunch with League on Tuesday

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Mark Watson

Mark Watson

Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson will discuss the State of the City with the League of Women Voters on Tuesday.

During the annual event, Watson is also expected to give his perspective on issues facing the city, a press release said.

The Tuesday meeting starts at noon Tuesday, October 21, in the Social Hall of the new Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church location at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike (north of the Joe L. Evins Federal Building, which is home to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office). [Read more…]

ADFAC annual meeting this evening

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ADFAC has its annual meeting this evening. At the meeting, new board members will be elected, and the 2013 annual report will be made available. The inaugural “Silent Hero” award will also be presented.

The meeting is scheduled from 5:15-6:15 p.m. today (Monday, October 20) in Room 102 of the Activities Building at First Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Pumpkin Bagel Fest features fundraising, ‘bagel chunking fun’

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Many know what pumpkin chunking is—the act of turning a pumpkin into a projectile, but few have seen it done with a bagel. Yes, those round doughy breakfast items will be flung on Saturday, October 18, at the Pumpkin Bagel Fest.

The event, coordinated by Hot Bagel Company, will be held in the Manhattan Place (Food City) parking lot in Oak Ridge from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Participants must create their own catapult to compete for distance and target. Entries from local Boy Scout troops and Lake City schools are expected, but additional entries are welcome. [Read more…]

Dine and Donate, an ADFAC fundraiser, returns Monday

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ADFAC Dine and Donate at Salsarita's

Will and Leo Mauk-Olson help deliver supplies to Salsarita’s in Oak Ridge. Salsarita’s is a first-time Dine and Donate participant and one of five local restaurants participating year-round. (Submitted photo)

Dine and Donate, a fundraiser for ADFAC, begins its second year of food and fellowship on Monday, October 13.

On Dine and Donate Mondays (the second Monday of each month), seven to eight local restaurants donate a significant portion of their daily sales to ADFAC (Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties).

“Dine and Donate is a great way for local residents to try new restaurants or visit their favorites,” said ADFAC Board Member Cande Seay, who also chairs the Dine and Donate committee. “Last year, hundreds of local families and over a dozen restaurants came together to raise thousands of dollars to support ADFAC’s mission.”

Restaurants participating on Monday, October 13, are Hoskins and Riverview Grill in Clinton, and Mediterranean Delight, The Other One, Papa Murphy’s, Razzleberry’s, and Salsarita’s in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]