Oak Ridge Today

ASAP recognizes those who help prevent substance abuse

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ASAP of Anderson has recognized people who have supported the mission to prevent and reduce substance use among youth and adults in Anderson County.

In December, Anna Hurt of Anderson County Schools, Matt Reedy of City of Oak Ridge, Teresa Seals of Oak Ridge High School, Lisa Steffensen of Roane State Community College, and the City of Rocky Top staff were recognized at a special Community Coalition meeting, a press release said.

“The COVID-19 pandemic brought a special set of challenges, and these amazing community partners continued to go above and beyond to support the work of ASAP during overwhelming times,” the press release said. “The staff at ASAP extends a sincere thank you to their 2021 Partners in Prevention and looks forward to advancing community efforts to prevent substance misuse in 2022.”

[Read more…]

Knoxville reporter to discuss redistricting

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Jesse Mayshark (Submitted photo)

Knoxville reporter Jesse Fox Mayshark will discuss redistricting during a virtual meeting on Tuesday, January 18.

The talk, sponsored by League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge, will be about redistricting transparency and engagement, a press release said. The community is invited to participate in the Lunch with the League talk, which is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. January 18.

“In an effort to keep everyone safe during this time of pandemic, the gathering will again be virtual,” the press release said. “Those who desire to gain access to the meeting may do so by following the instructions provided at the close of this article.”

Here is more information from the press release:

[Read more…]

Free Zoom presentation about conservation fisheries on Jan. 25

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Submitted photo

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society and Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning have a free Zoom presentation about conservation fisheries on Tuesday, January 25.

The presentation is scheduled to start at 7 p.m., and it will feature Conservation Fisheries, Inc., a nonprofit organization preserving the Southeast’s aquatic biodiversity, a press release said. The presenter, Pat Rakes, is co-director of Conservation Fisheries.

“He will explain the role and mission of CFI as well as its history, pictures of the hatchery, field work, and fish as well as cooperators in this important effort,” the press release said.

[Read more…]

FORNL talk about electrified infrastructure on Tuesday

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Richard Raines, seen here testifying in 2017 before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on efforts to protect the electric grid and the nation’s energy providers from cybersecurity threats. (Submitted photo)

 

Richard A. Raines, director of the Electrification and Energy Infrastructures Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, will talk about electrified infrastructure in the United States at noon Tuesday.

The virtual lecture will be to Friends of ORNL. Raines’ talk is titled “An Electrified U.S. Infrastructure Ecosystem: Opportunities and Challenges.”

He will address his division’s work with public and private partners to develop breakthroughs for the resilience and security of the electrical power grid, as well as to manage microgrid resources—solar power and battery energy storage—and smart home appliances to give homeowners precise control over their power supply and demand at a lower cost while ensuring reliable service, a press release said.

To view the virtual lecture, click on the talk title on the homepage of the www.fornl.org website and click on the Zoom link near the bottom of the page describing the lecture. Here is Raines’ summary of what he will talk about, according to a press release: [Read more…]

Reporter to discuss coal ash in Kingston, Anderson County

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Jamie Satterfield

Investigative reporter Jamie Satterfield will discuss the impact of the coal ash spill in Kingston and the coal ash stored in Claxton during an online meeting in January.

The presentation by Satterfield, who worked for the Knoxville News Sentinel, will be hosted by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge. The Lunch with the League is scheduled from 12-1 p.m. Tuesday, January 4.

“In an effort to keep everyone safe during this time of pandemic, the gathering will again be virtual,” a press release said. “Those who desire to gain access to the meeting may do so by following the instructions provided at the close of this article.”

The press release said a retaining wall of a dyke at the Kingston coal plant failed on Monday, December 22, 2008. It became the largest coal ash spill in United States history.

[Read more…]

Dodson, Wilson, others to be honored by Oak Ridge Chamber

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The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce will honor area business leaders and businesses during an awards dinner in January.

It’s the second annual An ExtraORdinary Evening Installation and Awards Dinner. It’s scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Friday, January 7, at the Oak Ridge Children’s Museum. The cocktail hour will begin at 6 p.m.

Jim Dodson and David Wilson will be presented with the Chamber’s most prestigious awards at the event, a press release said.

Dodson will be the recipient of the Eugene L. Joyce Lifetime Achievement Award, the press release said. [Read more…]

Tickets on sale for Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival

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The 5th Annual Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival in Oak Ridge will feature three world-class storytellers from June 2-4, 2022: Sheila Arnold, Bil Lepp, and Kim Weitkamp. (Submitted photo)

The Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival in Oak Ridge in June will feature three renowned storytellers: Sheila Arnold, Bil Lepp, and Kim Weitkamp. The festival is scheduled from June 2-4, and “early bird” tickets are now on sale. This fifth annual event will be in person with four shows at the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge, and it will include the story of the Oak Ridge 85.

Early bird tickets can be purchased online at Eventbrite or the Ferrell Shop (cash or check only) in Oak Ridge. “This is a great Christmas gift for all ages,” a press release said.

The two-day storytelling event on Friday and Saturday will feature Arnold, Lepp and Weitkamp, “who are known to audiences nationwide for their wit, wisdom, and abilities to make audiences laugh, cry, and reminisce,” the press release said.

On Thursday, June 2, Lepp will lead a workshop.

Arnold will highlight the Friday night performance by telling the story of the Oak Ridge 85, the 85 brave young people who were the first to desegregate a school district in the South, the press release said.

“Few people know of this 1955 milestone event that took place in Oak Ridge,” the press release said. “Sheila will honor the Oak Ridge 85 by telling some of their stories.”

[Read more…]

Santa, Mrs. Claus plus Christmas carols in Jackson Square

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Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in Jackson Square from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, December 18, and members of the Oak Ridge Choral Society will lead people in Christmas carols at 4 p.m.

The celebration is being sponsored by the merchants of Jackson Square.

“Come join us as we gather around the tree,” a press release said.

“Giving and receiving are an important part of the holiday season and our ‘Lights of Hope Tree Decorating Contest’ is currently going on until December 30,” the press release said. “There are seven trees secured to lamp posts around the Square. Each tree was decorated by a nonprofit in our area. You cast votes by donating dollars. Each vote is worth one dollar.”

[Read more…]

First employee art contest raises $608 for Project Safe, ADFAC

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Back row, left to right, are Brittany Burger, Oak Ridge Police Department (ORPD); Jim Sherrill, Utilities Business Office (UBO); Lt. Matthew Tedford, ORPD; and Andrew Lape, UBO. Middle row, left to right, are Rachelle Clowers, Jamie Fischer, DeDe Wolfe, and Amy Justice, all of UBO. Front row, left to right, are Marlene Bannon, UBO; Kirsten Aslinger, UBO; Annie Cacheiro, ADFAC; and Joey Smith, ADFAC. (Submitted photo)


The City of Oak Ridge had its first employee art contest benefitting Project Safe, a program administered by Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC), this fall, and the winners and donation totals are in, a press release said.

The theme for the inaugural art contest, which ran from October 4 through November 17, 2021, was “City of Oak Ridge Facilities, Services, or People.”

Employees were invited to create artwork within this theme and then the work was placed on display for voting.

Employees could make $1 donations to Project Safe to cast a vote for their favorite pieces. Project Safe helps those in our community who need assistance with utility bills, the press release said.

[Read more…]

Cook’s Comfort Systems donates heat, air unit to Oak Ridge Nursery School

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Cook’s Comfort Systems installs a heat and air conditioning unit at Oak Ridge Nursery School on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. From right are Lisa Shortridge, Oak Ridge Nursery School director, with her son Brennen; Jawrell Cook, owner of Cook’s Comfort Systems in Oak Ridge; lead installer Bryan Vick; and installer Louis Baillargeon with his son Lucas. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Cook’s Comfort Systems of Oak Ridge donated a heating and air-conditioning unit to Oak Ridge Nursery School, and workers installed it this month.

The donation, which included the labor of two workers, was valued at about $8,000, said Jawrell Cook, owner of Cook’s Comfort Systems on Union Valley Road in Oak Ridge.

“They need the help,” Cook said of Oak Ridge Nursery School. The pandemic has been difficult for many organizations, Cook said.

He said he had three sons attend Oak Ridge Nursery School more than 20 years ago, and one of his employees has a son at the nursery school now.

[Read more…]

ORHS Band has holiday concert Thursday

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Josh Hunt, University of Tennessee music intern, with the Oak Ridge High School Band trumpets rehearsing for a Holiday Concert on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge High School Band will have a Holiday Concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 16, in the ORHS Performing Arts Center.

“Come enjoy an hour of music with the Percussion Ensemble, JazzKats, and Concert Band students as each group showcases their talent,” a press release said. “Fan favorite, ‘Sleigh Ride,’ by Leroy Anderson is a must hear!” [Read more…]

Literacy grants available

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Literacy grants for 2022 are now open for projects in Anderson and Roane counties. The grants are made possible by the annual Lunch for Literacy in Oak Ridge, a joint effort by Altrusa of Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club.

Application packages must be received by January 15. If you would like an application or have questions, send an email to lunch4literacygrants@gmail.com or call Dean Cheatham at (760) 443-4379.