Oak Ridge Today

Interfaith Harmony events on Friday, Saturday

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On Friday, February 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge at 101 West Madison Lane invites the public to a joyful and spirited Friday evening service to welcome Shabbat, a press release said. All ages, including children, can enjoy a lively service with singing and dancing. A community potluck dinner immediately follows with vegetarian/dairy-only dishes and no meat.

On Saturday, February 16, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. the Ecumenical Storehouse located at 134 East Division Road needs “trucks and muscles” to assist in picking up donated items. This assistance from community volunteers is an ongoing need for Saturday mornings.

On Saturday, February 16, the Scarboro Community Center invites everyone to join together and break bread to celebrate Black History Month. There will be a free chili luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Scarboro Community Center at 148 Carver Avenue. At 4 p.m. the play “Oh Freedom” will be presented at Oak Valley Baptist Church at 194 Hampton Road. [Read more…]

Y-12, Pantex give more than $1 million to United Way

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The sign at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The sign at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Contributions to the United Way from the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, topped $1 million in 2018. The donations were collected from employees and retirees, according to Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, which manages and operates the two sites.

The sites engaged in year-long campaigns to generate money for the United Way, raising funds through silent auctions and various jewelry, book, and food sales at the sites as well as employee contributions, CNS said in a press release. A $150,000 donation from the parent companies of CNS was also included in the total.

“One of the best ways to help our local communities is through the United Way,” Y-12 Site Manager Bill Tindal said. “Y-12 and East Tennessee are special places because of the commitment of our employees to giving back to our neighbors.” [Read more…]

‘Before the Secret’ photo exhibit opens Thursday at Children’s Museum

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J. Nash Copeland Store 1939 74-220 County Store Oak Ridge Tennessee (Photo submitted by National Park Service)

J. Nash Copeland Store 1939 74-220 County Store Oak Ridge Tennessee (Photo submitted by National Park Service)

 

A new photography exhibit, “Before the Secret,” will open Thursday, February 14, at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge.

The exhibition will be in the Imagination Gallery. It will focus on life in the Oak Ridge area before the Manhattan Project, a press release said. The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will be offering free admission on Valentine’s Day to celebrate the opening day of the photography exhibition, the release said.

The photographs that are being displayed were taken between 1938 and 1943, right before the buildout of Clinton Engineer Works and what would become the town of Oak Ridge, the press release said. [Read more…]

International entertainers, food & crafts at Children’s Museum on Feb. 23

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Spice of India dancers will perform traditional Indian dances on Feb. 23, 2019, at the Children’s Museum International Festival. (Photo by Rob Welton)

Spice of India dancers will perform traditional Indian dances on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, at the Children’s Museum International Festival. (Photo by Rob Welton)

 

The Oak Ridge International Folk Dancers will join entertainers representing cultures around the world when the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge hosts its annual International Festival on Saturday, February 23.

The family-friendly International Festival will present entertainment, crafts, and cuisines from many countries, with musical and dance entertainment on stage throughout the day and crafts for children to make and take home, a press release said. The festival entertainment will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. February 23 at the Children’s Museum at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge.

Crafts that children may make and take include crocodile masks, an Egyptian necklace, and a French flag, the press release said. They may also learn about collecting international postage stamps and take their own passport around the festival booths to have it stamped and get a prize. [Read more…]

Knoxville Civil War Roundtable Lecture & Dinner is Tuesday

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History comes to life as Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant discusses the Overland Campaign designed to bring the Army of Northern Virginia to its knees and end the Civil War.

E.C. Fields, Jr., will portray the Union general when he speaks at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 12, at the Bearden Banquet Hall at 5806 Kingston Pike in Knoxville.

The lecture costs $8, and students are free. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. and costs $20.00 including the lecture. RSVP by 11 a.m., February 11 at (865) 671-9001.

This press release was submitted by Tim Vane.

Friends of Oak Ridge Library has book sale Feb. 14-17

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Oak Ridge Public Library

The Oak Ridge Public Library is pictured above.

Friends of the Oak Ridge Library will have its Winter 2018 Book Sale from February 14-17 in the Oak Ridge Public Library Auditorium.

The sale includes print and other media, most for sale for 50 cents or $1.00.

The sale will be open Thursday, February 14, from 5-7:30 p.m. for members only ($5.00 individual and $10.00 family may be bought at the door); Friday, February 15, 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Facebook promotion; Saturday, February 16, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; 1/2 price sale; Sunday, February 17, 2:30-5:30 p.m., $3.00/bag; and Silent Auction, Thursday-Saturday. [Read more…]

‘Atomic Integration,’ photo exhibit on African-American life in Manhattan Project, opens Friday

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Photo by Ed Westcott via National Park Service

Photo by Ed Westcott via National Park Service

 

In honor of Black History Month, the Oak Ridge History Museum will host “Atomic Integration,” a photography exhibition focusing on African-American life during the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a press release said.

The exhibit will open on Friday, February 8, and it will be open every Friday and Saturday during the month of February, the press release said.

The photo exhibit was developed under sponsorship by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, and Explore Oak Ridge.

The images that will be displayed in the photo exhibit illustrate the experiences and contributions of African-Americans during the Manhattan Project period during the 1940s in Oak Ridge, the press release said. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society presents smartphone camera workshop Thursday

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Doug Edlund (Submitted photo)

Doug Edlund (Submitted photo)

 

Did you know that one of the best cameras you can own is in your smartphone? A program in Oak Ridge on Thursday titled “The Best Camera May Be the One in Your Pocket” is designed for people who have iPhones, Androids, and other smartphones, a press release said.

The class was rescheduled from January 29 to Thursday, February 7, because of weather. The class will be at Roane State Community College’s Oak Ridge Campus in the City Room from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Sponsored by the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society, Doug Edlund, assistant director with UT Institute of Agriculture Marketing and Communications, will share his tips and tricks to get the most out of your smartphone photography, the press release said.

“From lighting to composition, Edlund shares his experiences to help you get the best results to make your digital photos stand out,” the release said. [Read more…]

Faith, church groups celebrating Community Interfaith Harmony Month

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Oak Ridge Community Interfaith Harmony Month Logo Feb 2019

The Oak Ridge Interfaith Partnership, Women’s Interfaith Dialogue of Oak Ridge, and Church Women United are celebrating Oak Ridge Community Interfaith Harmony Month.

The Oak Ridge community is invited to join the celebration. The Community Interfaith Harmony Month is being celebrated from February 5-March 5.

The kickoff event will be held on Tuesday, February 5, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the historic Grove Theater. At 7 p.m., there will be a program featuring local youth, faith, and community leaders speaking about the importance of religious freedom, loving our neighbors, and engaging in community service, a press release said. During the program, a mayoral proclamation will be presented declaring the Oak Ridge Community Interfaith Harmony Month.

There will be booths for faith and nonprofit groups. They will be able to share information, service success stories, ongoing service opportunities, and what services exist to help those in need and what each person can do to help support them, the press release said. [Read more…]

Mental illness & capital punishment to be discussed Tuesday

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Sarah Graham McGee

Sarah Graham McGee

 

Mental illness and capital punishment will be discussed during a lunch in Oak Ridge on Tuesday.

The speaker will be Sarah Graham McGee, statewide coordinator for the Tennessee Alliance for the Severe Mental Illness Exclusion, or TASMIE, a press release said. TASMIE is a coalition of mental health advocates and other organizations that are educating Tennesseans about their concerns with sentencing those who have severe mental illness to death, the press release said.

The program is for Lunch with the League on Tuesday, February 5. The meeting is scheduled from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, which is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]

Free guitar lessons start at Senior Center

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Guitar Intermediate Class

Free guitar lessons for senior citizens will begin on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019, at 9 a.m. at the Oak Ridge Senior Center at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike. This is a picture of the 2016 intermediate guitar class. (File photo by City of Oak Ridge)

 

Free guitar lessons for senior citizens will begin on Friday, February 1, at the Oak Ridge Senior Center. Lessons for beginners are scheduled for Fridays at 9 a.m. with intermediate lessons following at 10 a.m.

Classes are open to area seniors age 50 and older.All levels of guitar players are welcome. Bass guitar lessons are also included and are scheduled for 11 a.m. following the other two classes. Wendall Cook, who has many years of experience playing and teaching, conducts the lessons. [Read more…]

Black History Month Kick-Off: ‘A Journey through the World of Art with African-American Artists’

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Black History Month Invitation 2019

The Oak Ridge Chapter of Blacks in Government (BIG), the American Museum of Science and Energy (AMSE), and the U.S. Department of Energy are sponsoring an evening with African-American artists on Friday, February 1, from 6 to 8 p.m., a press release said.

This event will be held at AMSE, which is located at 115 Main Street East in Oak Ridge. This event is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served, the press release said. [Read more…]