Oak Ridge Today

If you can’t stand the heat, eat out to support ADFAC!

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Razzleberry’s has loyally supported ADFAC for over a decade! Please note, Razzleberrry’s does not serve dinner on Mondays, but is open until 9 p.m. for patrons to indulge in homemade ice cream and marketplace items. (Submitted photo)

Razzleberry’s has loyally supported ADFAC for over a decade! Please note, Razzleberrry’s does not serve dinner on Mondays, but is open until 9 p.m. for patrons to indulge in homemade ice cream and marketplace items. (Submitted photo)

 

On Monday, July 9, thirteen local restaurants are donating a portion of their sales to Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC). With a predicted high of 90 degrees on Monday, a more literal understanding of “if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!” is a great way to skip cooking and participate in ADFAC’s July Dine & Donate event, a press release said.

The featured restaurant for July is Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab & Kitchen. Known for their homemade ice cream, eclectic international lunch menu, and pig collection, Razzleberry’s is a true hometown favorite, the press release said. Located in Oak Ridge’s historic Jackson Square, the restaurant and market is ideal for hot summer days, the release said.

“Whether trying out the latest flavor of ice cream, cooling off with an imported beer, or ordering one of Monday’s lunch specials, Razzleberry’s has something for everyone,” the press release said. “Afterward, continue your cool-down in the Jackson Square fountains!” [Read more…]

Lee Willis, Soulful Sounds Revue play at Jazz on the Hill tonight

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Lee Willis Jazz on the Hill July 7 2018

Lee Willis and Soulful Sounds Revue will play Jazz on the Hill in Clinton tonight (Saturday, July 7).

The show will be at the Green McAdoo Cultural Center and Museum in Clinton. It’s free, and everyone is invited. The show is scheduled from 6-9 p.m. Saturday.

An event flyer said Soulful Sounds Revue and Lee Willis will perform with K-Town Rhythm Section.

You are encouraged to bring your lounge chairs and blankets. There will be local food vendors, and this is a kid-friendly event, the event flyer said. [Read more…]

Free child car seat checkpoint scheduled for July 14

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There is a free child passenger seat checkpoint in Oak Ridge on Saturday, May 12, 2018. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

There is a free child passenger seat checkpoint in Oak Ridge on Saturday, July 14, 2018. (File photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

The Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Fire Department, and East Tennessee Children’s Hospital are hosting a child passenger seat checkpoint on Saturday, July 14. It’s free and open to the public.

The checkpoint will be held at Oak Ridge Fire Department Station #2, located at 609 Oak Ridge Turnpike (near Home Depot). Parents and caregivers are invited to stop by anytime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. with no need to pre-register, a press release said.

During the event, child car seats will be checked for any manufacturer recalls and examined for proper installation by certified technicians, the press release said. Crews will also distribute educational materials about car seats. [Read more…]

AMSE director named

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AMSE Sign

The American Museum of Science and Energy is at 300 South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge. (File photo by Sara Wise)

 

Julia Bussinger has been named director of the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge, effective July 16. As director, Bussinger will be responsible for supervising staff and managing the daily operations of AMSE, a press release said.

The museum is moving soon from its current location on South Tulane Avenue to a new home in renovated space near JCPenney at Main Street Oak Ridge, the 58-acre redevelopment of the former Oak Ridge Mall. The new facility is expected to open this fall, and the current location will close July 29.

“We welcome Julia to Oak Ridge and are extremely pleased to have someone of her caliber to oversee the day-to-day operations of the AMSE,” said Ken Tarcza, manager of the Integrated Support Center—Oak Ridge for the U.S. Department of Energy.

Bussinger has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Sofia University in Bulgaria, a master’s degree in philosophy in conservation, and a doctorate in conservation from Gothenburg University in Sweden. She also has significant experience managing a variety of museums and has managed multiple projects and collaborations with businesses and community organizations, the press release said. [Read more…]

AMSE: Current museum could close this month, with new home open this fall

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The current location of the American Museum of Science and Energy on South Tulane Avenue could close at the end of July, and the museum could re-open at its new home at Main Street Oak Ridge in the early fall, officials said. The new location is pictured above under construction on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The current location of the American Museum of Science and Energy on South Tulane Avenue could close at the end of July, and the museum could re-open at its new home at Main Street Oak Ridge in the early fall, officials said. The new location is pictured above under construction on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The current location of the American Museum of Science and Energy on South Tulane Avenue could close at the end of July, and the museum could re-open at its new home at Main Street Oak Ridge in the early fall, officials said.

In the meantime, the museum might not be open a month or two as exhibits are moved, said Ken Tarcza, manager of the Oak Ridge Office for the U.S. Department of Energy. But DOE bus tours will continue, Tarcza said at a meeting to give an update about the AMSE project at Oak Ridge High School on June 14. Some specifics of the transition haven’t been worked out yet.

Tarcza said the new 18,000-square-foot museum will feature state-of-the-art interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. It will be in renovated space on the north side of Main Street Oak Ridge near JCPenney. Besides exhibits and activities, the new museum will also have a lecture hall and two classrooms.

There will be four major categories featured in the museum, Tarcza said: energy leadership, “big science,” national security, and environmental restoration. Many of the exhibits at the current AMSE need to be refreshed, and the majority of the exhibits at the new location will have a brand-new design, Tarcza said. [Read more…]

Reminder: Fireworks are Wednesday at A.K. Bissell Park

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Fireworks at Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge on July 4, 2017. (File photo by D. Ray Smith)

Fireworks at Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge on July 4, 2017. (File photo by D. Ray Smith)

 

A reminder: The City of Oak Ridge is again sponsoring a fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day. The display will be held in A.K. Bissell Park on Wednesday, July 4, and is scheduled to begin at dark, around 9:45 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Community Band, now in its 74th year, will perform prior to the fireworks, a press release said. The concert is free, but donations are accepted by the band to help cover the cost of equipment and other expenses. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Anyone planning to attend is advised to bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating, the press release said. A safety zone will be established by the Oak Ridge Fire Department. Please sit only in the designated areas, the press release said. [Read more…]

Learn about secrecy, security, spies during Manhattan Project

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The Oak Ridge Turnpike Gatehouse is pictured above on the west end of town. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Turnpike Gatehouse is pictured above on the west end of town. (Submitted photo)

 

This month, you can learn about security, the need for secrecy, and the concerns about spies during the Manhattan Project in World War II.

The Manhattan Project was a top-secret federal program to build the world’s first atomic weapons during the war. Oak Ridge was the main production site.

The program on secrecy, security, and spies will be presented by the Manhattan Project National Historical Park from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Friday, July 13, at the Turnpike Gatehouse in west Oak Ridge.

“The program will give visitors some insight to what life was like in Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project with all the security, the need for secrecy, and the worry of spies,” a press release said. “This program is free and open to the public; parking is limited, so please try to carpool if possible.” [Read more…]

First of its kind, Family Drug Treatment Court opening in Anderson County

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Family Drug Treatment Court Ribbon Cutting July 11 2018

A Family Drug Treatment Court, the first of its kind in Anderson County, launched this week, and there will be a ribbon-cutting next week, a press release said.

The Anderson County Family Drug Treatment Court will be called R2: The Recovery and Resilience Program, the press release said.

R2 is a program for juvenile offenders who have substance misuse issues and have not been successful in maintaining drug abstinence. The program is a minimum of nine months and will incorporate treatment, family therapy, and group therapy paired with accountability and goal setting, the press release said.

“By addressing barriers in the home, we will enable adolescents in Anderson County to break free from the grip of generational drug abuse, setting them up to be successful contributors to our society,” said Anderson County Juvenile Court Judge Brian Hunt.

The press release said the program has been a priority for a large number of stakeholders in the community for many years. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Community Band has July 4 concert

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The Oak Ridge Community Concert Band in a July 4 concert. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Community Concert Band in a July 4 concert. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Community Band will present its annual Independence Day concert on Wednesday, July 4, at Alvin K. Bissell Park.

The concert is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free, and it will be followed by the Oak Ridge fireworks show.

“Because the concert and fireworks traditionally attract large crowds, the public is encouraged to come early for good seating,” a press release said. “Bring chairs or blankets and plan to enjoy an exciting evening of music and fireworks celebrating the 242nd anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.” [Read more…]

Photos: Lavender Festival 2018

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The Lavender Festival is pictured above in Jackson Square on Saturday, June 16, 2018. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

The Lavender Festival is pictured above in Jackson Square on Saturday, June 16, 2018. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Here are photos by Julio Culiat of the Lavender Festival in Jackson Square on Saturday. [Read more…]

Clinton has July 4 fireworks in Lakefront Park

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Information from WYSH Radio

The city of Clinton has released its plans for its annual Independence Day celebration at Lakefront Park.

The event will begin at 5 p.m. July 4 and end with fireworks at 10 p.m. at Lakefront Park in Clinton.

There will be bounce houses, bungee run, basketball game, rock climbing wall, obstacle course, water slide, human hamster balls, and trackless train that are available to the public at no charge, although kids must have a free wrist band to ride. Also available will be laser tag for children and a game truck for children craving video game excitement at no charge.

There will also be food vendors, antique cars on display, and music from 5-9:45 p.m. Performers will include John Fee & The Honky Tonk Playboys, and possibly some other special guests who will likely be announced in the next few days.

Festival of Hope raises $50,000 for American Cancer Society

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The Festival of Hope at Melton Lake Park in Oak Ridge on Friday, June 15, 2018, raised $50,000 for the American Cancer Society. Opening ceremonies recognized more than 60 area cancer survivors who attended, and that was followed by the Cancer Survivors lap, pictured above. (Submitted photo)

The Festival of Hope at Melton Lake Park in Oak Ridge on Friday, June 15, 2018, raised $50,000 for the American Cancer Society. Opening ceremonies recognized more than 60 area cancer survivors who attended, and that was followed by the Cancer Survivors lap, pictured above. (Submitted photo)

 

The Festival of Hope at Melton Lake Park in Oak Ridge on Friday raised $50,000 for the American Cancer Society, a press release said.

The Festival of Hope opened with Matt Hinkin from WATE-TV as the emcee, the press release said. Opening ceremonies recognized more than 60 area cancer survivors who attended.

That was followed by the Cancer Survivors lap down the peninsula, where survivors were cheered on by the participants and public. Each survivor was provided a purple cancer survivor’s T-shirt and had a medallion placed around their neck by Lynda Vinyard and Kim Monroe, the press release said.

Teams participating at the event included Professional Case Management, St. Mark United Methodist Church in Clinton, Oak Ridge Veterinary, Clinton Physical Therapy Center, Fast Pace Urgent Care, Oak Ridge Baptist Church, Barry Sanders family team, and Lynda Vinyard family team. [Read more…]