Oak Ridge Today

Roane State’s Stephens honored for her work

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DeAnna Stephens

Roane State Community College assistant professor of English DeAnna Stephens earned two honors this spring.

Stephens won the poetry competition at the Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival.

She also received first place in the fiction category at the Tennessee Mountain Writers Conference Awards Banquet.

Stephens said she was very excited when informed in mid-March that she was a finalist in the Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival. Before she won, Stephens said she hadn’t planned to attend the event.

Things changed, especially since the recognition included a $1,000 prize, a free pass to the festival, and the opportunity to read her poems to an appreciative audience, a press release said. [Read more…]

Ninth graduating class of Youth Leadership Oak Ridge

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The 2018-2019 Youth Leadership Oak Ridge Class recently celebrated with a graduation ceremony. Youth Leadership Oak Ridge is a program of the Center for Leadership and Community Development, an affiliated organization of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce. (Submitted photo)

Youth Leadership Oak Ridge, a program of the Center for Leadership and Community Development, an organization affiliated with the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, recently had a graduation ceremony for its 2018/2019 class. The celebration was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton. Gene Patterson of Consolidated Nuclear Security offered the keynote speech, a press release said.

Youth Leadership Oak Ridge was started as the community project of the 2009 Leadership Oak Ridge class. Patterned after the adult program, but revised to reflect the interests of high school students, the program has just completed its ninth year, the press release said.

The class met most Wednesdays after school during the school year and covered topics related to personal skills development, entrepreneurship, government, and quality of life, the press release said. Each area of focus provided for interactive activities as well as advice and guidance from experts in those areas. [Read more…]

ORISE beryllium lab recertified by College of American Pathologists for 6th consecutive time in 10 years

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Lab increases capacity to meet more demand

The College of American Pathologists, or CAP, has accredited the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Energy beryllium laboratory in Oak Ridge for the sixth time since the laboratory’s first accreditation in 2009.

The laboratory is one of only three labs nationwide that performs the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test. This test determines if a patient has developed a sensitization to beryllium, which could evolve into chronic beryllium disease. Exposure to the lightweight metal is often encountered by inhaling beryllium dust particulates in an industrial workplace setting.

The biannual CAP accreditation process requires an onsite inspection of all procedures and processes as well as the laboratory’s records, a press release said. During this process, inspectors thoroughly examine staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and its records, and overall management. They follow lab personnel through each stage, from unpacking the blood specimens through the processing of these samples to the final analysis to determine if any of the samples show a sensitization to beryllium, the press release said. [Read more…]

‘Secret is Out: Discover Oak Ridge’ activity book for sale with proceeds benefitting ADFAC

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Left to right, ADFAC Committee member Ray Smith is joined by Barbara Ferrell, The Ferrell Shop; Denise Parten, Southern Bliss; Annie Cacheiro, ADFAC executive director; Becky Hook, ADFAC school supply coordinator and activity book chair; and Jim Dodson, ADFAC board of directors and committee member. (Photo courtesy ADFAC)

Looking for a great summer activity for your family or perhaps visiting relatives? ADFAC (Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties) has the answer, a press release said.

“The Secret is Out: Discover Oak Ridge” is an activity book designed to present the history of Oak Ridge through pictures and activities for children ages 5-13, the press release said. Art work, poems, puzzles, and short stories created by students from Oak Ridge schools were submitted for publication. Area adult artists and photographers also donated their services to benefit ADFAC.

Developed in conjunction with ADFAC’s 30th anniversary and Oak Ridge’s 75th anniversary, “The Secret is Out: Discover Oak Ridge” gives a pictorial history of the city and includes organizations of interest to children. Graphic designer Ariana Rector created the cover, which highlights Oak Ridge’s historically significant accomplishments in a timeline from black and white to color, the press release said. She is also credited with illustrating many of the coloring pages and compiling the submitted works. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Police Department earns accreditation from TLEA

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The Oak Ridge Police Department has been accredited by the Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. ORPD was awarded this achievement during the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police meeting held in Franklin, Tenn., on May 29, 2019. Pictured above are Oak Ridge Police Chief Robin Smith, left, and Lt. John Kelly, who led the accreditation effort. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Police Department has been accredited by the Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. ORPD was awarded this achievement during the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police meeting held in Franklin, Tennessee, on May 29, a press release said.

To achieve accreditation with TLEA, an agency voluntarily submits to a three-year process of enhancing the agency’s professionalism and effectiveness using 160 law enforcement standards and participating in a thorough on-site assessment, the press release said.

The standards evaluate an agency’s policies that address a variety of areas including organizational, operational, and budget management practices, the release said.

“The program is intended to encourage cooperation, recognize professional standing, develop professional services, and ensure public safety throughout the State of Tennessee,” the press release said. “The TLEA program is a valuable and cost-effective way to enhance overall agency effectiveness and professionalism.”

[Read more…]

Fireworks are July 4 in A.K. Bissell Park

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Oak Ridge fireworks are July 4 in Alvin K. Bissell Park. The Independence Day fireworks show is sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge, and it is expected to begin after dark at approximately 9:45 p.m. July 4, 2019. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

Oak Ridge fireworks are July 4 in Alvin K. Bissell Park. The Independence Day fireworks show is sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge, and it is expected to begin after dark at approximately 9:45 p.m. July 4.

The Oak Ridge Community Band, now in its 75th year, will perform prior to the fireworks. The concert is free, but donations are accepted by the band to help cover the cost of equipment and other expenses, a press release said. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m. WMYL 96.7 Merle FM will be live following the band performance and will broadcast the soundtrack for the fireworks display, the press release said.

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

[Read more…]

Lavender Festival features herbs, crafts, food, music Saturday

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2017 Lavender Festival (Image Credit: Shawn Millsaps)

Tennessee’s only Lavender Festival returns for its 21st year in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge on Saturday, June 15. The festival is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Celebrating all things herbal, crafts, local foods, and more, the Lavender Festival is free to customers, and last year attracted an estimated crowd of 11,000,” a press release said. “In addition to free admission, Lavender Festival also offers plenty of free parking in city and business lots surrounding Jackson Square.”

The festival is full of tradition and fun, and it always features something new, the press release said. For example, a traditional bagpipe player will open the festival at 8 a.m., playing from upper Blankenship Field into Jackson Square. Also keeping with tradition, Alan McBride will follow with the hammered dulcimer in the bandstand, the release said. A complete music schedule is included below.

The highlight of Lavender Festival will be the group of 150 artisan, herb, and floral vendors that will line the covered walkways of Jackson Square, the parking lot, and both sides of Broadway Avenue, which will be closed to traffic.

[Read more…]

ORAU awards 36 research grants to junior faculty at member universities

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Part of the ORAU campus in central Oak Ridge is pictured above on May 29, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

ORAU has awarded competitive research grants totaling $180,000 to 36 junior faculty from its member institutions. The annual grants are made through the company’s Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards program that provides funds to enrich the research and professional growth of young faculty, a press release said.

The recipients, each of whom is in the first two years of a tenure track position, will receive $5,000 in seed money for the 2019-2020 academic year to enhance their research during the early stages of their careers. Each recipient’s institution matches the ORAU award with an additional $5,000, making the total prize worth $10,000 for each winner, the press release said. Winners may use the grants to purchase equipment, continue research, or travel to professional meetings and conferences.

Since the program’s inception, ORAU has awarded 734 grants totaling more than $3.4 million. Including the matching funds from member institutions, ORAU has facilitated grants worth more than $6.9 million, the press release said. [Read more…]

Imagination Station Summer Camps begin June 10 at Children’s Museum

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Children enjoy Wizarding World summer camp at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge in 2018. (Submitted photo)

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge invites children to explore a rainforest, become CSI investigators, combine art with poetry, make sweets in the kitchen, launch model rockets, and ride the rails, among other adventures, during Imagination Station Summer Camps.

Summer camps, from June 10-July 26, are for children from age 3 through rising fifth-graders. The Children’s Museum’s enriching environment provides the backdrop as an experienced staff helps campers learn and grow through play in fun and safe surroundings. Each camp is created with age-appropriate activities aligned with the child’s developmental stage.

The fee for Monday-Friday half-day camps is $115 for members and $135 for non-members. A discount is available if two siblings register for camp during the same week or if a child registers for two half-day camps in the same week. A limited number of scholarships for camp are available, thanks to a grant from the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club. Download the scholarship application from the museum’s website. [Read more…]

ADFAC’s Dine and Donate is Monday

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Razzleberry’s is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

Enjoy fantastic food and support an amazing organization at the same time!

On Monday, June 10, you can beat the heat by staying out of the kitchen while supporting a fantastic organization serving the community, a press release said. Several area restaurants are donating a portion of their sales on Monday to Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC.

The featured partner restaurant for June is Razzleberry’s, located in historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. This fun restaurant has become an important part of the Oak Ridge community, the press release said.

“Come play in the splash pad in Jackson Square, take your picture with the pigs all around the restaurant, and get some fantastic ice cream, too,” the press release said. “It’s a perfect day!” [Read more…]

Ask an Officer: Learn about signs of elder abuse, scams affecting seniors

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The Oak Ridge Police Department, in partnership with ORNL Federal Credit Union, will host its quarterly “Ask an Officer” meeting at Oak Ridge Senior Center on Wednesday, June 12, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The focus will be on elder abuse in honor of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day happening later in the week, a press release said.

Everyone is invited to attend the free session. The discussion will focus on how to identify signs of elder abuse and scams affecting senior citizens. Presenters will also explain what the Oak Ridge Police Department and its partner agencies are doing to address these problems and how the community can get involved, the press release said.

[Read more…]

Y-12 has emergency management exercise on Wednesday

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The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge is pictured above. (Photo courtesy CNS Y-12)

Emergency response personnel from the National Nuclear Security Administration and Consolidated Nuclear Security—along with federal, state, and local emergency management personnel—will conduct an emergency management exercise in and around the Y-12 National Security Complex on Wednesday, June 12.

“During this exercise, people in the vicinity of the Y-12 may observe personnel simulating response activities and performing environmental monitoring or sampling, but these offsite activities are part of the exercise,” a press release said.

[Read more…]