Oak Ridge Today

Community Band to perform ‘Music for Spring’

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The Oak Ridge Community Band will perform in a “Music for Spring” concert in Knoxville on Sunday, March 12. (Photo by Oak Ridge Community Band)

The Oak Ridge Community Band will perform in a “Music for Spring” concert in Knoxville on Sunday, March 12.

The concert is scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus at 711 South Northshore Drive in Knoxville.

The concert is free, but seating is limited. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the community is encouraged to arrive early to secure their seats, a press release said.

“‘Music for Spring’ promises to be an exciting and diverse musical experience, featuring an array of classical, jazz, and pop music selections that celebrate the arrival of spring,” the press release said. “Under the direction of Shaun Salem, the Oak Ridge Community Band comprises musicians of all ages and skill levels, dedicated to delivering high-quality performances that resonate with the community.”

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Eight new members join DOE’s environmental advisory board

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The Oak Ridge Site Specific Advisory Board (ORSSAB) welcomed eight new members during the board’s February monthly meeting in Oak Ridge. From left (front), Bonnie Shoemaker, Leon Shields, Michelle Lohmann, and Harriett McCurdy; from left (back), Tom Tuck, Mary Butler, Atilio Anzellotti, Christine Michaels, Noah Keebler, Mike Mark, Harold Conner, Jr., Rosario Gonzalez, Roger Petrie, Paul Dill, Melyssa Noe and Kristof Czartoryski. (Submitted photo)

The U.S. Department of Energy recently welcomed eight new members to its Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management citizen advisory board.

The Oak Ridge Site Specific Advisory Board is a federally chartered citizens’ panel that provides independent recommendations to OREM, which is responsible for the cleanup of the Oak Ridge Reservation.

“ORSSAB is a core element of our outreach and engagement with the community,” said OREM Manager Jay Mullis. “We’re very grateful to have area residents who are willing to invest their time and energy to learn more about our work, share their perspectives, and provide recommendations. Their insight and feedback greatly benefit our cleanup program.”

All board members are volunteers from the region and have a variety of backgrounds.

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DOE conducting controlled burns on Oak Ridge Reservation

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The U.S. Department of Energy is conducting controlled burns of grassland areas on the Oak Ridge Reservation through mid-April, weather permitting.

People may see smoke from this activity. However, smoke in Oak Ridge and other areas in the region could also be the result of prescribed burns currently being undertaken by other federal and state agencies, a press release said.

It said the controlled burns are planned on the Three Bend Area off Pump House and Bull Bluff Roads and other managed grassland areas off Bethel Valley Road and off Highway 58.

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Schools publish number of open seats per school

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Oak Ridge Schools has published the number of open seats available in each grade at elementary and middle schools for students who are interested in cross-boundary and out-of-district tuition enrollment.

The number of open seats ranges from zero to eight, depending upon the school and grade. Numbers are subject to change based on new families moving into the district, according to Oak Ridge Schools.

The open enrollment numbers for the 2023-2024 school year are available on this school district website page: Enrollment Information for 2023-2024 – Oak Ridge Schools (ortn.edu).

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History Museum to celebrate new Hutment Exhibit

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The Oak Ridge History Museum will celebrate the opening of its Hutment Exhibit with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, April 1, 2023. A hutment from the Manhattan Project during World War II is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge History Museum will celebrate the opening of its Hutment Exhibit with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, April 1.

The Hutment Exhibit “promises to transport visitors back in time to the Oak Ridge Manhattan Project era,” a press release said.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will celebrate the exhibit’s opening and “offer an unparalleled glimpse into a piece of history that shaped America,” the press release said.

The Hutment Exhibit will feature an authentic reproduction of a Manhattan Project “Hutment,” showcasing the living conditions of the workers who helped construct the wartime manufacturing facilities during World War II.

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Community Egg Hunt is Saturday, April 1

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Image by City of Oak Ridge

The City of Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host its free annual Community Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 1 at 11 a.m.

The egg hunt will be a traditional style Egg Hunt held at Alvin K. Bissell Park. Parking will be available at both the East and West Civic Center parking lots. In the event of severe weather, eggs and prizes will be handed out via drive through at the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

The event is limited to children aged four through fourth grade. Families are asked to pre-register at Eventbrite.com. Pre-registration helps staff plan for the correct number of eggs and other supplies, a press release said.

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Austin Knight Foundation donates $5,000 to Roane State’s EMS program

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Pictured above from left to right are David Blevins, Roane State EMS Program Director; Ginny Cole Davis, WATE-TV’s Living East Tennessee (and a Roane State alum); Amanda and B.J. Hillard with son Finn; and Scott Niermann, Roane State Foundation Executive Director. (Submitted photo)

A foundation established by the parents of a former Roane State Community College student recently donated $5,000 in support of the community college’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program.

William “B.J.” Hillard and Amanda Hillard said they are honoring the memory of their son, Austin Logan Knight, through the Austin Knight Foundation. Austin was killed in a car crash in 2018, just a month after enrolling in Roane State’s EMT program.

Over the last five years, Austin’s parents have worked to incorporate their late son’s passions with their efforts in the community on behalf of the foundation, a press release said. As Roane State’s EMS program director David Blevins explained, this also provides them an opportunity to tell Austin’s story.

“Austin wanted to become an EMT to help others,” Blevins said. “He was committed to his goal of learning to save lives and understood what makes the profession so special, even at such a young age. Seeing his family find new ways to help others in his memory is truly inspiring.”

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Roane State to host Virtual FAFSA Workshop on March 24

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Roane State Community College’s Financial Aid team is inviting current and potential students to a Virtual FAFSA Completion Workshop on March 24.

During the sessions, students will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a financial aid expert to get their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) filed accurately and timely, a press release said.

Meetings last approximately one hour, with students able to choose a time slot that works best for their schedule. Session start times are available between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., but they are expected to fill quickly, the press release said. Students must register at least 24 hours before the appointment time in order to reserve a spot.

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Today: International Festival at Children’s Museum

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The Tennessee Irish Dancers, here at an earlier International Festival with the Children’s Museum mascot Charlie the Curious Bear, will entertain again with traditional Irish dance.

Crafts, cuisines, and entertainment from world cultures will be presented at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge International Festival from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, February 25.

The family-friendly International Festival will have musical and dance entertainment on stage throughout the day at the Children’s Museum, which is at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge. Children may “make and take” crafts, and several booths will offer activities and crafts for children.

Raya Quttaineh and María Guzmán of WBIR-TV will serve as festival emcees. Quttaineh, originally from Jordan, is a morning anchor and reporter. Guzmán, originally from Nicaragua, is a bilingual journalist reporting in English and in Spanish for the Spanish newscast Noticias WBIR. Both came to the United States as children with their families.

Entertainers will include Katrien Sevrin of Belladance, who performs and teaches Middle Eastern dance; the Tennessee Irish Dancers, students taught by professional and champion Irish dancer Katie Carver; a Shamisen performance on a Japanese banjo-style instrument; and a traditional Japanese story, Kamishibai. [Read more…]

Saturday: Rock to Bach Music Festival & Fundraiser

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Four Leaf Peat (Image courtesy ORCMA)

The all-day Rock to Bach Music Festival and Fundraiser will feature performing groups on two stages in Oak Ridge today, Saturday, February 18.

Besides music, there will be a silent auction, celebration dinner, and special after-dinner entertainment with Four Leaf Peat, a traditional Irish music group in East Tennessee. The event has been organized by Oak Ridge Civic Music Association.

You can come and go as you please during the music and hear these performers and more:

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Reminder: Free dental, vision, medical services this weekend

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A dental exam at a RAM clinic. (Photo courtesy Remote Area Medical (RAM))

Remote Area Medical (RAM)—a major nonprofit provider of pop-up clinics delivering free, quality dental, vision, and medical care to those in need—is having a free, two-day clinic in Oak Ridge this weekend.

The clinic is Saturday, February 18, and Sunday, February 19, at the Oak Ridge Civic Center at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The clinic is in collaboration with the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge.

All RAM services are free, and no identification is required, a press release said. Free dental, vision, and medical services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

The patient parking lot was scheduled to be open no later than 11:59 p.m. (midnight) on Friday night, February 17, and remain open for the duration of the clinic, the press release said. Once in the parking lot, additional information regarding clinic-opening processes and next steps will be provided. Clinic doors open at 6 a.m.

Due to time constraints, patients should be prepared to choose between dental and vision services, the press release said.

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AMVETS to kick off 75th celebration with Janelle Arthur concert

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Janelle Arthur

AMVETS of Oak Ridge will celebrate its 75th anniversary in March, and the ceremonies will include a concert by American Idol Top 5 finalist Janelle Arthur of Oliver Springs.

The concert is Friday evening, March 10. The 75th Anniversary and Veterans Appreciation Celebration is Saturday, March 11, at 190 Adams Lane in Oak Ridge.

“To say thank you, veterans and active-duty service members will receive a free gift bag and can register to win other items including an American flag, local gift cards, and Post 2 merchandise during their 75th Anniversary and Veterans Appreciation Celebration,” a press release said.

AMVETS is an organization of veterans serving veterans, the press release said.

“Only a few organizations in Oak Ridge have stood the test of time to remain active for 75 years, which makes the celebration of the AMVETS 75th Anniversary a very special occasion,” the press release said.

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