Oak Ridge Today

Parks Board will present design proposals for Friendship Bell during July 9 open house

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Advisory Board will present design proposals for the International Friendship Bell Peace Pavilion Project during an open house on Thursday, July 9.

The board will also solicit public input on the design proposals during the open house, which is scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Social Room of the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

The open house will be followed by a 7 p.m. meeting of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. The Oak Ridge Civic Center is at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

An inspection in February 2014 determined that 65-70 percent of the wooden support beams in the structure holding the bell were compromised and showed substantial deterioration.

Work to demolish the structure started in July 2014. Oak Ridge Today reported at the time that the city of Oak Ridge was working with a number of interested citizens and the Recreation and Parks Board on a campaign to replace the structure with a new permanent building.

Community Band concert followed by fireworks on Saturday evening

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Oak Ridge Community Band

The Oak Ridge Community Band performs during the July 4, 2014, concert. (Photo by Larry Perry)

 

The Oak Ridge Community Band will play in a free concert before the fireworks show at A.K. Bissell Park on Saturday.

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Fireworks start at 10 p.m.

“Because the July 4 program traditionally attracts large crowds, come early and bring lawn chairs or blankets for good seating,” organizers said in a press release.

The concert is free, although donations are welcomed to offset band expenses. Refreshments will be available for sale. [Read more…]

Eighty percent of ORHS Class of 2015 attends Graduation Celebration

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Graduation Celebration 2015

Photo courtesy Matt Reedy/City of Oak Ridge

 

Eighty percent of the Oak Ridge High School Class of 2015 attended the 18th annual Graduation Celebration in May, organizers said.

Graduation Celebration was Thursday, May 28, at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. It’s made possible by gifts from local residents and businesses, a press release said.

Each year, more than $25,000 is raised to host the event on graduation night. Graduates are invited to the free party, where they can win cash and prizes like Bonnaroo tickets or up to $3,000 cash at the finale. [Read more…]

Friends of Library to sponsor local authors at Secret City Festival

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The Friends of the Oak Ridge Public Library will sponsor local writers and authors at the Secret City Festival this weekend.

The Secret City Festival is Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13.

The authors will be in Room C of the Oak Ridge Civic Center (next door to the Oak Ridge Historical Preservation Association) autographing and selling their books at the following times: [Read more…]

Outdoor pool opens Memorial Day weekend, full time May 30

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Oak Ridge Municipal Pool

Hundreds of swimmers enjoy the cool water at the Oak Ridge Municipal Pool on Memorial Day, 2012. (File photo)

The Oak Ridge Municipal Swimming Pool is scheduled to open full time May 30 and close August 2. Season passes, swimming lessons registration, and ORCA swim team registration all open May 1 at the Oak Ridge Civic Center front desk.

The Municipal Swimming Pool will have some new activities and schedule changes this summer. On May 23, 24, and 25, the pool will be open noon-6 p.m. for Memorial Day weekend. On May 29, the pool will be open to the public from 1 to 6 p.m. for “The Last Day of School” celebration.

On May 30, the pool will open full time with new hours. Saturday and Sunday, the pool will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, the pool will be open to the public from noon-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, the pool will be open for lap swim only on the 100-meter course from 11 a.m. to noon. Wednesday nights, the pool will re-open from 7:30-9:30 p.m. for public swimming under the lights. Other than Wednesdays, the pool is available for private party rentals from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Visit the website at www.orrecparks.org for information on all of the swimming classes, swimming level guides, pricing, and Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department programs.

Teen Battle of the Bands in Oak Ridge on Friday

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Teen Battle of the Bands

File photo/2014

 

The annual Battle of the Teen Bands is this evening (Friday, April 24).

It’s been organized by Y-12 Federal Credit Union and the Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board.

The Battle of the Bands is scheduled from 6-9 p.m. today at the Oak Ridge Civic Center Pavilion. The rain venue will be the Paradox Teen Center in Oak Ridge.

Prizes are studio time (a $1,000 value), $300, and $150.

Reminder: City, schools have Community Wellness Fair today (April 22)

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Reminder: The City of Oak Ridge and Oak Ridge Schools will have a Community Wellness Fair today (Wednesday, April 22).

The Wellness Fair is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 22 at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. It includes a wide range of activities that include blood pressure checks, doctor’s chats, exercise tips, shingle vaccines, breast and men’s health, and dental, hearing, and diabetic foot screenings.

There will be a Medic Mobile blood drive from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Civic Center. [Read more…]

This year’s final Breakfast with Legislators is Monday, April 27

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This year’s final Breakfast with the Legislators will be held on Monday, April 27, at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. Senators Ken Yager and Randy McNally and representatives John Ragan and Kent Calfee have been invited to speak about and sum up the legislative activities of this session of the Tennessee General Assembly and to respond to questions from the audience, a press release said.

The breakfast is scheduled from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. April 27 in the Social Room of the Oak Ridge Civic Center, which is at 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike. A free continental breakfast will be served.

“The Tennessee General Assembly 2015 legislative session is winding down,” the press release said. [Read more…]

City, schools have Community Wellness Fair on April 22

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The City of Oak Ridge and Oak Ridge Schools will have a Community Wellness Fair on Wednesday, April 22.

The Wellness Fair is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 22 at Oak Ridge Civic Center.

The Wellness Fair includes a wide range of activities that include blood pressure checks, doctor’s chats, exercise tips, shingle vaccines, breast and men’s health, and dental, hearing, and diabetic foot screenings. [Read more…]

Council approves ORHS stoplight contract in 4-3 vote

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Oak Ridge Turnpike Stoplight at Oak Ridge High School

In a 4-3 vote Monday, the Oak Ridge City Council approved a contract to install a traffic signal at the Oak Ridge High School on Oak Ridge Turnpike.

 

Note: This story was updated at 8:42 a.m. April 15.

The City Council approved a contract to install a stoplight on Oak Ridge Turnpike in front of Oak Ridge High School in a 4-3 vote on Monday.

Public Works Director Gary Cinder said the light will be green most of the time on Oak Ridge Turnpike. But it will turn red when cars are leaving the High School, giving those drivers a green light.

And the traffic signal lights will turn all-red when pedestrians are crossing, Cinder said. [Read more…]

Divas for a Cure: Day of pampering supports Relay for Life, Cancer Society

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Divas for a Cure 2015

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Calling all divas! Get together your girlfriends, your daughters, your mothers, and grandmothers, and come out for a day of pampering!

We have all been touched by cancer in some way. Some have fought the battle personally, and others have watched loved ones and friends go through the fight.

The American Cancer Society is making great strides in finding a cure for this devastating disease. They have come a long way, but still have much to do. This is where you come in. We would like to invite you to our first event called Divas for a Cure. The event will support the Relay for Life of Oak Ridge, and it is presented by team Got Hope. [Read more…]

Battle of Normandy World War II reenactment at Secret City Festival this year

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Flak 88 Weapon Firing

The only live firing Flak 88 (German anti-aircraft weapon) in the United States is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

The time is June 1944. After more than four years of German occupation, the Allies have launched the invasion of “fortress Europe” as part of history’s largest combined amphibious and aerial assault. The tide of the war has started to change, but in these early days of combat nothing is certain.

Step back in time and experience the sights and sounds of frontline combat on the western front during World War II and learn about the men and women who helped ensure the Allied victory that shaped the world we live in today. See the uniforms, equipment and vehicles that were part of the world’s largest conflict in action. Come and experience one of the largest groupings of authentic World War II vehicles and equipment in the south! Tour period military encampments, inspect authentic period vehicles and weaponry, and learn more about what the life of a soldier was like during the war.

You can see all this and more during the 2015 Secret City Festival in Oak Ridge on June 13. The festival is at Alvin K. Bissell Park and the Oak Ridge Civic Center. [Read more…]