What’s happening in Oak Ridge from Dec. 19-25

Here is a summary of events happening in Oak Ridge starting Thursday, Dec. 19, and continuing through Dec. 25, Christmas Day.

This weekly listing of events is compiled by the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau.

THURSDAY, DECEMER 19

The “Shepard’s Pipes” performing Renaissance Carols – December 19

Location:  Oak Ridge Public Library Auditorium – 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge.  Time: 7:30pm – 8:15pm

Shepard Pipes play seven sizes of instruments which are copies of period instruments.  They range in size from the deepest-sounding five-foot tall great bass to the chirpy-sounding seven inch garklein.  For more information on this FREE program, call the Public Library at 865-425-3455 or email [email protected].

 

“Pictures with Santa” to benefit CASA – December 19

Location:  Comfort Inn – 433 South Rutgers Avenue, Oak Ridge.  Time:  4:00-7:30pm

T. Whigham Photography will be taking professional photos with Santa at the Comfort Inn in Oak Ridge.  One dollar from every photo taken will benefit CASA and will be matched by Enrichment Federal Credit Union in Oak Ridge.  For more information, call 865-481-8200 or visit the Comfort Inn website atwww.comfortinnoakridge.com.

 

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20

“Pictures with Santa” to benefit CASA – December 20

Location:  Comfort Inn – 433 South Rutgers Avenue, Oak Ridge.  Time:  4:00-7:30pm

T. Whigham Photography will be taking professional photos with Santa at the Comfort Inn in Oak Ridge.  One dollar from every photo taken will benefit CASA and will be matched by Enrichment Federal Credit Union in Oak Ridge.  For more information, call 865-481-8200 or visit the Comfort Inn website atwww.comfortinnoakridge.com.

 

Horse and Carriage Rides – December 20

Location:  Comfort Inn – 433 South Rutgers Avenue, Oak Ridge.  Time:  4:00-7:30pm

Cinderella Carriage will be offering “Horse and Carriage Rides” from the Comfort Inn in Oak Ridge.  The cost will be five dollars per person with all proceeds going to CASA.  For more information, call 865-481-8200 or visit the Comfort Inn website at www.comfortinnoakridge.com.

 

Open Painting Studio – December 20

Oak Ridge Art Center – 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge

9:30am– 12:00pm

Non-instructed studio time.  Bring all your materials and work at your own pace.  Any media.

For more information visit:  www.oakridgeartcenter.org

 

Open Fiber Studio – December 20

Oak Ridge Art Center – 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge

1:30pm – 4:00pm

Non-instructed studio time for all fiber/textile enthusiasts.  Bring your machine if desired and work with others.  For more information visit: www.oakridgeartcenter.org

 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21

“Pictures with Santa” to benefit CASA – Last Day!

Location:  Comfort Inn – 433 South Rutgers Avenue, Oak Ridge.  Time:  10:00am -7:00pm

T. Whigham Photography will be taking professional photos with Santa at the Comfort Inn in Oak Ridge.  One dollar from every photo taken will benefit CASA and will be matched by Enrichment Federal Credit Union in Oak Ridge.  For more information, call 865-481-8200 or visit the Comfort Inn website atwww.comfortinnoakridge.com.

 

Horse and Carriage Rides – Last Day!

Location:  Comfort Inn – 433 South Rutgers Avenue, Oak Ridge.  Time:  3:00pm -7:00pm

Cinderella Carriage will be offering “Horse and Carriage Rides” from the Comfort Inn in Oak Ridge.  The cost will be five dollars per person with all proceeds going to CASA.  For more information, call 865-481-8200 or visit the Comfort Inn website at www.comfortinnoakridge.com.

 

MONDAY, DECEMBER 23

Special December Program – Aqua Power Classes – Every Monday and Wednesday

Location:  Oak Ridge Civic Center – 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge.

The program is geared toward participants who wish to receive a workout in the water and will be encouraged to work at their own pace.  Participants do not have to be able to swim or get their hair wet.  The Special December Fee is $32 for the month or $5 per class.  Classes will not meet on December 25.  This Special one-month class will begin on December 2 thru December 30.  Interested participants may register at the Civic Center front desk before each class.  Janice Greenwood is the Instructor of this program and holds numerous exercise certificates.  For further information, call 865-425-3450 or visit the website at www.orrecparks.org.

 

Ballroom Dancing – Every Monday, 6:30 p.m.

Location:  Wildcat Den Room of the Midtown Community Center.

Come join the Secret City Ballroom Dancers every Monday night at 6:30pm for ballroom dancing.

Fee:  Admission is $6 on live band nights and $3 on regular Mondays.

For more information contact Ann Stuck at 865-482-2658 or Patti at 865-482-3701.

 

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24

Print Making Studio – December 24

Oak Ridge Art Center – 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge

1:30am– 3:30pm

For more information visit:  www.oakridgeartcenter.org

 

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25

Merry Christmas!!!

ONGOING EVENTS:

“The Art of the Photograph” – Gallery Viewing – thru January 2, 2014

Location:  Y-12 New Hope Center – 602 Scarboro Road, Oak Ridge

Dates and Times for viewing opportunities:  Monday – Thursday from 8:00am – 5:00pm.  For more information, send email to [email protected].

 

“Oak Ridge in Art” – American Museum of Science and Energy – thru January 5, 2014

“Oak Ridge in Art” features eight framed prints and paintings by residents or former residents of Oak Ridge, including work by Nick Fielder, Helen Guymon, Fred Heddleson, Pat McWilliams Hoskins, Nancy Smith, Irvin Grossman, and Helen Bayless.  For more information, call 865-576-3200 or visit www.amse.org.

 

“The Science Maze”- American Museum of Science and Energy – thru January 12, 2014

“The Science Maze” where visitors get lost in science facts and discover interesting tidbits of science fields from astronomy to zoology as they make their way through The Science Maze.  For more information, call 865-576-3200 or visit www.amse.org.

 

Ed Westcott Images – American Museum of Science and Energy – thru January 26

American Museum of Science and Energy – Lobby

Ed Westcott’s images provide a look at the 1940’s history of Oak Ridge.  He was the official U.S. Army Manhattan Project photographer.  For more information, visitwww.amse.org.

 

Life Development Center – Haw Ridge Park

Located:  Haw Ridge Park on Edgemoor Road, Oak Ridge

This facility has a challenging but safe rope course and the staff can provide other exciting adventures such as rock climbing, backpacking, white water rafting, and caving.  The center is also available for camping, family reunions, team building retreats, company picnics, birthday parties, and youth group outings.  The CenterÂ’s proximity to Haw Ridge Park and Melton Hill Lake also make it ideal for mountain biking, trail running, and canoeing.  The rates are determined based on the size of the group and the activities.  You can contact the staff at 865-200-1790 or send an email to [email protected].

 

Exercise for Fitness

Location:  Oak Ridge Civic Center

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department is sponsoring “Exercise for Fitness”, an adult exercise program taught by Charlotte Hensley.  The class meets at the Oak Ridge Civic Center on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 9-10:30am.  This well balanced program offers exercise routines that include stretching, toning, Pilates, and aerobics.  The instructor incorporates the use of a variety of equipment including fitness balls, hand weights, steps, and hoops to provide a comprehensive workout for each participant.  Participants may register for the class at the Civic Center Information desk from 8am to 10pm Monday through Saturday.  The cost for the class is $30 per month or $5.00 per class.  An annual non-resident fee of $20 per year is charged where applicable.  For more information, call the Civic Center front desk at 865-425-3450 or check out their web site at www.orrecparks.org.

 

Winter/Spring activities at Girls, Inc.

Girls Incorporated Sports Program, offers a variety of sports each year such as, volleyball, tumbling and running in the Fall; basketball and bowling in the Winter; and softball, tennis and a basketball clinic in the Spring.  For more information, contact Tracy Crossno, Sports Director at 865-482-4475 or email her at[email protected]

 

Sports in Oak Ridge

If you are looking for sports activities in Oak Ridge, check out the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department webpage, www.orrecparks.org.  Many different sports are played throughout the year for adults and children, (men and women’s softball, soccer, basketball, swimming, tennis, volleyball, etc.)  You will find the schedules for team sign-ups, and the dates and times that each sport is played on their webpage.  You can also contact them at 865-425-3450.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Ramona Quimby – January 25-26, 2014

Oak Ridge Playhouse – 227 Broadway Avenue, Oak Ridge – Junior Playhouse

Exasperating, Boisterous, and independent, that’s Ramona Quimby.  Always aggravating her older sister, Beezus, constantly getting into trouble, and sometimes “making a big, noisy fuss” when things don’t go her way.  But, the typical problems facing the middle-class Quimby family help Ramona realize that life is not always fair, and eventually she and Beezus discover that while sisters may not always agree, they can be good to have around.  For more information or to order tickets, visit www.orplayhouse.com or call 865-482-9999.

 

IN THE AREA:

Christmas in Old Appalachia – Museum of Appalachia – thru December 24

Music of the season can be heard across the grounds, cabins will be decorated in pioneer style, recalling times past when Christmas was a simple family holiday, including cedar Christmas trees draped with paper chains, popcorn strings, sweet gum and sycamore balls.  Christmas shoppers will find many hand-crafted items in the gift shop.  Hot, country-style lunches are served daily from 11am to 2pm in the museum restaurant and homemade cakes, pies, cookies and other holiday treats are available all day.  For more information, contact the museum at 865-494-7680 or visit www.museumofappalachia.org.