Here is a summary of events happening in Oak Ridge from Friday, December 12, and continuing through December 17.
This weekly listing of events is compiled by the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau:
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12
Open Painting Studio – December 12
Oak Ridge Art Center – 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge
Time:Â Â 9:30am-Noon
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 12
Oak Ridge Art Center – 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge
Time:  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 13
“Holiday Homecoming” Christmas Parade – December 13
Location:  Oak Ridge.  Time:  6:00pm
Line-up for the parade will take place at Corporate Center on the corner of Lafayette Road and Laboratory Road.  The theme of this year’s parade is “Holiday Homecoming”.  To register your entry, visit https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e9qgzq1g0269bc21&oseq=&c=&ch=.  Plenty of volunteers will be needed to make the parade a fun and safe event so if you’d like to help out, contact Greta Ownby at [email protected].
Santa Train Rides – Secret City Excursion Train – December 13
Ride times:Â Â 11am, 1pm, and 3pm
Santa is sure to delight all the children as he and Mrs. Claus make their way through the coaches passing out Christmas gift bags and posing for pictures.  The train will be decked out in true holiday style.  During the ride, passengers will hear the story of the Manhattan Project, which was one of the most remarkable industrial achievements ever accomplished.  Refreshments and souvenirs are available for purchase in the train’s commissary car.  For more information, call 865-241-2140 or visit www.secretcityrailroad.com.
“Steam out Hunger” food drive – December 13
As part of the “Steam Out Hunger” exhibit, AMSE is offering free admission during the weekend-long food drive.  Admission will be free to visitors who bring four canned or non-perishable food items per person.  All food collected and the cans from the exhibit structure will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank to provide hunger relief in the East Tennessee community.
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Saturday Tennis – Saturday Tennis Group – Every Saturday
Location:  Jackson Square Tennis Courts – Broadway Avenue, Oak Ridge
This group meets each Saturday at 1:30pm when it is 40 degrees or warmer.  Community players of all levels are invited.  Just show up and ask for the Coordinator, Rangan Sukumar, he will get you started with players at your own level.  There is no cost.  For more information, contact Rangan Sukumar at 865-474-0519.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14
Santa Train Rides – Secret City Excursion Train – December 14
Ride dates and times:Â Â 1pm and 3pm.
Santa is sure to delight all the children as he and Mrs. Claus make their way through the coaches passing out Christmas gift bags and posing for pictures.  The train will be decked out in true holiday style.  During the ride, passengers will hear the story of the Manhattan Project, which was one of the most remarkable industrial achievements ever accomplished.  Refreshments and souvenirs are available for purchase in the train’s commissary car.  For more information, call 865-241-2140 or visit www.secretcityrailroad.com.
“Steam out Hunger” food drive – December 14
As part of the “Steam Out Hunger” exhibit, AMSE is offering free admission during the weekend-long food drive.  Admission will be free to visitors who bring four canned or non-perishable food items per person.  All food collected and the cans from the exhibit structure will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank to provide hunger relief in the East Tennessee community.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 15Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Ballroom Dancing – Every Monday, 6:30 p.m.
Location:Â Â 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 16
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – Patterson’s Appliances – December 16
You are invited to a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the new location of Patterson’s Appliances at 170 Oak Ridge Turnpike.  Time:  2:00pm (Ribbon Cutting at 2:15pm).
Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge hosts “Toddlers’ Playtime” – Every Tuesday at 10:00am
Location:  Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge – Preschool Room
Moms, dads, grandparents, and other caregivers are invited to bring children aged four and younger.  The kids can play while the adults visit with each other. Admission is FREE for members and included with entry fee for non-members.  For more information, visit www.childrensmuseumofoakridge.org/toddlers-playtime/.
Print Making Studio – December 16
Oak Ridge Art Center – 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge
Time:  1:30pm– 3:30pm.
Non-instructed studio session.  For more information visit:  www.oakridgeartcenter.org
Disc Golf:  Random Draw Doubles – Every Tuesday
Location:  Carl Yearwood Disc Golf Course – Bus Terminal Road, Oak Ridge
Time:  6:00pm – 8:00pm.  This is a challenging but short Par 3 disc golf course.  For more information, call 865-425-3450.  This schedule will continue every Tuesday until September 25, 2015.
ONGOING EVENTS:
“Steam out Hunger” exhibit at AMSE -  thru January 5
Grade-school students from the Stanford Eisenberg Knoxville Jewish Day School are building a canned food sculpture, featuring the school’s name and ram mascot, for a “Steam Out Hunger”.  For more information, visit www.AMSE.org.
The Art of the Creche III:  Folk Art Nativities from Around the World – thru January 10
Location:  Oak Ridge Art Center – 210 Badger Avenue
Featuring new selections on loan from a private collection and selections from the Art Center’s Permanent Collection.  International Artists Henri Matisse, Edouard Manet, Salvador Dali, and many others are featured.   In the Foyer Gallery, “New Nativities by Local Artists” and “Mary – Mortal and Divine – Manifests the Feminine”.  For more information, visit [email protected] or call 865-482-1441.
 “Masterworks:  Prints from the Collection of Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge”
Location:  Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge – 461 West Outer Drive, Oak Ridge.
“Masterworks: Prints from the Collection of Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge” is a newly opened exhibit at the Museum’s “Imagination Gallery”.  The exhibit features works by the world’s greatest artists, including Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, and Rembrandt.  For more information, visithttp://www.childrensmuseumofoakridge.org, or call 865-482-1074.
“Kids Go Green” classes
Location:  Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge – 461 West Outer Drive, Oak Ridge.
A new list of “Kids Go Green!” classes is now online at http://www.childrensmuseumofoakridge.org/kids-go-green/.
TN Creates – Oak Ridge Art Center – Tuesdays – Saturdays
Location:  Oak Ridge Art Center – 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge.
Time:Â Â 9:00am-5:00pm (M-F); 1:00pm-4:00pm (Saturdays)
The Oak Ridge Art Center is a Regional Museum and Teaching Facility offering the following activities:  Free Changing Exhibits; Opening Receptions & Gallery Talks; Exciting Special Events; Workshop and Classes that include all painting mediums, pottery & sculpture, children’s classes, jewelry fabrication, printing & etching, art appreciation, and many other arts and crafts.  For more information, visit www.oakridgeartcenter.org or call 865-482-1441.
Aqua Power Classes – Every Monday and Wednesday
Location:  Oak Ridge Civic Center – 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge.
Interested participants may register at the Civic Center front desk.  For more information, visit www.orrecparks.org.
Exercise for Fitness – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings
Location:  Oak Ridge Civic Center – 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge.  Time:  9:00am-10:30am
Classes meet year round.  Fees are $31 per month or $5 per class.  An annual “non-resident” fee of $20 per year is charged where applicable.  For information, visithttp://orrecparks.oakridgetn.gov/civic-center/classes-and-activities/ or call 865-425-3450.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
So, It’s a Solstice, So What? – AMSE – December 21
Participate in activities like making snow, doing the “Solar Slide,” making a solar clock, and investigating “How Cold Is Cold”?  Time:  1:00pm – 3:30pm.  For more information, visit www.amse.org.
AMSE will be closed on December 24th and 25th.
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American Red Cross Lifeguard Course – December 26, 27, 29, and 30
Applicants must be at least 15 years old and take a prerequisite test in order to register for this course.  The prerequisite test will be held on December 17th at 2:15pm at the Civic Center indoor pool.  The course fee will be payable once the applicant has passed the prerequisite testing.  For further information and course fee, visit www.orrecparks.org or call 865-425-3450.
Boys’ Night Out – New Year Celebration – December 31
Location:  DoubleTree – Oak Ridge.  Time:  Begins at 8pm
East Tennessee’s favorite rhythm and blues group rings in the New Year with this special performance at the DoubleTree Hilton Ballroom.  Graze all night on sumptuous hors d’oeuvres, groove on a large dance floor, and enjoy a champagne toast at midnight!  There will be a full cash bar available.  Book a room at the DoubleTree for only $50 on this fun night!  Price:  $60.  For more information, call 865-481-2468 or 865-656-4444.
CitizenÂ’s Police Academy   – January 15, 2015
The Oak Ridge Police Department will be accepting applications for the Citizen’s Police Academy, which will begin on January 15 and run through March 19. For more detailed information, call Community Resource Officer, Brandan Sharp at 865-556-6696 or send an email to [email protected].
Mark Twain At-Large – January 27
Location:  Historic Grove Theater.  Time:  7pm
It was in the spring and fall of 1974 that Ron Jewell first donned a white suite and tried on the likeness of America’s greatest humorist, Samuel Clemens.  In those days the characterization lasted just a few minutes, but it wasn’t long before Jewell found himself on the road touring full-time as his alter ego, Mark Twain.  For tickets, visit http://ev8.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetGroupList?prc=HOLIDAY&caller=PR&linkID=tixunlimited&RDAT=&RSRC=&utm_source=Masskus+Email+Newsletter&utm_campaign=7c554d09fa-12031412_2_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_09ca4aee83-7c554d09fa-21046293.
The Man Who Came To Dinner – Oak Ridge Playhouse – January 30 – February 8
Location:  Oak Ridge Playhouse – 227 Broadway – Historic Jackson Square, Oak Ridge.   Mainstage
In Kaufmann and Hart’s 1940s comedy, famed author and personality Sheridan Whiteside invited to dinner during a speaking tour, slips on the doorstep, breaking his hip.  A tumultuous six weeks of confinement follows as the irascible and disagreeable invalid takes over the host family’s home and destroys their domestic tranquility with the arrival of strange and exotic get-well gifts, a parade of celebrity friends, and a devious plot to undermine his secretary’s budding romance. Show dates and times:  1/30 and 1/31 at 8pm; 2/1 at 2pm; 2/5-7 at 8pm; and 2/8 at 2pm.  For more information or for tickets, visit www.orplayhouse.com or call 865-482-9999.
IN THE AREA:
Holiday Homecoming Celebration – Norris Dam State Park – December 13
Join us for a walk through time discovering old time traditions representing Tennessee Holiday Homecomings in the local region.  Celebrations will take place on the east side of the park as our rustic cabin area transforms into a winter village of festivities for the holiday season.  There will be live animal demonstrations, historical depiction of Appalachian like, horse drawn wagon rides, old time music and holiday treats.  Be expected to walk approx. one mile, so dress warmly and bring a flashlight.  For more information, call 865-426-7461 or visit www.norrisdamstatepark.org.
Christmas in Old Appalachia – Museum of Appalachia – thru December 24
Museum of Appalachia -2819 Andersonville Highway
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.
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