Oak Ridge Today

MOTH-ers Night Out at UT Arboretum on Saturday

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Tiger Moth

Tiger Moth

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will sponsor the fifth annual MOTH-ers Night Out program Saturday evening.

The program starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge

“Have you ever wondered about what kind of insects are out hunting and eating while you sleep snugly in your bed at night?” a press release said. “Come learn about these creatures with naturalist Kris Light. After an introductory program in the main office building, we will venture outdoors to check the sheets to observe the insects that have been attracted by the black lights.” [Read more…]

Health Night at MMC to feature Missy Kane today

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Missy Kane

Missy Kane

Methodist Medical Center is hosting “Health Night on the Town” on Tuesday, April 29, at 7 p.m. Missy Kane and the 2013 Covenant Health Biggest Winner champion, Bryan Paschal, will present “Winning the Weight Loss Battle.”

Missy has gained notoriety as a former track and field coach for the University of Tennessee, a Pan American Games medalist, and an Olympic athlete, but she’s best known locally for her exercise show, “Fit and Fun with Missy Kane,” airing weekdays on East Tennessee Public Television. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum to have presentation on bats on Thursday

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Bat at UT Arboretum

Northern Long-eared Bat (Photos courtesy of Middleton Photos)

The University of Tennessee Arboretum will host a presentation on bats—“Let’s Go BAT-ty”—from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday.

Gerry Middleton, a biologist who has studied bats extensively, will present a slide show at the Visitor’s Center to discuss his two-year study of Arboretum bats. Using his “bat detector,” he will take the group outside to look for the nocturnal creatures.

A biologist with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation in the U.S. Department of Energy-Oversight Office, Middleton promised that this will be an opportunity for all ages to learn more about the local bat population, a press release said. Middleton has an master’s degree in wildlife and fisheries from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. [Read more…]

Pet of the Day: Onyx

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Pet of the Day: Onyx

Submitted

I am Onyx, and I look like one rough and tumble guy, but I’ve just had a tough life. All I want now is to find me a big old lap and a bunch of heavy petting. I need a hero in my corner. Are you that special one?

Onyx is our big, beautiful pet of the day. Please pay him a visit today at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter. They are open from 11-6, and all of the animals would love to see you.

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter is at 395 Belgrade Road in east Oak Ridge. The phone number is (865) 425-3423.

See the Animal Shelter’s website here. You can also find more information on adoptable animals at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on this Facebook page.

Stone Soup Ministry serving free community meal Friday

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Stone Soup Community Meal

From left to right, volunteers Jinx Watson, Beatrice Holt, Todd Sherline, and daughter Poppy prepare for guests at a recent ORUUC Stone Soup Free Community Meal. The next meal will be served on April 25. (File photo)

Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will be serving a free community meal on Friday, April 25. Dine-in or takeout will be available from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Social Hall of the church.

This month’s meal includes homemade tomato soup, sandwiches, chocolate cupcakes, and milk.

The Stone Soup Ministry free community meal is held the last Friday of every month at the same time in the Social Hall of the church. Food for the free monthly meal is provided by the ORUUC congregation along with financial support from several members of the Oak Ridge Community. [Read more…]

Community meal at Oak Ridge Family Bible Church on Wednesday

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Oak Ridge Family Bible Church Logo

Oak Ridge Family Bible Church will host its monthly community meal, Dinner with our Neighbor, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

This event began a number of years ago and has not just been feeding the community, but has also been a time of building relationships and helping neighbors during lonely and difficult times, a press release said.

The Rev. Robert May said: “There are many folks in our area that will sit down to have a meal alone, and it is our aim to give them an opportunity to have a meal with someone who cares and possibly make some new friends. Also, there may be some folks that are finding it difficult to feed their family, and the dinner we serve might relieve that pressure.” [Read more…]

Altrusa to host author Jay Searcy on Wednesday

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Jay Searcy

Jay Searcy

On Wednesday, the Oak Ridge chapter of  Altrusa Club International will be hosting Jay Searcy from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel.

Searcy is an acclaimed newspaper man and author of “The Last Reunion.” The topic of his presentation is  “The Last Reunion—Stories of wartime life in Oak Ridge.”

The Doubletree Hotel is located at 215 S. Illinois Ave.

Pet of the Day: Bordeaux

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Bordeaux-Pet of the Day

Bordeaux-Pet of the Day

Submitted

Beautiful Bordeaux was the Monday pet of the day. She is as sweet as she is gorgeous and she needs a home. Please help us place her by sharing her picture and story. The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter will open again on Tuesday.

“Well, I am one stunningly gorgeous prissy little thing and quite vocal right now because I just frankly want out! This is no place to confine a real beauty like me who is full of life and love and adventure. I am the sweetest, most loving thing, and I roll over to be loved. I also try to get my head and paws out of the cage. [Read more…]

Sewer rehabilitation work continues in Oak Ridge; schedule for week of April 21

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Sewer rehabilitation in Oak Ridge continues for the week of April 21. Residents should have already received color letters and door hangers providing general information and the applicable contractor’s contact information. The letters and door hangers are orange for Hurst Excavating and purple for Morgan Contracting.

Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists are urged to use extra care and caution when traveling on the streets with sewer work areas, a press release said. Temporary road repairs will be made, and loose gravel should be expected until the patches are permanently paved.

[Read more…]

Youth Pride Fest in Oak Ridge May 31

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Clockwise from Olivia Erkins, Caroline Dobyns, Keith Coyle, Kawon Whiteside, Anne Backus (president of Oak Ridge PFLAG), Joe Sears, Particia Edou, Alex Todd, Misty Neergaard

The Pride Fest planning committee is pictured above. Clockwise from left to right starting in the back row are Olivia Erkins, Caroline Dobyns, Keith Coyle, Kawon Whiteside, Anne Backus (president of Oak Ridge PFLAG), Joe Sears, Particia Edou, Alex Todd, Misty Neergaard. (Submitted photo)

Oak Ridge’s first Youth Pride Fest will be Saturday, May 31.

It’s for all East Tennessee LGBTQ youth and allies under the age of 21, and parents.

The Youth Pride Fest will be held at First Presbyterian Church from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. May 31. Youth should register by May 24 to attend the full day.

In the morning, there will be discussions on activism and being involved, spirituality, and coming out, as well as a presentation, “Love is not black and white” by members of the ORHS chapter of GSA. During the day, there will also be a scavenger hunt with prizes. [Read more…]

ARC Anderson County to have anti-bullying seminar May 1

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There will be a free anti-bullying seminar at the Oak Ridge High School Amphitheater from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 1. This presentation is open to the public, but it will focus on those with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Speakers will be Frank Meeuwis, Scott Finney, and Will Mc Millan from The Arc Tennessee in Nashville. The Arc Anderson County is an advocacy organization that helps those with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Teachers who attend will receive a certificate for in-service hours.

To attend, please call (865) 481-0550 by April 18 to register as seating is limited.

ORCMA ‘Double Feature’ show on Saturday includes dinner, concert

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oak-ridge-symphony-double-feature-0414-300x250

A “Double Feature” concert on Saturday will include favorite movie themes played by the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra.

It’s the orchestra’s final performance of the season, and it will feature conductor Dan Allcott directing music themes from “Gone with the Wind,” “Star Trek,” “007,” and much more, a press release said. The music starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center.

The orchestra’s Pop’s Concert is presented by the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association.

The concert will be preceded by a fundraising dinner that will benefit the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Concert series, the Oak Ridge Chorus, education outreach by ORCMA, and the Coffee Concerts. The dinner is sponsored by ORCMA, and it starts at 5:30 p.m. at the ORHS Performing Arts Center. [Read more…]