Oak Ridge Today

Celebrate National Pi Day with a pie from Blossom Center for Childhood Excellence

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While National Pi Day on March 14 has been observed in many ways due to a pun based on the words “pi” and “pie” being homophones in English, the Blossom Center for Childhood Excellence has planned a unique way to celebrate Pi Day by doing what else? Having a fundraiser selling delicious homemade pies baked by Blossom’s Angels for everyone to take home to enjoy.

The pie sale was the brainchild of one of the Angels (also knows as the fund development team) to raise money to help support Blossom Center for Childhood Excellence while also helping the community learn more about programs available to families.

A variety of pies including key lime will be available for purchase for $25 each at Blossom Center for Childhood Excellence on Pi Day, Wednesday, March 14, between 3 and 6 p.m. Advance orders can made between March 5 and 14 by calling (865) 294-4233 or by email to jinxwats@utk.org. (Please put “pie” on the subject line.) Blossom is located at 280 Royce Circle (across from Willow Brook Elementary School) in Oak Ridge.

Blossom Center for Childhood Excellence offers excellent child centered programs that are affordable and accessible seven days a week to all families, thus closing the gap in Oak Ridge between what working higher and lower income parents can provide to enhance their children’s learning, a press release said. The nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization provides care for children 1 through 12 years. The center is open 20 hours a day; from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. Currently 48 children are enrolled. More information about BCCE can be found on line at blossom24-7.org or by calling (865) 294-4133.

This press release was submitted by Maureen Hoyt.

Researcher to discuss mussels in the Clinch River on Thursday, March 22

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Tennessee Citizens for Wildnerness Planning

Longtime mussel researcher Steve Ahlstedt will present a program on mussels in the Clinch River on Thursday, March 22. The program will start at 7 p.m. in the Oak Ridge Civic Center Social Room.

Ahlstedt, a native New Yorker who came south to work for the Tennessee Valley Authority in 1974, began his career as an aquatic biologist, specializing in aquatic insects. Over several years, he developed an interest in freshwater mussels and soon became the principal malacologist for the agency, a press release said. He conducted surveys on many of the streams in the Tennessee River Watershed and was instrumental in initiating a transplanting program for imperiled mussel species.

Steve worked for many years at TVA before transferring to the United States Geological Survey, where he finished his government career.

He still works in the freshwater mussel field, contracting his services over a large area of Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and Ohio, and is active in mussel restoration projects. His passion has always been the Clinch and Powell Rivers. Steve is recognized as one of the foremost mussel experts in the Tennessee Valley Region and beyond, the press release said.

Comedy group Einstein Simplified at UT Arboretum for May 6 fundraiser

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Einstein Simplified

Einstein Simplified

 

Enjoy an early Mother’s Day with comedy group Einstein Simplified

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society again presents an evening of laughter and live improvisational comedy with Einstein Simplified during a fundraiser on Sunday, May 6.

The fundraiser is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. May 6 at the UT Arboretum on South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

“Come enjoy the fun as this well-known Knoxville area comedy improv group entertains us with original, unrehearsed improv,” a press release said. “If you like ‘Second City’ and ‘Saturday Night Live,’ this show is for you! Given today’s roller coaster political climate, we expect a very funny show. Don’t miss it!”

Due to popular demand in 2017, the group is returning to the Arboretum for the second year, the press release said. [Read more…]

Anderson County Chamber hosts county election candidate forum

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The Anderson County Chamber of Commerce will host a forum in Clinton this month for candidates in the Anderson County primary election in May.

The candidate forum will be moderated by Gene Patterson, community relations lead for Consolidated Nuclear Security, which manages and operates the Y-12 National Security Complex.

The candidate forum will be hosted by the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce Government/Community Relations Committee. It is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, at The Ritz Theater at 119 North Main Street in downtown Clinton. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the concession stand will be open, a press release said. [Read more…]

ORUD raises money for program that helps families with heating bills

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Emily Rios and Nikki Adkisson of the Marketing Department for Oak Ridge Utility District are pictured above with Barry Stephenson at the MCLinc Valentine’s Day Pancake Breakfast. (Submitted photo)

Emily Rios and Nikki Adkisson of the Marketing Department for Oak Ridge Utility District are pictured above with Barry Stephenson at the MCLinc Valentine’s Day Pancake Breakfast. (Submitted photo)

 

In February, Oak Ridge Utility District hosts its annual “Have a Heart, Heat a Home” fundraiser to raise money for ADFAC’s Project SAFE, a program that helps families struggling to pay heating bills and facing the loss of energy service.

This year’s low temperatures in January meant that heating bills would be on the rise and donations would be greatly needed, a press release said.

“In order to help our neighbors pay these bills, ADFAC counts on the generosity of the community to support the program,” the press release said. [Read more…]

New sports complex opens at Clinton High School

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Photo courtesy Johanna Whitley/Anderson County Schools

Photo courtesy Johanna Whitley/Anderson County Schools

 

Clinton High School officially opened its new sports complex on March 1.

“The complex was a dream of so many in the community,” Anderson County Schools said on its website. “ACS would like to thank everyone who had a part in making this dream a reality.

“A special thanks goes to Mr. Joe Hollingsworth…his dedication to our community will be a gift to the students and families of Clinton for generations to come. Thank you, Mr. Hollingsworth.” [Read more…]

Clinton Middle School introduces College & Career Academy

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Clinton Middle College and Career Academy 2018-2019 Registration Guide Cover

By Clinton Middle School

With the current push in our school district, Anderson County Schools, and in the State of Tennessee to promote success for every student, every day, Clinton Middle School has drawn up plans to transition from a traditional middle school to a “College and Career Academy.”

On Monday night, March 5, 2018, the Anderson County Board of Education unanimously approved the CMS administration’s plans for huge changes coming next school year. To start the 2018-19 school year, the hometown middle school will be Clinton Middle School: College and Career Academy.

This will serve first to create an environment of goal-attaining, resilient young people working with educators to close achievement gaps and to gain awareness of the world beyond secondary education. Plans have been set in motion to create the following: advisory programs, grade level college and career focuses, diverse related arts programs, financial literacy programs, and community service projects.

Each grade level will focus throughout the year on a different aspect of college and career readiness. [Read more…]

Roger Ward named Principal of the Year

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Roger Ward

Roger Ward

Roger Ward has been named Principal of the Year by Oak Ridge Schools.

Ward has been principal of Linden Elementary School since July 2005.

He began his career in 1990 and has served in many roles as an elementary educator during the past 28 years, a press release said.

“Mr. Ward emphasizes that students need not only to learn academic skills but also to be responsible, respectful, ready, and safe,” the press release said. “Thank you for your continued dedication to the students and staff at Linden and throughout the Oak Ridge Schools family.”

Ward’s nomination will be sent to the state level for consideration, Oak Ridge Schools said in the press release. The state winner will be honored during the annual LEAD Conference in Nashville.

Each year, an outstanding public school principal earns distinction as the Tennessee Department of Education Principal of the Year, the press release said. [Read more…]

Cybersecurity expert shares career opportunities with Roane State students

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Cybersecurity expert Rob Ashcraft of Sword & Shield Enterprise Security discusses career opportunities with Roane State students. (Submitted photo)

Cybersecurity expert Rob Ashcraft of Sword & Shield Enterprise Security discusses career opportunities with Roane State students. (Submitted photo)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

In this era of online hacking and ransomware, jobs in cybersecurity are booming, and they pay extremely well, an expert in the field told Roane State Community College faculty and students.

Rob Ashcraft, with the state’s largest firm of its kind—Sword & Shield Enterprise Security of Knoxville—recently gave an overview of the various positions available in the profession.

The demand for those jobs is growing 350 percent faster than other information technology positions, and those with the appropriate certifications can make as much as $55 an hour.

“I think you made a good choice,” Ashcraft told students now enrolled in Roane State’s new cyber defense program, which was launched in the fall 2017 semester. “It’s a great career, and it’s a lot of fun.” [Read more…]

ORNL, NETL sign research agreement on new ways to use coal

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U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy Steve Winberg looks on as Acting National Energy Technology Laboratory Director Sean Plasynski, left, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Thomas Zacharia shake hands after signing a research agreement on new ways to use coal on Friday, March 2, 2018. (Photo courtesy NETL)

U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy Steve Winberg looks on as Acting National Energy Technology Laboratory Director Sean Plasynski, left, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Thomas Zacharia shake hands after signing a research agreement on new ways to use coal on Friday, March 2, 2018. (Photo courtesy NETL)

 

Two U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories with energy research expertise, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory, have agreed to pursue research that could find new ways to use coal, a press release said.

ORNL and the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, signed the agreement, a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, on Friday, March 2.

The two labs are joining forces to pursue research on new ways to use coal to create innovative high-value products, the press release said.

U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy Steve Winberg attended the signing event.

“The MOU signed today signals the Department’s continued commitment to enhancing the use of our coal resources,” Winberg said. “The depth and breadth of scientific knowledge across the DOE enterprise, especially at our national labs, is what allows for this kind of innovative partnership.” [Read more…]

Roane State launches office, website to help parents stay engaged with students

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Roane State’s new parent portal is online at www.roanestate.edu/parents. The portal offers parents access to campus news and deadlines, personalized newsletters, alerts, and insights into students’ progress and financial details. (Submitted image)

Roane State’s new parent portal is online at www.roanestate.edu/parents. The portal offers parents access to campus news and deadlines, personalized newsletters, alerts, and insights into students’ progress and financial details. (Submitted image)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

There’s a new office promoting family involvement and providing ways for families help their students succeed at Roane State Community College.

It’s called the Office of Parent and Family Engagement. An integral part of this new office is providing a “parent and family portal” developed by CampusESP. The portal is online at www.roanestate.edu/parents.

The portal, available on any device, allows parents to learn more about their children’s college experience, from campus news and events to notices about tuition and grade-point averages.

Students will be able to determine what access is given to parents or guardians through the new portal. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge offers Spring Break camps

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Campers will make slime, paint rocks, and have leprechaun fun at the Children’s Museum Spring Break Camp in March 2018. (Submitted photo)

Campers will make slime, paint rocks, and have leprechaun fun at the Children’s Museum Spring Break Camp in March 2018. (Submitted photo)

 

Flower art, slime and chemistry, science and art, and St. Patrick’s Day activities will be among spring break camps offered for children in kindergarten through 5th grades at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge Monday through Friday, March 12-16.

The museum will offer morning camps from 9 a.m.-noon and afternoon sessions from 1-4 p.m. Children may register for individual sessions, a day, all mornings, all afternoons, or the entire week.

Meanwhile, the Children’s Museum will be open for visits Tuesday through Sunday during spring break. Children may imagine they are astronauts in the Mars Rocket Room, play in a farmer’s market in the Healthy Living exhibit, explore how children lived in historic Appalachia, wander through a rain forest, play in a tugboat in TVA Waterworks, and much more.

Here’s the schedule of activities for March 12-16: [Read more…]