Oak Ridge Today

Local volunteer Tom Row to be honored at ADFAC Bow Tie Award Event on Saturday

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Tom Row

Tom Row

 

ADFAC’s Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award Event will be held Saturday, November 11, and it will honor local volunteer Tom Row.

The Bow Tie Award Event is from 5-10 p.m. Saturday at the DoubleTree Hotel in Oak Ridge. Row is the fifth winner of the Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award.

Also Saturday, ADFAC will posthumously honor Kathy Stimpson, whose committed efforts to help those less fortunate led to the inspiration and establishment of ADFAC in the mid 1980s, a press release said.

The Bow Tie Award Event is designed to honor a local volunteer and serve as a signature fundraising event for ADFAC and the Bow Tie Endowment Fund, which was established to ensure the short and long-term sustainability of ADFAC. Previous Bow Tie Award winners include Ray Smith (2013), Tim Myrick (2014), Cande Seay (2015), and Bear Stephenson (2016). [Read more…]

ORHS Masquers to present Southern comedy ‘Dearly Departed’ this week

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Senior Lilly Laverdure is pictured above as Lucille Turpin fussing at her husband, Ray Bud Turpin, portrayed by junior Dillon Nowatchik, in the Oak Ridge High School Masquers' production of the Southern comedy "Dearly Department." (Submitted photo)

Senior Lilly Laverdure is pictured above as Lucille Turpin fussing at her husband, Ray Bud Turpin, portrayed by junior Dillon Nowatchik, in the Oak Ridge High School Masquers’ production of the Southern comedy “Dearly Department.” (Submitted photo)

 

Oak Ridge High School Masquers, the school’s drama program, will present David Bottrell and Jessie Jones’ Southern comedy “Dearly Departed” for three performances this week.

The performances are scheduled for Thursday, November 9, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, November 11, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, November 12, at 2 p.m., at the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center.

“Dearly Departed” is the story of the dysfunctional Turpins’ struggle with the death of the family patriarch, a press release said. Ray-Bud starts drinking as the funeral costs keep rising, Junior tries balancing his terrible children, finances, and marriage, and Delightful buries herself in food as the siblings prepare to bury their father. Turning to their neighbors in this time of need, eccentrics and misfits appear ready to help, but rarely successfully. This southern-fried comedy is sure to please as the Turpins try to honor a man whose wife wants the words “Mean and Surly” inscribed on the grave marker. [Read more…]

DOE names Jay Mullis as new cleanup manager in Oak Ridge

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Jay Mullis

Jay Mullis

 

He’s been the acting manager, and on Wednesday, Jay Mullis was named manager of the Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management. That’s the office that oversees federal cleanup projects at East Tennessee Technology Park, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Y-12 National Security Complex.

Mullis has served as the OREM acting manager since October 2016, and he has served as the deputy manager since February 2015. He has 30 years of federal service, a press release said.

OREM is responsible for environmental cleanup across the 32,400-acre Oak Ridge Reservation, which includes ETTP, ORNL, and Y-12.

“Specifically, Mullis will oversee environmental cleanup and stewardship, decontamination and decommissioning activities, waste processing and management, surveillance and maintenance programs, historic preservation efforts, and procurement and contract functions,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Anderson County Sheriff’s Department helping churches with safety, security

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Anderson County Sheriff's Department Church Safety Security Seminar

After yesterday’s tragedy at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department said it offers its sympathy and prayers for the families of the victims, and prayers for the recovery of the survivors.

“Every house of worship, no matter how large or small, and no matter the location, must prepare for this type of attack,” a press release said. “For the last several years, we have sponsored Church Safety & Security seminars for area worship centers. Our Church Safety & Security Seminar presents up-to-date information to assist congregations in church safety and will assist those that are just beginning to prepare or those seeking to improve readiness. [Read more…]

YWCA Anderson County programs to be discussed at Lunch with League on Tuesday

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Maggie McNally

Maggie McNally

The director of Anderson County services at Knoxville YWCA will discuss programs and services during Lunch with the League in Oak Ridge on Tuesday.

Maggie McNally will be the guest speaker at Lunch with the League. The meeting will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, which is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

An Oak Ridge native, McNally joined the Knoxville YWCA in September 2014 as the Enough! Volunteer coordinator, a press release said. She transitioned into the director of women services, and is now the director of Anderson County services. In her new position, McNally oversees domestic violence programming and staff in Oak Ridge and Anderson County, the press release said.

Previously, McNally did extensive work with children in therapeutic foster care and foster parent recruitment and training. Her experience also includes program development to provide substance abuse treatment services to women who delivered NAS and drug-exposed infants, and work with criminal justice related to clients with substance abuse issues, the press release said. [Read more…]

Leadership Oak Ridge to dedicate garden in memory of Caldwell on Wednesday

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Submitted

The 2017 Class of Leadership Oak Ridge is nearing completion of a project that seeks to honor a beloved member of the community for his tireless efforts to improve the lives of those around him, both personally and professionally. A dedication ceremony for the Dr. Gene Caldwell Memorial Garden has been set for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, November 8, at Emory Valley Center.

The group chose to build a raised-bed garden at Emory Valley Center for their class project and dedicate the garden in memory of Caldwell, a local pediatrician and citizen of Oak Ridge who helped raise the funds for Emory Valley Center’s new location. The group agreed that this would be a wonderful way to honor Caldwell’s legacy. He passed away in March of this year, just before the new center was set to open.

Since early spring, the Leadership class has worked to develop and execute a plan for the garden. They used fundraising for the project as well as donations of materials and labor to make their vision a reality. Navy Junior ROTC cadets from Oak Ridge High School assisted with the build, which was finished earlier this month. The Leadership class is now working on the finishing touches. [Read more…]

Safety message from Oak Ridge Electric: Shorter days mean more street light needs

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Submitted

As the days get shorter and after daylight saving time came to an end this Sunday, November 5, people will be finding themselves outdoors in the dark more often. The Oak Ridge Electric Department has some safety reminders to share with citizens after the time change:

  1. Always use sidewalks. If a sidewalk is not present and you must walk on the side of the street, be sure to walk facing traffic.
  2. Wear light or reflective clothing to be more visible, but never assume that vehicles can see you.
  3. Avoid distracted walking at night. Mobile devices can both draw your attention away from your surroundings and dampen your night vision.
  4. Carry a lightweight flashlight or even an LED headlamp to help you see trip hazards and find your way.

[Read more…]

Rehab work continues this week in Turtle Park Sewer Shed

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Turtle Park Sewer Shed (Map by City of Oak Ridge)

Turtle Park Sewer Shed (Map by City of Oak Ridge)

 

Sewer rehabilitation will continue the week of November 6 with Hurst Excavating LLC working under contract for the City of Oak Ridge to rehabilitate sewer collection pipes in the Turtle Park Sewer Shed. Areas affected by phase two of the project include city easements in yards and roadways.

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

Construction work scheduled for the week beginning Monday, November 6, includes the following locations: [Read more…]

Council work session on Tuesday will be at Jefferson Middle School

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The date and location of the Oak Ridge City Council’s monthly work session has been changed for November. The new date is Tuesday, November 7, and the new venue is Jefferson Middle School, located at 200 Fairbanks Road. The meeting will still begin at 6 p.m.

The change of location is part of an ongoing effort to encourage community engagement. The suggestion was brought up during one of the recent Oak Ridge City Blueprint open house meetings organized by the Community Development Department, a press release said.

Work sessions are non-voting meetings of City Council and do not typically include a public comment period. However, this meeting will include an opportunity for informal conversation with City Council members and municipal staff, the press release said. [Read more…]

Twelve musicians featured with full orchestra in free concert on Saturday, Nov. 18

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The Oak Ridge Philharmonia in the August 2017 Concert. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Philharmonia in the August 2017 Concert. (Submitted photo)

 

There will be 12 featured musicians performing with the full orchestra during a free concert of the Oak Ridge Philharmonia on Saturday, November 18.

Danny Brian will be the soloist for the unforgettable “Piano Concerto No. 1” by Franz Liszt, a press release said. Concertmaster Margaret Moore has selected Beethoven’s “Fifth Violin Sonata” for her performance. The lively first movement of “Concerto for Flute, Oboe, and Bassoon” by Antonio Vivaldi will be presented by Barbara Sparks, Cyndi Jeffers, and Cora Nappo. Kimberly Simpkins, Belle James, and Kathryn York will tangle with the “Tango, Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas” by  Ástor Piazzolla,” the press release said. To add a Mexican flavor, Greg Foertter, Ward Bigler, and Dale Gedcke will play the “Chiapanecas Trumpet Trio,” as arranged by Raphael Méndez. In addition to conducting the piano concerto, and accompanying the violin and trumpet soloists on piano, Marcelo Urias will direct the orchestra in a colorful symphonic poem, “Les Préludes,” by Franz Liszt.

Franz Liszt (1811-1886) was a child prodigy, who leveraged his musical skills into great wealth by playing piano concerts throughout Europe during most of his life.  He was also a well-developed composer, the press release said. Although most of the themes were created before the age of 19, it was a long 26 years of revisions before he finally completed the “Piano Concerto No. 1” to his satisfaction. The result was an impressive composition, with which pianists can enchant their audiences, just as Liszt did, the press release said. It incorporates some dramatic themes, which will cycle through your memory for weeks thereafter, the release said. Danny Brian, a familiar performer with the ORPH, brings a vibrant enjoyment to this piano concerto, the press release said.

Liszt also composed “Les Préludes (Love Storm and Victory)” and thereby established a new category, the symphonic poem, when it premiered in 1854, the release said. That label aptly describes the nature of the composition.

“The music captures the essence of the three scenarios, with intense feelings,” the press release said. “After the orchestra finishes this piece, you may find yourself humming some of the melodies for the next week.” [Read more…]

Veterans Breakfast on Saturday before Veterans Day Parade

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CLINTON—Military veterans from Anderson County are again invited to come together this weekend for a community Veterans Breakfast, a press release said. This month, veterans are encouraged, but not required, to wear their uniforms to the breakfast then walk over to watch the Veterans Day Parade that begins at 10 a.m. The parade route begins on Market Street, then moves down Main Street, passing in front of the Anderson County Courthouse.

The breakfast, hosted by Anderson County citizens, is sponsored this month by Joe Walker. The breakfast will be held this Saturday, November 11, at the Clinton Community Center. “Chow line” opens at 8:30 a.m., and there will be a brief program at 9 a.m. The special guest speaker this month will be Lieutenant Commander Don Thomas, U.S. Navy Reserve (Retired) Chaplain Corps.

All of the Veterans Breakfasts recognize and honor local veterans and their families for their service to the United States, the press release said. [Read more…]

Altrusa, Girls Inc. partner for Make a Difference Day

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Oak Ridge Altrusa Club members partnered with Girls Inc. on Thursday, October 27, for Make a Difference Day. Eleven Altrusans with various careers such as nursing, real estate, engineering, and community service met with approximately 70 girls between the ages of five and 13 at Girls Inc. and discussed the different aspects of their careers. (Submitted photo)

Oak Ridge Altrusa Club members partnered with Girls Inc. on Thursday, October 27, for Make a Difference Day. Eleven Altrusans with various careers such as nursing, real estate, engineering, and community service met with approximately 70 girls between the ages of five and 13 at Girls Inc. and discussed the different aspects of their careers. (Submitted photo)

 

Oak Ridge Altrusa Club members partnered with Girls Inc. on Thursday, October 27, for Make a Difference Day. Eleven Altrusans with various careers such as nursing, real estate, engineering, and community service met with approximately 70 girls between the ages of five and 13 at Girls Inc. and discussed the different aspects of their careers. Each of the girls had a questionnaire and engaged in conversation with each of the career professionals.

One child has dreams of becoming a baker. When asked what she would like to bake, she explained “cakes, cookies and crème brule.” Other girls were interested in fields such as architecture, nursing, pet care, and coding. One child explained that many girls are interested in coding and being encouraged to go into coding, but she felt that architecture would be a better fit for her. Each girl had big dreams for their futures.

Event organizer Altrusan Jane Palmer commented to the participants: “You are helping each one of these girls look at possible careers in a new way. Your influence will last a lifetime.” [Read more…]