Oak Ridge Today

Celebrate summer with music in the park on Aug. 6

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Dale Pendley directs the Oak Ridge Community Band during a concert at Alvin K. Bissell Park on July 4, 2017. (Submitted photo)

Dale Pendley directs the Oak Ridge Community Band during a concert at Alvin K. Bissell Park on July 4, 2017. (Submitted photo)

 

Submitted

After a very successful concert on July 4 before a large and amazing audience who stayed even through the rain showers, the Oak Ridge Community Band is currently rehearsing for its third concert of the summer to be held on Sunday evening, August 6, at A.K. Bissell Park.

Beginning at 7 p.m. that day, the Community Band will perform a “Touch of Latin”program, which will also include some swing, jazz, and show tunes. There is no admission fee for the summer concerts, although donations are gratefully accepted to help with community band expenses.

The public is encouraged to bring chairs or blankets for outdoor seating, and Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab will provide refreshments. [Read more…]

National associations name Oak Ridge teacher as STEM Ambassador

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The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) announced that Elaine Vaughan, a math teacher at Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, was one of 10 math and science teacher leaders selected to serve as a 2017 STEM Teacher Ambassador.

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) have announced that Elaine Vaughan, a math teacher at Oak Ridge High School, was one of 10 math and science teacher leaders selected to serve as a 2017 STEM Teacher Ambassador.

 

The National Science Teachers Association and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics have announced that Elaine Vaughan, a math teacher at Oak Ridge High School, is one of 10 math and science teacher leaders selected to serve as a 2017 STEM Teacher Ambassador.

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

“Many of the policies and practices that shape K–12 STEM education today have resulted with little or no input from classroom teachers,” said David Evans, executive director of the National Science Teachers Association. “Throughout the year, the STEM Teacher Ambassadors will be taking on additional responsibilities and leadership positions, which will create new roles and a greater voice for teachers and for STEM education.”

Vaughan joined colleagues—all recipients of the Presidential Awardee for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching—for intensive training in communications, media, and policy. The training was created by the National Science Teachers Association and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and it is designed to expand the classroom teacher voice at the local, state, and national levels, a press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge cross country team has pancake breakfast Aug. 5

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The Oak Ridge cross country team will have its annual pancake breakfast on Saturday, August 5, at First United Methodist Church next to the high school. Breakfast will be served from 8-10 a.m.

Tickets are available from any team member or at the door for $5.

“So come on out and support ORXC,” a press release said. “We look forward to seeing you there and thanks for your support!”

ORICL courses benefit seniors; register by Aug. 7 for fall term

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ORICL members recently toured Mayfield Dairy. (Submitted photo)

ORICL members recently toured Mayfield Dairy. (Submitted photo)

 

By Carolyn Krause

As traditionalists and baby boomers age, they are looking for ways to be as productive, safe, healthy, and comfortable as possible. This September, the Oak Ridge Institute for Continued Learning, which will be celebrating its 20th anniversary, is offering many practical courses for seniors.

Sample topics are caregiving, movement improvement, maximizing the brain-body connection, aging in place, fall prevention, effects of normal aging on driving, and making lifestyle changes, such as downsizing and moving.

At ORICL, you can learn how to write a memoir, operate a computer, invest wisely in the stock market, and do estate planning. [Read more…]

Fulmer to be keynote speaker at Industry Appreciation Breakfast in September

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Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce Industry Appreciation Breakfast Sept 12 2017

Former University of Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer will be the keynote speaker at an Industry Appreciation Breakfast in Oak Ridge in September.

The invitation-only breakfast is sponsored by the Oak Ridge Utility District and the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce. It will be at ORUD on Tuesday morning, September 12.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Savor marvelous music from the movies on Aug. 5

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The Oak Ridge Philharmonia is pictured above in rehearsal. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Philharmonia is pictured above in rehearsal. (Submitted photo)

 

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Prepare to have your memories stimulated by famous movie music at the free August 5 concert by the Oak Ridge Philharmonia. Whether it is “As Time Goes By” from Casablanca, “The Shadow of Your Smile” from The Sandpiper, the iconic songs from James Bond movies, or the themes from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, and Schindler’s List, you are sure to find lots to enjoy in this concert.

Herman Hupfeld originally wrote “As Time Goes By” in 1931 for the Broadway musical Everybody’s Welcome. Its appearance in the 1942 movie, Casablanca, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, is what made the song famous. The refrain was sung by the character Sam (Dooley Wilson).

“The Shadow of Your Smile” by Johnny Mandel premiered in The Sandpiper, a 1965 film starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Other than a straightforward version of the theme that features a vocal group, Jack Sheldon’s trumpet was prominent throughout much of the haunting score. This song became so popular that virtually every famous crooner recorded and published their own rendition. [Read more…]

Like what we’re doing? Subscribe to Oak Ridge Today

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If you appreciate what we do here at Oak Ridge Today, please consider becoming a voluntary subscriber. You don’t have to subscribe to read our stories, but your contribution will help us cover local news for you day and night, as best we can.

We currently offer three subscription levels: $5, $10, or $25 per month. We accept payments through PayPal. You can also send check payments to our P.O. box. Please visit our subscription page for information on these options. [Read more…]

Clinton mother dies, three children injured in Knoxville crash

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A mother identified as a Clinton resident died and her three children were injured in a single-vehicle crash in Knoxville on Saturday morning, authorities said.

The crash was reported at about 6:42 a.m. Saturday at Western Avenue and Mynders Avenue.

When they arrived, Knoxville Police Department officers found a 1998 Ford Explorer that had flipped and was on its side with the driver and three children trapped, the KPD said. Civilians and emergency personnel were able to remove the three children from the vehicle. Their mother died on the scene.

All three children were taken to Children’s Hospital and treated for minor injuries, the KPD said. [Read more…]

UCOR wins international innovation award

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URS | CH2M Oak Ridge LLC’s Gary Kephart and Bill Evans, far left, accept the Innovation Award from the event hosts. (Photo courtesy DOE Office of Environmental Management)

URS | CH2M Oak Ridge LLC’s Gary Kephart and Bill Evans, far left, accept the Innovation Award from the event hosts. (Photo courtesy DOE Office of Environmental Management)

 

The federal cleanup contractor in Oak Ridge was among 11 international winners of the Environmental Health and Safety Innovation Awards.

URS | CH2M Oak Ridge LLC, or UCOR, is the cleanup contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management.

UCOR was the public sector category winner, DOE said in a story published by the Office of Environmental Management on June 28. The award highlights the company’s use of sensors, drones, information technology, wearables, and occupational health and safety software in cleanup projects at the East Tennessee Technology Park, Y-12 National Security Complex, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

“They’ve done a tremendous job fostering a culture where employees are encouraged to approach and perform sensitive and complex projects in new and creative ways,” said Jay Mullis, OREM acting manager. “Our mission is reaping the benefits as we continue making progress while helping keep the workforce safe.” [Read more…]

Y-12 honors its inventors with Technology Transfer awards

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The Y-12 National Security Complex recently recognized 33 inventors at its annual Tech Transfer award ceremony. The group was awarded 10 patents in the past year. (Photo by CNS)

The Y-12 National Security Complex recently recognized 33 inventors at its annual Tech Transfer award ceremony. The group was awarded 10 patents in the past year. (Photo by CNS)

 

Inventors at the Y-12 National Security Complex were awarded honors for their innovative technology accomplishments during the recent 13th annual Technology Transfer Awards Ceremony. The site has a long history of producing technologies that are transferred to the private sector, Y-12 said in a story posted on its website in June.

Ten patents were awarded in fiscal year 2016 in areas ranging from an apparatus for characterizing aerosols to several unique material processes, Y-12 said.

Thirty-three inventors also were recognized for bringing forward new ideas in the form of invention disclosures that could one day lead to future patents.

“These employees were acknowledged for both their creativity and innovative ideas in support of the technology development and transfer mission,” the story said. “The new inventions developed by the honorees will be used to further Y-12’s mission work and will be made available through license to benefit the public through Y-12’s Technology Transfer program.” [Read more…]

Safety Fest TN opens registration for 90 free safety classes on Monday

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Safety Fest TN

Registration opens Monday for Safety Fest TN, an annual community event that offers 90 free safety classes to residents and companies from September 11-15, a press release said.

This year’s training classes will be offered at the New Hope Center at Y-12 National Security Complex, ORAU’s Pollard Technical Center, and other local venues, the press release said. Registration and a complete list of classes can be found at www.safetyfesttn.org.

“Planners for the event work to develop offerings each year that provide valuable insight and training to the region that may be costly or difficult to obtain elsewhere,” the press release said. “A sample of this year’s classes include Careers in Occupational Safety and Health (for high school and community college students), Chain Saw Safety, CPR and First Aid Certification, Confined Space, Evacuation and Emergency Planning, Fall Prevention, HAZWOPER 8-hour, OSHA Construction 10-hour, Power Tool Safety, Trench Safety, and Welding Safety.”

“This is the sixth year of Safety Fest TN’s offering so many outstanding safety classes for free,” said Michelle Keever, UCOR’s senior safety and health program specialist and Safety Fest class coordinator. “Our community sponsors make it possible for us to not only offer free safety training, but to provide free lunches and breaks for a convenient training experience.” [Read more…]

Award-winning PBS science educator to present eclipse program Aug. 10

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Submitted photo

Submitted photo

 

Award-winning PBS science educator Janet Ivey will present a program on the solar eclipse in Oak Ridge in August.

Ivey is creator of “Janet’s Planet,” which is syndicated on 140 public television stations throughout the U.S. and has received 12 regional Emmys and five Gracie Allen awards, a press release said.

Her August 10 program is titled “A Day in the Dark! Solar Eclipse 2017!” It’s sponsored by the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society.

The family-friendly program will be held in the UT Arboretum Auditorium on Thursday, August 10, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., the press release said. The arboretum is at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]