Oak Ridge Today

Roane State associate professor honored by NASA for work on Pluto flyby

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

ted_stryk_nasa_award

For years, Roane State Community College associate professor Ted Stryk has peered into powerful telescopes to explore the mysteries of outer space. It’s his hobby and his passion. On Jan. 19, 2017, the associate professor of philosophy and English was honored for his role in a NASA investigation of the dwarf planet Pluto and its moons. (Photo courtesy Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

For years, Roane State Community College associate professor Ted Stryk has peered into powerful telescopes to explore the mysteries of outer space.

It’s his hobby and his passion.

On January 19, the associate professor of philosophy and English was honored for his role in a NASA investigation of the dwarf planet Pluto and its moons.

Stryk and about 200 other researchers received certificates of achievement for helping learn more about the solar system’s most distant planet, some 3 billion miles away. The ceremony was held at the applied physics lab at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. [Read more…]

Free workshop on government contracting on Feb. 7

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center will offer a free workshop on February 7 on the GSA Schedule (for government contracting).

The seminar is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, February 7, at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, which is at 1400 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. Call (865) 483-2668 or send an email to jbangs@tsbdc.org to register.

ACSD investigating cause of Saturday fire

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Information from WYSH Radio

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department’s Criminal Investigation Division is looking into the cause of a fire that seriously damaged a mobile home on Norris Freeway on Saturday morning.

After firefighters from the Andersonville Volunteer Fire Department doused the blaze, investigators spoke with the resident of the single-wide trailer, who told them he was in the process of moving out and had not stayed there in a couple of nights. [Read more…]

Tea Thyme Favorites Valentine Tea at Old Towne Inn is Feb. 11 in Oak Ridge

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Tea Thyme Favorites Valentine Tea

Mary Ann Damos, right, and Carroll Welch are pictured above. (Submitted photo)

 

By Mary Ann Damos

On Saturday, February 11, at noon, an elegant ladies’ tea party by Tea Thyme Favorites will be held in Oak Ridge at the Old Towne Inn. Step back in time to a 1920s scene from Downton Abbey, a time when women first experienced a new freedom in their lives and in fashion during the changing times.

You and your friends are welcome to share in Tea Thyme Favorites and specialty teas at the lovely Old Town Inn. Mouthwatering savories include: ribbons of cucumber topping, mounds of chicken salad, delicious ham salad, and creamy egg salad garnished with fresh herbs and greens. Cheese crisps and mini-Quiche Lorraines will also adorn the table. For sweetness, enjoy chocolate heart brownies, cranberry scones, and pink sweetheart cookies. [Read more…]

Free community meal on Friday at Oak Ridge church

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Stone Soup Ministry team at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will be serving a free community meal on Friday, January 27. Dine-in or take-out will be available from 5 to 6 p.m.

ORUUC is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike (close to traffic light number 2) in Oak Ridge. Homemade white chicken chili, cornbread, fresh fruit, and cookies will be on the menu. [Read more…]

Free seminar on how to do business with the government on Feb. 8

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center will offers a free workshop on February 8 on how to do business with the government.

The government contracting seminar is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, February 8. It’s at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, which is at 1400 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. You may register by calling (865) 483-2668 or sending an email to jbangs@tsbdc.org.

This press release was submitted by Jutta Bangs.

Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra to perform in Free Family Concert on Sunday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Family Concert Instrument Petting Zoo

Family Concert Instrument Petting Zoo (Photo courtesy ORCMA)

 

In what has become a fun-filled, family tradition, the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association will present the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra’s Annual Free Family Concert for families and music lovers on Sunday, January 29, at the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center.

The concert is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Sunday. It is appropriate for all ages and includes informative pieces and instrument demonstrations so that first timers can learn about the symphony orchestra, a press release said.

Music Director Dan Allcott recently instituted another tradition, whereby a special prize is awarded to the winner of the Ralph Einstein Youth Aliyah Concert competition. Allcott offers an opportunity for the winner to perform with the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra on the Family Concert.

“I think it is very inspiring for young people to see young performers,” Allcott said. “We want them to know that someday they could be on stage with us. The soloist for this year’s concert will be 17-year-old violinist, Mitchell Cloutier.” [Read more…]

Health Night program to focus on bladder issues for women over 40 on Jan. 31

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Scott Peters

Scott Peters

 

Urinary incontinence and overactive bladder are health problems that can add undue stress to your everyday activities. The conditions can cause you to feel depressed, guilty, and tired from not sleeping well and can affect your quality of life.

Learn more as obstetrician and gynecologist Scott Peters presents “Help, My Bladder is Controlling My Life” in a discussion of bladder issues that affect women over 40 during Methodist Medical Center’s Health Night on the Town physician lecture on Tuesday, January 31, at 7 p.m. in the Ridge Conference Room of Methodist Medical Center, which is located at 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]

New wine festival to focus on quality, wine trails, Nine Lakes region

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Nine Lakes Wine Festival Logo

The first-ever Nine Lakes Wine Festival will be held May 19-20 in Oak Ridge.

The festival will focus on the wine trails of the eastern half of Tennessee and their award-winning wines, a press release said. The festival is just 30 minutes from downtown Knoxville, and it bears the name “Nine Lakes” from the nine lakes made by the Tennessee Valley Authority in the Knoxville area.

“The beauty of our waterfront Melton Lake Park is perfect for a wine festival,” said Marc DeRose, president of Explore Oak Ridge, the city’s convention and visitor’s bureau, which is one of the sponsoring partners for the event.

Nine Lakes Wine Festival will feature 20 wineries that participate in five different wine trails. They will be grouped by trail, for a seamless tasting experience, the press release said. [Read more…]

Roane State to celebrate Nesbit’s 25 years of coaching

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Head Coach Randy Nesbit and Roane State’s 1992-93 Men’s Basketball Team. (Photo courtesy Roane State Community College)

Head Coach Randy Nesbit and Roane State’s 1992-93 men’s basketball team. (Photo courtesy Roane State Community College)

 

Roane State Community College is celebrating 25 years with Men’s Basketball Head Coach Randy Nesbit on Saturday, January 28, when the Roane State Raiders take on Dyersburg. The game is at 4 p.m., with a reception to follow.

A 1980 graduate of the Citadel, Nesbit began his Roane State coaching career in the fall of 1992 after serving as assistant to Citadel’s Head Coach Les Robinson. A three-year starting point guard on Robinson-coached basketball teams, Nesbit was a key member of The Citadel’s 1979 team that won 20 games, a first for the college. Captain of the 1980 team, Nesbit was selected to the 1979 and 1980 All-Southern Conference second team and paced the 1978 team with a 54.0 field goal percentage and a 92.5 free throw percentage in 1980, which was the second-best in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA. He tied a school mark with 13 assists in a 1979 game against Marshall, and established the school’s season record of 120 dishes that season, holding the school’s record for most career assists (324). Nesbit played only three years after having transferred from Gulf Coast Community College. [Read more…]

Clinton Council to get update on project to replace Lewallen Bridge

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Hon. William Everette Lewallen Memorial Bridge

The Clinton City Council is scheduled to receive an update Monday evening, Jan. 23, 2017, from City Manager Roger Houck on the status of the state project to replace the Hon. William Everette Lewallen Memorial Bridge on Clinch Avenue. The bridge over the Clinch River connects downtown Clinton and South Clinton on Highway 25W. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Information from WYSH Radio

The Clinton City Council is scheduled to receive an update tonight from City Manager Roger Houck on the status of the state project to replace the Lewallen Bridge connecting South Clinton and downtown Clinton on Highway 25W.

According to the city manager’s report included in the agenda for this evening’s meeting, Houck recently met with Tennessee Department of Transportation officials, who informed him that the project is still on schedule and that the design phase is nearing completion. Houck reported that TDOT has incorporated the various requests made by the city to be included in the design, such as lighting and bike lanes.

A plans review meeting is also set for next month, at which time city leaders could learn more about the expected timetable for the bridge project. [Read more…]

Borchers nominated as Anderson County Substance Abuse Prevention Ally of Year

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Bruce Borchers

Bruce Borchers

Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers has been nominated by Anderson County Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention as a candidate for the 2017 Anderson County Ally of the Year Award.

Candidates were nominated by community members based on their passion for creating a healthier and more productive Anderson County. These candidates are united by one goal: to use their leadership, influence, and communication skills to raise funds to help prevent and reduce substance abuse in Anderson County, a press release said. Each dollar raised by the candidates will count as one vote. The person with the most votes will be named ASAP’s Anderson County Ally of the Year and be recognized at a luncheon on February 3. [Read more…]