Oak Ridge Today

ORAU Annual Giving Campaign exceeds $100,000 goal+ORAU Annual Giving Campaign exceeds $100,000 goal More than $1 million raised in past 10 years benefits United Way and Community Shares Oak Ridge, Tenn. —ORAU exceeded its goal of raising $100,000 in donations as part of its internal annual giving campaign that benefits the United Way and Community Shares nonprofit organizations. ORAU has raised more than $1 million over the past 10 years through this campaign. A total of $126,839 was pledged during the 2024 ORAU Annual Giving Campaign. Employees donate via payroll deduction and could earmark their donation for United Way, Community Shares or both. “ORAU has remained a strong pillar in the community for more than 75 years, and we encourage our employees to consider participating in our annual giving campaign each year to help our less fortunate neighbors in need,” said ORAU President and CEO Andy Page. “Each one of our employees has the power to positively impact the lives of those who need help in the communities where we do business across the country and demonstrate the ORAU way – taking care of each other.” ORAU, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, provides science, health and workforce solutions that address national priorities and serve the public interest. Through our specialized teams of experts and access to a consortium of more than 150 major Ph.D.-granting institutions, ORAU works with federal, state, local and commercial customers to provide innovative scientific and technical solutions and help advance their missions. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Learn more about ORAU at www.orau.org. Learn more about ORAU at www.orau.org. Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakRidgeAssociatedUniversities Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/orau Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orau ###

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Oak Ridge, Tenn. —ORAU exceeded its goal of raising $100,000 in donations as part of its internal annual giving campaign that benefits the United Way and Community Shares nonprofit organizations. ORAU has raised more than $1 million over the past 10 years through this campaign. A total of $126,839 was pledged during the 2024 ORAU Annual Giving Campaign. Employees donate via payroll deduction and could earmark their donation for United Way, Community Shares or both.

“ORAU has remained a strong pillar in the community for more than 75 years, and we encourage our employees to consider participating in our annual giving campaign each year to help our less fortunate neighbors in need,” said ORAU President and CEO Andy Page. “Each one of our employees has the power to positively impact the lives of those who need help in the communities where we do business across the country and demonstrate the ORAU way – taking care of each other.”

ORAU, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, provides science, health and workforce solutions that address national priorities and serve the public interest. Through our specialized teams of experts and access to a consortium of more than 150 major Ph.D.-granting institutions, ORAU works with federal, state, local and commercial customers to provide innovative scientific and technical solutions and help advance their missions. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Learn more about ORAU at www.orau.org.
Learn more about ORAU at www.orau.org.
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakRidgeAssociatedUniversities
Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/orau
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orau

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Children’s Museum Gala Celebrates the Rainforest

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Life in the Amazon Rainforest, covered by a canopy of trees and boasting a rich and biologically diverse environment of plants and animals, will be celebrated at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge Gala, with the theme “A Night in the Rainforest.”

Guests are invited to create costumes reflecting the rainforest theme. They will learn about the colorful hummingbirds that inhabit the rainforest during the Gala from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, during the evening featuring music, a live and silent auction, and dinner.

Guest speaker Stephen Lyn Bales, naturalist and author, will speak on “The Wonder of Hummingbirds,” focusing on those that inhabit tropical rainforests.

“What’s interesting about hummingbirds is there are over 330 species. More than half of those never really leave the tropics. They are either 10 degrees north of the equator or 10 degrees south,” Bales said. “In this country, six or eight species migrate up the California coast from Central America. On our side of America, only one species has found us – the ruby throated hummingbird.”

Those that migrate north in the spring are looking for “elbow room,” he explained. “They come north to find plenty of room to raise a family, without competition from other hummingbirds.” Bales was drawn to his profession – he was educator naturalist for Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville for 20 years before his retirement – after growing up in his own natural wonder.

“I’m from Gatlinburg. We lived a half-mile from the (Great Smoky Mountains) national park, back in the 1950s when it was all brand new, and I developed an interest in birds,” Bales explained. “Mother got a bird feeder and a little bird book and said, ‘We are going to learn our birds together.’

“I’ve basically always been a naturalist. I was one of those kids who would fall asleep reading a field guide,” Bales said.

The Gala evening will feature the Selma Shapiro Friend of the Child Award, which will honor Barry Stephenson, President and CEO of Materials and Chemistry Laboratory, Inc. (MCLinc).
Stephenson and the employee-owned company have been longtime friends and supporters of the Museum, contributing to improvements making the Museum accessible for strollers and for those with disabilities, and supporting the Gala over many years.

Heather Haley, WVLT-TV Chief Meteorologist, will emcee the Gala. Guest DJ Matt Sieger, whose day job is as a project director for Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility, will spin music with a rainforest theme.

Bear Stephenson, of Stephenson Realty and Auction, will again donate his skills to lead the live auction. The live and silent auctions offer opportunities for holiday shopping, and auction items include a Disney Cinderella Carriage necklace from Karen’s Jewelers, a smoked brisket dinner served in the Museum’s Environmental Center, pottery by Bill Capshaw, and a smart bird feeder camera. Gala guests will enjoy dinner by Birdwell Catering.

The Museum’s Rainforest exhibit, featuring a simulated Amazon rainforest, complete with sound effects, a waterfall, a railed walkway, beautiful murals showing the many species of plants and animals, and an observation deck high in the forest canopy, will be open during the Gala.

The Gala, held at the Museum, 461 West Outer Dr., Oak Ridge, is the annual fund raiser for the Children’s Museum, providing critical support for the Museum’s mission of educating children of all ages through play and discovery. Gala sponsorships are available at levels ranging from $10,000 to $500 and come with complimentary tickets and other benefits.

Tickets to the Gala are $125 per person. A table for eight may be purchased for $800, a savings of $200. Tickets may be purchased at: https://event.gives/cmorgala2024. If you can’t attend, you may donate at http://bit.ly/givetocmor. Call Beth Shea at CMOR at (865) 482-1074 or email her at bshea@childrensmuseumofoakridge.org to learn more about Gala sponsorships or for more information.

Photos:
Naturalist Stephen Lyn Bales, here with a barred owl, will be guest speaker at the Children’s Museum Gala.

Bear Stephenson, of Stephenson Realty and Auction, entertains as he auctions items during the 2023 Gala.

Jim Sears joins ORAU as senior vice president

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Ridge, Tenn. — After an extensive military career, James (Jim) Sears joins ORAU as senior vice president. He will lead ORAU Government Services to integrate academia, government and industry in advancing the nation’s learning, health and scientific priorities. Sears will oversee a diverse portfolio of programs focused on public health, environmental science and emergency preparedness, guiding a large team to deliver innovative solutions that benefit the public.

Sears brings a distinguished 33-year career from the United States Air Force, where he served as a five-time commander and combat pilot. Among his notable commands, he led the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing in Afghanistan and the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center. Nearly half of his career was dedicated to developing airmen as he served as an instructor pilot, commander and senior executive. Sears retired from the U.S. Air Force as the principal architect of a modernized approach to personnel education and training, incorporating learning engineering, modern technology and enhanced instructor development to better equip airmen throughout their careers. His dedication to service and innovative leadership have earned him numerous accolades and recognition for his contributions to national defense and security.

“Jim’s impressive leadership and strategic experience will ensure ORAU Government Services remains at the forefront of addressing critical national challenges with excellence, innovation, collaboration and integrity, driving the group’s success in meeting complex challenges with effective, evidence-based strategies,” said ORAU President and CEO Andy Page.

Sears is a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate. He holds master’s degrees in human resource development from Webster University and in strategy and campaign planning from the National Defense University.

ORAU, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, provides science, health and workforce solutions that address national priorities and serve the public interest. Through our specialized teams of experts and access to a consortium of more than 150 major Ph.D.-granting institutions, ORAU works with federal, state, local and commercial customers to provide innovative scientific and technical solutions and help advance their missions. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Learn more about ORAU at www.orau.org.

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Oak Ridge Housing Authority Receives Funding Assistance of up to $51.8 Million For Renovating Public Housing and Building New Workforce Housing

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The Oak Ridge Housing Authority is preparing to renovate 128 existing public housing units and build 104 new affordable workforce rental units at a total development cost of $56 million, with the support of tax credits and tax-exempt bond awards announced today by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency.

The low-income housing tax credits and tax-exempt bonds will generate up to $51.8 million for the renovation and new construction developments throughout Oak Ridge, according to Maria Catron, ORHA Executive Director.

THDA representatives are joining ORHA and its development partner, Collaborative Housing Solutions, in making the announcement of funds that will help substantially rehab the 128 units scattered across the city and help build new rental housing in the Scarboro community.

The announcement is taking place at the Scarboro Community Center, 148 Carver Ave., Oak Ridge, adjacent to the 10-acre site where the 104 new housing units will be located.

ORHA is receiving a 4 percent tax credit, valued at $15.3 million, and $18.5 million in tax-exempt bonds to build 104 new units of workforce housing in Scarboro and to renovate 58 public housing units across the city on Apple Lane, Wade Lane, Knoll Lane and Honeysuckle Lane.

Another 9 percent tax credit award, valued at $18 million, will help renovate 70 units spread across four sites on LaSalle Road, Irene Lane, Van Hicks Road and Joel Lane. Having the sites scattered across the city reflects thoughtful public policy by the city to help create mixed income neighborhoods, preventing concentration of poverty in one location, Catron said.

“The work being done by Oak Ridge Housing Authority will transform and improve the city’s public housing, as well as provide much-needed affordable housing for low-income families and individuals,” said Ralph Perrey, THDA Executive Director. “THDA supports projects like this through our Affordable Housing Credits to help offset the costs of construction and ensure that affordable housing can be built that will make a positive impact on the communities where they are located.”

The redevelopment of these properties is a critical component of the city-wide master-planned “City Blueprint Plan,” adopted by Oak Ridge City Council in 2019, according to Richelle Patton, Collaborative Housing Solutions President. The Blueprint’s goals and action strategies focus on a cross-sector approach to improve the quality of life in the city, as well as to position itself for future population growth.

Among the Blueprint’s goals is developing strategies to restore the heritage of Legacy neighborhoods, and the new construction in Scarboro recognizes that community’s history as a segregated Black community during the 1940s in Oak Ridge and its place in history as sending the first 85 students from Scarboro School to integrate Oak Ridge schools in 1955, a first for the southeastern states.
ORHA worked collaboratively with Scarboro residents in planning the new rental units there.

The Blueprint’s goals also include expanding housing options by adding high-quality purchase and rental units attractive to young families and new hires, which the ORHA’s plans support. The Scarboro site will include 8 to 10 homeownership units.

Besides the tax credits, another change that makes the renovation of the 128 existing rental units feasible and affordable is a Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) grant program that allows housing authorities to address deferred maintenance and much needed improvements in public housing, according to Catron. The grant, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, allows housing authorities to borrow money for repairs, rather than depending upon allocations from Congress.

“These buildings, built in the 1970s or early 1980s, have not had a substantial rehab in more than 50 years. We are looking at $75,000 to $85,000 per unit in rehab costs, which will include new kitchens, new baths, new appliances, new flooring, new HVAC units, new windows and façade improvements,” Catron said of the buildings where the 128 rental units are located.

“This public-private partnership allows us to not only address current needs, but also position ourselves to be able to address future needs in the housing market,” she said. The RAD program opens the developments to private partners who will invest in the tax credits and bonds.

The RAD program allows housing authorities to take over ownership of its rental units from HUD and, like private landlords, have the ability to take out loans and make repairs. With units under HUD ownership, rather than local ownership, the housing authority did not have the ability to get loans. The RAD program now treats housing authorities like private landlords, with HUD providing funding under the project-based Section 8 program.

Construction on the developments is expected to begin in early 2025. The new Scarboro units are expected to be completed by mid-2026 and occupied before the end of that year.

The Oak Ridge Housing Authority manages public housing units and aims to provide quality, affordable housing and foster self-sufficiency in the community.

The Tennessee Housing Development Agency is the state’s housing finance agency, promoting the production of more affordable new housing units and preservation and rehabilitation of existing housing units for very low-income, low-income and moderate-income individuals and families in the state.

Collaborative Housing Solutions is an Atlanta-based development firm specializing in creative problem solving to develop affordable rental housing.

Availability of the draft environmental assessment for off-site depleted uranium manufacturing (DOE/EA-2252)

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for Off-Site Depleted Uranium Manufacturing, which analyzes the potential impacts associated with depleted uranium manufacturing at facilities located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and Jonesborough, Tennessee.

NNSA invites the public to review and submit comments on the Draft EA. Copies of the document are available for public review on the NNSA NEPA web page (https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/nnsa-nepa-reading-room) and/or the DOE NEPA web page (https://www.energy.gov/nepa/public-comment-opportunities).

NNSA is providing an approximately 30-day comment period on the Draft EA and public comments should be submitted no later than August 30, 2024. Written comments may be mailed to NNSA NEPA Document Manager, Attn: DU Draft EA, P.O. Box 2050, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 or submitted by email to NEPA.Comments@npo.doe.gov. Comments will not be accepted over the telephone.

County law director dies at 65

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Jay Yeager

Anderson County Law Director Nicholas “Jay” Yeager, of Clinton, died Friday. He was 65.

Yeager was assistant attorney in Anderson County from 2001 to 2006, and he has been law director since then.

“Mr. Yeager was known for his unwavering commitment to his profession and Anderson County government, having joined Anderson County nearly 23 years ago, on October 29, 2001,” officials said in a statement from Anderson County Commission Chair Tyler Mayes, Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, and Anderson County Commission. “His expertise and leadership significantly contributed to our community. He was a constant presence at meetings, active in the operations of government, and his legacy will be felt for years to come.

“His contributions extended beyond his professional role; he was a mentor, a colleague, and a friend to many. In his committed dedication to his work, he built relationships that he held for a lifetime.”

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Speakers to Discuss National Labor Relations Board at Democratic Women’s Club Meeting

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Guest speakers Derek Guy and James Taylor will discuss the National Labor Relations Board and its impact on organized labor and management at the Monday, July 29, meeting of the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club.

The meeting, from 5:30-7 p.m., will be at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 270 hall, 138 N. Lincoln Circle, Oak Ridge.

The NLRB is an independent federal agency that protects workers’ rights to organize and bargain collectively. The board also acts to prevent and remedy unfair labor practices committed by private sector employers and unions, as well as conducts secret-ballot elections regarding union representation. The speakers will discuss how the climate at the NLRB has changed under the new chairperson appointed during the Biden administration, Lauren McFerran.

Guy is a Union Organizer for IBEW Local 270 who is familiar with local labor unions and knows first-hand the pivotal role unions play in today’s labor environment. He recently participated in a labor delegation meeting with President Biden in Washington, D.C. He and his wife Regina, also a member of IBEW Local 270, have three children and are active volunteers in the Oak Ridge community.

Taylor, a partner in the Atlanta law firm Martenson-Hasbrook & Simon, LLP, has a practice focused on affirmative action compliance and regulatory issues, with experience related to federal contractors across the U.S. and with state and municipal affirmative action cases. He has extensive knowledge on regulatory practices of the NLRB and will share insights on the federal agency.

The meeting will begin with a potluck dinner featuring salads and desserts. For more information, email the Democratic Women’s Club at
ac-democratic-women@outlook.com.
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Tennis court dances recreate wartime event

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Photo courtesy Manhattan Project National Historical Park

Monthly dances by the Manhattan Project National Historical Park recreate the open-air tennis court dances that entertained 75,000 workers and their families in the Secret City during World War II.

“Put on your dancing shoes, another summer of tennis court dances are kicking off on the Jackson Square tennis courts,” a press release said.

The all-ages dances are scheduled monthly on the third Thursday.

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County wants to improve access to government services

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Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank is asking residents for help improving physical and electronic access to county government facilities and services.

A kickoff meeting for the “Access Anderson County Initiative” is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday, August 1, in Room 118A of the Anderson County Courthouse at 100 North Main Street in Clinton.

“Clear and effective government signage, as well as website navigation, can help county government facilities and departments communicate effectively with citizens, as well as improve safety,” a press release said. “It can also help provide citizens with the information they need to access government and resources.”

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Oak Ridge Philharmonia presents two free concerts in August

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The Oak Ridge Philharmonia will present two free POPS concerts in August in Oak Ridge and Knoxville.

“We hope you can join us for a generous portion of very enjoyable and inspiring music,” a press release said.

Musical performances will include:

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Learn about Oak Ridge history during World War II

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Photo courtesy Manhattan Project National Historical Park

You can learn more about the history of Oak Ridge during World War II during a free national park walk through Jackson Square on Thursday, July 18.

The walk is offered by the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, which includes Oak Ridge.

The program is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. July 18, at the fountain in the main parking lot in Jackson Square.

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Candidate forums this week

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There are two forums this week in Oak Ridge featuring candidates in the Tennessee primary election and Anderson County and Roane County general elections in August.

The forums have been organized by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge, and the public is invited.

Early voting begins in both counties on Friday, July 12.

The Anderson County forum is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 9. It will take place at the Oak Ridge Campus of Roane State Community College in Room 107 in the Goff Building.

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