Oak Ridge Today

Willow Brook Elementary receives grant from author James Patterson, Scholastic Reading Club for school library

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Willow Brook Elementary

Willow Brook Elementary School is pictured above in May 2012. (File photo)

Willow Brook Elementary School has received a grant from bestselling author James Patterson to support its school library. In addition, Scholastic Reading Club will match each dollar of Patterson’s donation with “bonus points” that teachers can use to acquire books and other materials for their classrooms.

Willow Brook was selected from among thousands of applications for funding grants. To learn more, listen to Patterson’s exclusive interview about the critical need for school libraries on the “Scholastic Reads” podcast.

Patterson and Scholastic Reading Club announced in March that Patterson would donate $1.75 million to save school libraries nationwide in the second installment of his School Library Campaign. As part of an ongoing effort to keep books and reading a number one priority in the United States, selected school libraries will be receiving grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. Since the grant program’s launch in 2015, Patterson has donated $3.5 million to school libraries nationwide, with all funds are being personally donated by Patterson. [Read more…]

Senior Center Holiday Reception to be held at Oak Ridge Civic Center Gymnasium

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The Senior Center Holiday Reception is pictured above in 2014. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

 

The Oak Ridge Senior Center is having a Holiday Reception for area senior citizens on Friday, December 9. This year, the party will be held in the Oak Ridge Civic Center’s gymnasium located at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

“Come join us between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. for a light lunch of sandwiches, chips, and cookies, as well as holiday music and fellowship,” a press release said. “The Senior Center guitar group will be playing live Christmas music. Bingo will be offered and door prizes given away. Goodie bags will also be given out while they last.” [Read more…]

Join in the fun at Jackson Square Holiday Market, Santa event

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Come and enjoy a diverse holiday experience at Jackson Square and explore unique gifts created by regional crafters and artisans, fun activities for kids, food, visits with Santa, and much more. It all takes place on Saturday, December 3, beginning with a Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sponsored by the Jackson Square Association and United Way of Anderson County, the Holiday Market will fill Jackson Square with tables of handmade crafts, artisans’ wares, and vintage goodies to help one find those specials gifts for those on one’s holiday gift giving list. Several Jackson Square businesses will also be open to offer their unique items for sale.

Oak Ridge’s youth will be in action throughout the day, providing music by performing in various choral groups, the Oak Ridge High School Brass Quintet, and other music offerings. [Read more…]

First Christian Church donates to ADFAC to remember Jenkins, honor Herbes

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Pictured above are Annie Cacheiro, ADFAC executive director, and Tom Row of the First Christian Church Witness Ministry Team. (Submitted photo)

Pictured above are Annie Cacheiro, ADFAC executive director, and Tom Row of the First Christian Church Witness Ministry Team. (Submitted photo)

 

The Witness Ministry Team of First Christian Church recently made a $1,000 donation to ADFAC (Aid To Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties Inc.), a press release said. Barbara Wilson, Witness Ministry Team chairperson noted in the presentation that this donation is in memory of Judy Jenkins and in honor of Elizabeth Herbes, long time ADFAC staff member.

Before Jenkins died, she gave a generous donation to the Witness Ministry Team at First Christian Church, giving them authority to distribute her gift as part of their outreach ministry in the community, the press release said.

According to Witness Team members Tom and Pat Row, “we are so excited to be able to give this donation to honor Liz Herbes because she has dedicated her life to helping those in need with concern and support.” [Read more…]

Audition for Roane State’s spring production of Lionel Bart’s ‘Oliver!’

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The Roane State Community College music and theatre arts departments are holding auditions for parts in Lionel Bart’s “Oliver!”

Auditions are scheduled at the college’s Oak Ridge and Roane County campuses: [Read more…]

ORNL wins seven R&D 100 Awards

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A close-up look at the Open Port Sampling Interfaces for Mass Spectrometry, one of ORNL’s seven 2016 R&D 100 Award winners. (Image by ORNL)

 

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have received seven R&D 100 Awards in recognition of their significant advancements in science and technology. The honorees were recognized on November 3 at the 54th annual R&D 100 Conference, which was sponsored by R&D Magazine.

The awards, known as the “Oscars of Invention,” honor innovative breakthroughs in materials science, biomedicine, consumer products, and more from academia, industry, and government-sponsored research agencies.

This year’s seven honors bring ORNL’s total of R&D 100 awards to 200 since their inception in 1963, a press release said.

ORNL researchers were recognized for the following innovations: [Read more…]

Presentation will focus on TVA’s plan to close Bull Run ash ponds

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Amanda Garcia

Amanda Garcia

A Tuesday presentation will focus on the Tennessee Valley Authority’s plan to close ash ponds at the Bull Run Fossil Plant in Claxton, a press release said.

Amanda Garcia of the Southern Environmental Law Center will discuss closing ash ponds at Bull Run, the pollution and risk involved in closing the ash ponds, and the role of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation in reviewing TVA’s plans and addressing pollution at Bull Run and other sites, the press release said. There will be opportunities for the public to weigh in, the release said.

The presentation is sponsored by Advocates for the Oak Ridge Reservation and Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning. It is free and open to the public. It starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 29, in the Oak Ridge Civic Center Craft Room. [Read more…]

Community invited to ‘Messiah Sing-a-Long’ events

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Members of the community who love to sing are encouraged to come and be part of the chorus at the sixth annual “Messiah Sing-a-Long.” It will be held at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, December 4, at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

It will also be held on Saturday, December 3, at 7 p.m. at the Norris United Methodist Church located in Norris at 62 Ridgeway Road. Music lovers are invited to either free performance, a press release said.

Both performances will be presented by the Tri-County Community Orchestra and Chorus under the direction of Sandy Wells. Members of the choir will sing the arias, and audience members will be invited to join the choir in singing the chorus parts from portions of Handel’s “Messiah,” the classic most associated with the Christmas season. Music will be provided for early-arriving audience members who wish to sing. [Read more…]

Anderson County Underage Drinking Task Force to present Town Hall, free movie on Nov. 30

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The Anderson County Underage Drinking Task Force will be presenting a Town Hall meeting on November 30 at the Ritz Theater in Clinton. The Town Hall is scheduled to start at 6 p.m., a press release said.

It will be an open discussion of underage drinking, and it will be open to all adults in the community as well as middle and high school students who must be accompanied by their parents, guardians, and other adults, the press release said.

There will be a panel discussion formed around underage drinking in Anderson County including information on what resources are available for parents, what support is available for students, and a discussion of AWARE Anderson County, the press release said. [Read more…]

Reminder: Oak Ridge Community Thanksgiving Dinner is Thursday

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Reminder: The Oak Ridge Community Thanksgiving Dinner is Thursday.

The dinner is scheduled from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, November 24, at High Places Community Church/Grove Theater at 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge.

You can learn more by visiting OakRidgeCommunityThanksgiving.com or Facebook.com/OakRidgeCommunityThanksgiving, or by sending an email to OakRidgeCommunityThanksgiving@gmail.com.
[Read more…]

CNS small business contracting makes big jump in FY 2016

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The sign at the Scarboro Road entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on December 16, 2014. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC achieved a significant increase in contracting with small businesses during fiscal year 2016, eclipsing its small business contracting goals and awarding more than $276 million at the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, and Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge.

The small business dollars awarded represented an increase of more than $36 million over fiscal year 2015 figures, and were 67 percent of all funding awarded, exceeding CNS’ fiscal year 2016 goal of awarding 55 percent of all procurement dollars, a press release said.

CNS uses small businesses in a range of diverse roles, from staff augmentation services to construction support work, the press release said. [Read more…]

New Winter Farmers Market opens in Oak Ridge on Dec. 3

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The new Winter Farmers Market in Oak Ridge opens Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the gym at St. Mary’s School, December through February.

 

From hand-roasted coffee to hydroponically raised tilapia, the new Winter Farmers Market, by Grow Oak Ridge LLC, is offering a brand new experience in Oak Ridge.

The market opens Saturday, December 3, bringing more than 40 local food and artisan vendors indoors for the first time ever in the Secret City. The market will be located in the gym at St. Mary’s School gym, which is at 323 Vermont Avenue in Oak Ridge. It is open every Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., December through February (closed December 24 and 31).

“I started planning this market last winter, when I realized several farmers come all winter long and stand out in the cold in Jackson Square,” said Rebecca Williams, founder of Grow Oak Ridge LLC and director of the market. “I asked them if they’d rather keep warm, and they said yes! The mission of Grow Oak Ridge is to support the local food system, be an incubator for small businesses, and create a community gathering spot in Oak Ridge.” [Read more…]