Oak Ridge Today

Kerr, Clinton High football coach, resigns after six years

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Information from WYSH Radio

Clinton High School football coach Josh Kerr has resigned after six years on the Dragons’ sideline.

Kerr took over in 2011 and led the Dragons to back-to-back playoff appearances in 2014 and 2015, but he saw the team finish 1-9 this past season. Kerr’s record as Clinton’s coach was 18-44. Kerr informed his players of his departure Friday afternoon.

On Monday, Kerr talked a little about his decision to step down, citing the fact that he has two young daughters and a son on the way in the spring. He said he wants to take a step back and spend a little more time being a father. He plans to continue coaching but indicated he is not interested in being a head coach at this time. [Read more…]

Christmas Tree Lighting is Dec. 2 in A.K. Bissell Park

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The Oak Ridge Woman’s Club and the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will sponsor the annual Christmas tree lighting and reception on Dec. 2, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Woman’s Club and the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will sponsor the annual Christmas tree lighting and reception at 6:30 p.m. December 2.

Participants should gather at the Secret City Commemorative Walk on the east side of the Oak Ridge Public Library parking lot for a brief ceremony, a press release said. A reception with seasonal music and entertainment will be held in the Oak Ridge Civic Center gymnasium immediately following the tree lighting. Light refreshments will be served.

Visit the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks website at orrecparks.org for information about other city events and programs.

Clinton Christmas Parade is Dec. 17

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Clinton Christmas Parade First Place

A float by Second Baptist Church featuring a large sleigh and reindeer won first place in the Dec. 1, 2012, Christmas parade in Clinton. (File photo courtesy of Janet Hawkins)

 

Deadline to register is Dec. 12 

Clinton’s traditional Christmas Parade of bands, floats, and many other processional entries will begin at 6 p.m. December 17, a press release said. This year’s theme is “Once Upon A Christmas.”

Businesses, churches, schools, and other marching groups are encouraged to register and participate in the parade. There is no parade entry fee this year. The deadline to register is 4:30 p.m. Monday, December 12. There will be no late entries, the press release said.

Entry forms may be picked up at the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce office located at 245 North Main Street, Suite 200, in Clinton. You can also receive a form by mail, fax, or email by calling the Chamber at (865) 457-2559. You may also obtain a registration form and instructions at www.andersoncountychamber.org. [Read more…]

Astronomy club meeting Wednesday features ORNL engineer, citizen science, radio astronomy

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Bogdan Vacaliuc

Bogdan Vacaliuc

 

The Wednesday meeting of ORION, an amateur science and astronomy club based in Oak Ridge, will feature Bogdan Vacaliuc of Oak Ridge National Laboratory and a discussion of citizen science and radio astronomy.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 16, at the historic Grove Theater at 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge.

ORION was founded in April 1974 by a group of scientists at the United States Department of Energy facility in Oak Ridge. Its purpose is to promote learning and inquiry throughout the cities of Oak Ridge and Knoxville, and the counties of Anderson, Knox, and Roane, a press release said.

The group meets monthly at the Grove Theater at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month, starting with coffee and conversation with the program beginning 15 minutes thereafter. For directions, please visit the website at www.orioninc.org. Programs are free and open to the public. [Read more…]

MORE2, a home energy efficiency program, raises income qualifications, has public meeting Tuesday

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MORE2 Logo

MORE2, the energy efficiency program that makes free upgrades to qualifying homes, has significantly raised its income qualifications, effective immediately, a press release said.

“If you make $122,670 or below, you may be eligible for upgrades,” the press release said.

Call (865) 375-4656 or visit MakeOREE.com to see if you qualify.

If you want to learn more about how to reduce energy usage in your home and apply for MORE2 help, you can attend this public meeting: [Read more…]

Business launched by Roane State staff member earns national recognition

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Melissa Kreis-Stephens

Melissa Kreis-Stephens

 

By Bob Fowler

Roane State staff member Melissa Kreis-Stephens homegrown business has become an overnight success, and it’s only taken 15 years.

Kreis-Stephens, an avid outdoorswoman, is the college’s math and science lab supervisor. She’s also the owner of a suddenly thriving business of organic lotions, balms, and salves that has won a national award titled the Golden Innovator.

Kreis-Stephens’ business is Tomboy Organic Skincare Co., and she’ll be accepting the national Best Brand award for organic salves and skin care from American Choice Awards during a February ceremony in New York City.

Her all-natural creations were judged as tops in the category. In all, American consumers judged 1,500 brands across 190 categories. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Civic Ballet presents ‘The Nutcracker’ next weekend

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The Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association will present “The Nutcracker” next weekend, November 19 and 20, 2016. (Photo by ORCBA)

The Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association will present Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” next weekend, November 19 and 20. The performances will be at the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center.

Directed by Molly Koon Quist, “The Nutcracker” offers artistic entertainment for family members of all ages, a press release said. The feature shows will include the added value of the University of Tennessee Chamber Orchestra and Farragut High School Advanced Chorus, a press release said.

“We are thrilled to showcase our talented dancers in such a classic ballet for the Oak Ridge community,” said Christy Rickman, president of ORCBA.

Courtney Walker and Fancisco Aguilar of the Georgia Ballet as well as Grant Howard as the Russian Soloist will join the talented cast from East Tennessee. Frank Murphy of Classic Hits 93.1 will also make a guest appearance, the press release said. [Read more…]

Pilot Club of Oak Ridge has Arts and Craft Fair on Nov. 18-19

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John Orban making a bowl on the lathe. (Submitted photo)

 

The Pilot Club’s annual Arts and Crafts Fair is scheduled for next weekend. The fair is from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, November 18, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, November 19, at the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

The craft fair will include 84 booths, with a variety of arts and crafts such as silk and burlap wreaths, jewelry, scarfs, handbags, glass etching, crocheted items, repurposed furniture, stained glass, wind chimes, personalized polymer clay ornaments, lotions, scrubs, sand art, wooden jigsaw puzzles, wood chimes, Christmas crafts…and the list goes on and on, a press release said.

There will also be food for sale from the kitchen and a table of homemade baked items. Admission is free. [Read more…]

Davis named ORAU director of government relations

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Joe Davis

Joe Davis

 

Joe Davis, former senior vice president with Artemis Strategies, has been named ORAU director of government relations.

Davis is a government and public affairs professional who has 25 years of policy experience at the corporate, federal, and congressional levels, a press release said.

In his new role, Davis will lead ORAU’s governmental and public affairs outreach with the U.S. Congress, various government agencies, and other stakeholders, the release said.

“We’re excited to have Joe join our team in this leadership role,” said ORAU President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Page. “His public policy expertise will help our organization navigate the policy, political, and business environments at the federal level.” [Read more…]

Children’s Museum to celebrate national parks at gala in December

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Martha Hart of Karen’s Jewelers, left, with Lee McGetrick and Mike Morris, all members of the Children’s Museum Gala Committee, display a National Park poster for the Gala, which will celebrate the National Park Service Centennial. (Submitted photo)

 

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Park Service at its annual Gala Evening, a benefit for the museum on Friday, December 2.

“Tribute to the National Parks—A Centennial Celebration” will feature National Park trivia and prizes, National Park-inspired cuisine by Rosa’s Catering, music from the Oak Ridge High School Choral Ensemble, an exhibition of children’s photographs from the parks, and a surprise for Gala attendees.

The Gala will be an official National Park Service Centennial Event. In honor of that designation, the museum will offer free admission Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, inviting the public to view the “Parks-in-Focus” National Parks photography exhibit in the Imagination Gallery. Photos of area parks taken by girls from Girls Inc. of Oak Ridge will be shown in the exhibit.

Guests are invited to come dressed to represent a favorite National Park or in semi-formal attire to the Gala, to be held from 5:30-9:30 p.m. December 2 at the museum, which is at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Roane State Shooting Sports Team places second at nationals

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The Roane State Shooting Sports Team places second nationally at the Scholarship Clay Target Program (SCTP) National College Championships. From left are Nathan Hembree, Nathan Wattenbarger, Ty McCaskey, Madeline Kittrell, Assistant Coach Kevin Hembree, Head Coach Kenneth Carey, Assistant Coach James Wattenbarger, Lauren Sanders, Andy Carey, Andrew Smith, and Codey Dean. (Submitted photo)

 

By Bob Fowler

CROSSVILLE—These marksmen—and women—are among the nation’s best.

The eight-member Roane State Community College Shooting Sports Team was on target for runner-up high overall national champion team, along with two national runner-up wins and a third place finish in the Scholarship Clay Target Program (SCTP) National College Championships.

“We’re very proud of the team and their accomplishments,” volunteer head coach Kenneth Carey said of the squad’s achievements in the SCTP competitions, held October 28-30 in Marengo, Ohio. “They have an excellent work ethic. Their practice and ability and skill proved to be a force nationally.”

Some 271 athletes representing teams from 16 states participated. The Raiders are in the Division 3 category—squads with 10 members or less. That division was “by far the most competitive,” Carey said, because 14 teams were involved.

Roane State’s Raiders competed against teams from the University of Alabama, Arizona State, and Florida State, among others. [Read more…]

Borchers to give update on ‘State of Oak Ridge Schools’ at Tuesday lunch

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Bruce Borchers

Bruce Borchers

Bruce Borchers, Oak Ridge Schools superintendent, will give an update on the “State of Oak Ridge Schools” during a Tuesday lunch.

The update is expected to include information on Access Oak Ridge, a program that provides convertible laptops for students; successes; and new and upcoming programs and initiatives.

The update is scheduled from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, November 15, Lunch with the League at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, which is at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]