Oak Ridge Today

Saturday concert features Suchon Wind Quintet, pianist Otaki

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Suchon Wind Quintet

Suchon Wind Quintet

The Oak Ridge Civic Music Association’s Chamber Series continues Saturday with the initial U.S. appearance of one of the Slovak Republic’s premier chamber groups, the Suchon Wind Quintet, and pianist Michiko Otaki. The concert will be at 7:30 pm Saturday, February 21, in the ORAU Pollard Auditorium.

The group’s namesake, Eugen Suchoň, is one of the major classical composers of the 20th century, and his work made a significant contribution to the crystallization of Slovak national music. The Quintet had taken part in numerous European and international music festivals. [Read more…]

Taste of Ireland to feature Irish food, drink, music, dancing

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Shamrock Road

Shamrock Road

 

A Taste of Ireland on Saturday, February 28, will feature Irish food, drink, music, dancing, and a silent auction.

It’s hosted by the Ulster Project of East Tennessee. It’s scheduled from 6-10 p.m. February 28 at St. Mary’s Family Life Center in Oak Ridge. The center is at 327 Vermont Avenue.

The pubs will open at 6 p.m., the buffet is scheduled from 6:30-8:30 p.m., and Shamrock Road will play music from 8-10 p.m.

The Ulster Project was started in 1975 as a way for Northern Irish and U.S. Catholic and Protestant teens to be involved in a project that allowed for opportunities to learn of the similarities and differences between their religious affiliations, as opposed to the prejudices, a press release said. [Read more…]

Waste Connections to resume normal schedule Monday, Feb. 23

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The normal schedule for trash and recycling pickup in Oak Ridge has been affected by the winter storm this week and continually changing weather conditions, and regular collection is expected to resume on Monday.

“We are working diligently to service as many streets as quickly as possible but we always place the safety of the public and our employees first,” a City of Oak Ridge press release said.

Some residents might not have had their trash or recycling picked up this week. [Read more…]

Friday: OR Schools closed; AC Courthouse, Y-12 open at 8

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Note: This story was updated at 10:02 p.m.

Oak Ridge Schools will be closed Friday, and the Anderson County Courthouse and Y-12 National Security Complex will open at 8 a.m.

The offices of the Anderson County Clerk and Trustee will not open until 10 a.m.

“County officials still urge that Anderson County citizens stay safe and use extreme caution if citizens must be out and about,” a statement said. “County officials will continue monitoring the weather, and if it worsens earlier than anticipated on Friday, the Courthouse and other county government offices will be closed early.” [Read more…]

Habitat to dedicate home built in honor of Myricks on Feb. 28

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Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County

The Cook-Brown family is pictured above with Tim and Teresa Myrick at right. 

 

Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County: The House That Love Built is complete!

Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County will dedicate a house built in Heiskell in honor of Tim and Teresa Myrick on Saturday, February 28.

The dedication service will start at 10:15 a.m. February 28 at Wolf Valley Baptist Church, which is at 1031 East Wolf Valley Road in Heiskell. The house is located just three blocks from the church at 119 Valley View Lane and will be open for touring from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Honorary Committee, Board of Directors, and staff of HFHAC invite the public to join in this very special celebration.

The Cook-Brown Family will be moving in shortly. Eddie, Amanda, and their three children will  have a four-bedroom, two-bath home to call their own. They have been working diligently to complete their 400 hours of sweat equity and have paid their down payment. Home ownership is no longer a dream, but a reality for them. [Read more…]

CASA’s Barbeque and Bluegrass Bash is Saturday

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Ridge City Ramblers

The Ridge City Ramblers are pictured above. (File photo/submitted)

 

Submitted

CASA of the Tennessee Heartland’s 12th Annual Barbeque and Bluegrass Bash is this Saturday. After all the snow and crazy weather, it’s time to get out of the house and have some fun!

Once again, the Ridge City Ramblers will be pickin’ and singin’ through the night, a delicious barbeque buffet will be provided, and the night will hold lots of entertainment. The event moves this year to an exciting new venue—205 Main (previously the Ray Viles Ford Building in Clinton).

A full barbeque buffet dinner (including pulled pork, grilled chicken, salad, mac and cheese, and baked beans—vegetarian option available) will be provided along with desserts, wine and beer bar, and moonshine tastings. Silent and live auctions include vacation packages, Raku Pottery from Bill Capshaw, fine jewelry, and many more exciting baskets and packages. [Read more…]

Church Women United seeks support in Blankets+ Campaign

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CWU 2015 Blankets+ Campaign

Church Women United participants Fay Martin (from left), Gay Marie Logsdon, Clara Chambles, Carolyn Mayes, Goldie Kennedy, and Laura Robbins encourage individuals, organizations, and churches to collect blankets and donations in support of the 2015 Blankets+ Campaign. (Submitted photo)

 

Church Women United in Oak Ridge invites area individuals, organizations, and church groups to join its spring 2015 Blankets+ Campaign benefiting disaster victims locally and worldwide. People are asked to support the campaign in two ways: by collecting bedding for Ecumenical Storehouse in Oak Ridge and by collecting cash donations for CWU to send to the Blankets+ Program managed by Church World Services.

Ecumenical Storehouse serves displaced individuals and families from Anderson, Campbell, Morgan, Roane, and Scott counties who have lost their homes because of fire, flood, or other emergencies and have been referred to the storehouse for support in setting up a new household. The storehouse offers basics such as bedding, towels, dishes, and furniture regardless of the client’s color, race, faith, gender, or handicap. Ecumenical Storehouse is located at 134 East Division Road in Oak Ridge and can be contacted at (865) 481-0274. [Read more…]

Updated: Thursday closings—schools, Y-12, Roane State, AC Courthouse

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Oak Ridge Turnpike and Bus Terminal Road Snow on Feb. 18, 2015

Schools and many offices remained closed Thursday after a icy winter storm on Monday followed by this snow on Wednesday morning.

 

Note: This story was updated at 10:21 a.m. Feb. 19.

The temperature the next few days is expected to be brutally cold, and schools and some government offices and contractors have announced they’ll be closed Thursday, or for the rest of the week, because of the weather and road conditions.

Schools in Oak Ridge, Anderson County, Clinton, and Roane County will all be closed Thursday. Roane State Community College will also be closed.

Schools in Clinton and Anderson and Roane counties will also be closed Friday. The Central Office in Anderson County will be closed for the rest of the week, and the Central Office in Roane County will not report Thursday. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge, Red Cross, others prepare to provide shelter for those without power

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City of Oak Ridge Seal

The snow may be over for this week, but the coldest days are yet to come. The Oak Ridge Fire Department will coordinate with the local Red Cross office and other organizations to provide shelter for those who lose power.

The National Weather Service has forecast temperatures in the teens to possibly as much as 10 below zero over the next 48 to 72 hours.

“Residents are encouraged to use extreme caution if you must go outside,” the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release. “Dress in layers and minimize your exposure to the cold temperatures. Also, bring your pets inside.”

The Oak Ridge Fire Department reminded citizens to follow the manufacturer’s instructions if you are using portable heaters to heat your home or apartment. [Read more…]

Travel still discouraged; no serious accidents reported in Anderson

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Icy Roads in Oliver Springs

Roads remained ice-covered in Oak Ridge on Tuesday, and there was little traffic as officials urged people to not drive unless absolutely necessary. Here is a picture taken Monday of State Route 62, also known as North Illinois Avenue or East Tri County Boulevard, headed into Oliver Springs from Oak Ridge. (Photo by Marilyn Cook-Wynn)

 

Information from WYSH Radio

With ice on the roadways and temperatures not expected to get above freezing for the next couple of days, travel is still not advised.

Last night across Anderson County, no serious accidents were reported, and officials said that was due in part to people heeding their warnings to stay off the roads.

But some people may have no choice but to drive somewhere today. For those people, Clinton Police Rick Scarbrough had this piece of advice: “Drive with caution. Don’t get overconfident because just around the corner could be a solid sheet of ice. If you do have to be out, we understand, but try to avoid getting out if at all possible.” [Read more…]

Closings: City Hall, ORAU, Chamber, OSTI, DOE-ORO, Y-12; no trash pickup

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Note: This story was last updated at 11:39 a.m.

Here are more closings announced for Tuesday, as well as a few that were announced previously. Some previous announcements have been revised, mostly changing from a late opening to a closing.

The City of Oak Ridge offices will be closed today, Tuesday, February 17, due to icy roads. The Oak Ridge City Council work session scheduled for tonight has also be canceled and will be rescheduled for a later date.

Waste Connections will not be conducting trash pick up today and will be on a one-day delay.

The U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Office (the Federal Building) and DOE’s Office of Scientific and Technical Information will be closed due to hazardous weather conditions. Employees with situational telework agreements in place are expected to telework. [Read more…]

Updated: Lunch with League—Law and order in Anderson County

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Dave Clark

Dave Clark

Tom Marshall

Tom Marshall

Note: This Lunch with the League has been canceled due to weather.

Anderson County District Attorney Dave Clark and Public Defender Tom Marshall will be the guest speakers at Lunch with the League on Tuesday, February 17. The program will be held at noon in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

There won’t be defendants, witnesses, or a jury but the prosecutor—Dave Clark—and the defender—Tom Marshall—will discuss the current status of the Anderson County criminal justice system.

The Seventh Judicial District encompasses all of Anderson County. The district attorney is responsible for the prosecution of all criminal cases on behalf of the citizens of the state. The public defender’s office represents individuals accused of crimes who cannot afford a lawyer. Both the district attorney and public defender are elected for eight-year terms. [Read more…]