Oak Ridge Today

Moore named AMSE director

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David Moore

David Moore (Photo courtesy ORNL)

David Moore has been named director of the American Museum of Science and Energy. The museum, owned by the U.S. Department of Energy, showcases the history of the Manhattan Project and the current scientific, energy, and national security missions carried out by DOE facilities in Oak Ridge.

Moore will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the museum at 300 South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge, including exhibits, programs, and community outreach. He has 40 years of experience in public affairs, fundraising, higher education, and museum operations, most recently as president and chief executive officer of the Yanks Air Museum Foundation in California, a press release said.

“The Oak Ridge story is one of the most compelling in the world,” Moore said. “I look forward to helping the Oak Ridge community promote both its history and the fascinating and important work conducted here today.”

Moore joined Oak Ridge National Laboratory in April as a consultant and assumed director’s duties on July 1. ORNL operates AMSE for DOE. [Read more…]

Outdoor pool operating on holiday schedule on July 4

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Oak Ridge Outdoor Swimming Pool

Hundreds of swimmers enjoy the Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Providence Road on Memorial Day 2012. (File photo)

The Oak Ridge Municipal Swimming Pool will operate on its holiday schedule on Friday, July 4. The outdoor pool will open at 10 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

The day is Fun Day at the pool as the lifeguards will conduct different activities starting at 2 p.m. for patrons to participate in fun events, balloon toss, intertube relays, etc.

Admission is $2 for children ages 3 to 12 and people 65 and older, $3 for ages 13-17, and $3.75 for adults. Children under 12 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult during public hours at the outdoor pool.

The city’s indoor pool and Oak Ridge Civic Center will be closed on July 4.

Please visit the website at www.orrecparks.org for information on all of the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department programs.

July events in Anderson County

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Information from Anderson County Tourism Council

July 4 Celebration and Anvil Shoot

July 4 at Museum of Appalachia

July 4 will be celebrated in an unusual, dramatic, and traditional fashion at the Museum of Appalachia with historic anvil shoots. In addition, there will be demonstrations of mountain arts and crafts. Bluegrass, old time, and folk music will be played and sung on the porches of the cabins and in the old log church, hymn singing, and church services will be conducted. The demonstrations and music can be found throughout the 65-acre farm/village complex. For more information, contact the Museum of Appalachia at (865) 494-7680 or visit www.museumofappalachia.org.

46th Annual Norris Day July 4 Celebration

July 4 on the Norris Commons

The Norris Lions Club brings you the 46th Annual Norris Day celebration in downtown Norris. Running enthusiasts can begin the day with the Firecracker Road Run. Later, the children’s Dog Show will be held on the Norris Commons, followed by the one-mile Fun Run. No one will want to miss the children’s Wheel Race, the Bicycle Parade, the Water Balloon Toss, or the Water-Ball Battles. There will be sack races and duck races, too. One of the highlights of Norris Day is the wonderful barbecue dinner—barbecue pork and chicken with all the sides served by the Norris Lions Club in the Norris Middle School cafeteria from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. For more information, call (865) 368-4884. [Read more…]

AARP driver’s safety classes offered at Oak Ridge Senior Center

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The Oak Ridge Senior Center will be offering the AARP Smart Driver Driver’s Safety Program in July and August. This program can help make drivers safer and more aware and may help lead to a discount on auto insurance premiums, a press release said.

The cost for the class is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. The July class will be held on Saturday, July 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This all-day class is open to anyone 50 and over but could be especially helpful to those seniors who are still working Monday to Friday.

The August class will be held on August 6 and 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each day. To register for either class, call the Senior Center at (865)-425-3999. Space is limited so reserve your spot soon, the release said.

For more information about this and other programs and activities at the Oak Ridge Senior Center, call (865)425-3999 or visit the website at orrecparks.org.

Food Lion foundation donates $2,000 to ADFAC

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The Food Lion Charitable Foundation has donated $2,000 to Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC, a press release said.

The donation comes just in time to help feed local residents this summer, the press release said. ADFAC will use the gift to provide vouchers for fresh food for local families experiencing economic hardship.

“We are thrilled to receive this contribution,” said Liz Herbes, director of ADFAC’s Social Services program. “It will provide much-needed relief from hunger for dozens of our less fortunate neighbors.”

ADFAC, an independent nonprofit agency established in 1987, exists to serve the basic needs of primarily low-income residents in Anderson and surrounding Appalachian counties. ADFAC’s goal is to help families become stable and self-sufficient through a variety of direct assistance services provided by our Social Services and Affordable Housing programs. ADFAC answers more than 6,000 requests for assistance each year. [Read more…]

Pet of the Day: Roget

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Pet of the Day: Roget

Submitted

MEOW!!! Roget is a beautiful female that is very vocal about her current situation. Let’s see if we can change it for her. Share this pretty girl’s photo to help her find that special someone.

Shelter intake date—June 14, 2014. Check with staff for date of availability.

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. It’s located at 395 Belgrade Road in east Oak Ridge. The phone number is (865) 425-3423.

See the Animal Shelter’s website here. You can also find more information on adoptable animals at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on this Facebook page.

Pet of the Day: Joelle

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Pet of the Day: Joelle

Submitted

I am Joelle. I was so very frightened when they brought me in. I thought I could hide in my litter box and maybe no one could see me.

I have finally climbed out and let Miss Bev love on me. It felt real good. I know the pretty and real friendly ones go first, but I just need someone special to take a little time with me. I promise I will be your forever love. Will you please soften my world?

Joelle: Intake date—June 6, 2014 [Read more…]

Sewer rehab work continues week of June 30

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More rehabilitation work of the city’s sewer collection pipes is scheduled to continue next week, starting June 30.

The work is being done by Hurst Excavating and Morgan Contracting under contract with the City of Oak Ridge. It includes rehabilitating sewer collection pipes within city easements in yards and in roadways, a press release said.

Residents should already have received color-coded letters and door hangers (orange for Hurst Excavating and purple for Morgan Contracting) providing general information and each contractors’ contact information.

Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists are urged to use extra care and caution when traveling on the streets with sewer work areas, a press release said. Temporary road repairs will be made, and loose gravel should be expected until the patches are permanently paved. [Read more…]

Manhattan Project website launches

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Atomic Heritage Foundation Manhattan Project Website

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—With prospects for a Manhattan Project National Historical Park this year looking good, the Atomic Heritage Foundation is launching a timely new website for prospective visitors to the Manhattan Project communities at www.atomicheritage.org. The new park is expected to generate 500,000 or more tourists to Oak Ridge; Los Alamos, New Mexico; and Hanford, Washington, during the next decade. As a preview of coming attractions, visitors can take a virtual tour now and immerse themselves in the Manhattan Project online.

With colorful photographs, an interactive timeline, extensive articles on Manhattan Project history, and oral histories of hundreds of Manhattan Project veterans, the new website will be an excellent resource. One feature is the powerful new interpretive tool called “Ranger in Your Pocket.” Based on a BYOD or “Bring Your Own Device” strategy, this technology-based tool represents a fundamental shift in engaging visitors by empowering them to use their personal smartphones or tablets to create their own tour experience. The first “Ranger in Your Pocket” tour is to the historic B Reactor at Hanford. Additional tours under construction will feature Los Alamos and Oak Ridge and draw from AHF’s extensive oral history collection as well as documentary footage and photographs. [Read more…]

Candlelight vigil for Brayden Pearson at Boys and Girls Club this evening

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Brayden Keith Pearson

Brayden Pearson, Our Hero, #14 (Submitted photo)

There is a candlelight vigil for Brayden Pearson at 6 p.m. today at the Boys and Girls Club of Oak Ridge at 102 S. Jefferson Circle. The public is invited.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, June 29, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Click Funeral Home at 9020 Middlebrook Pike in Knoxville, with the procession to immediately follow. There are bike clubs riding on Sunday in honor of Brayden, including the Knoxville Chapter of Band of Brothers and Christian Motorcycle Club of America.

Brayden would have been a fourth-grade student at Woodland Elementary School this coming year. He died Monday after having trouble while snorkeling at Clark Center Park in Oak Ridge on Saturday.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Biloski seeks re-election to County Commission

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Robin Biloski

Robin Biloski

Anderson County Commissioner Robin Biloski is seeking re-election to Anderson County Commission in the Aug. 7 election. Biloski represents District 8 in Oak Ridge, which includes the voting precincts of Emory Valley, Hendrix Creek, and Woodland.

During her tenure, Biloski has helped secure and complete energy initiatives for the county that are sustainable and save taxpayer money, a press release said. It said she secured donated funding to repave the county’s offices in Oak Ridge by working with the County Clerk and Trustee to open a drive-through operation and actively supported the expanded and updated Dental Clinic in Oak Ridge, which are all within District 8.

“I feel very positive about my contributions to Anderson County these past eight years, and seeing the expansion at Roane State and the beginnings of the new facility for Emory Valley Center shows the continued growth within District 8,” Biloski said. “Acting as a resource for city/county inquiries is what I most love doing as an elected official. I have always considered myself a professional, independent, and educated voice in my service to all county residents. I humbly and respectfully ask those in District 8 for their vote in the upcoming election.”

Paul Spray is again Biloski’s treasurer for her campaign, the press release said. [Read more…]