Oak Ridge Today

Street Painting Festival at Jackson Square will include Ed Westcott Challenge

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The annual Oak Ridge Street Painting Festival, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge, is fun for artists of all ages. This year’s festival, which raises funds for Roane State Community College scholarships, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 13, at historic Jackson Square. (Photo courtesy Roane State Community College)

The annual Oak Ridge Street Painting Festival, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge, is fun for artists of all ages. This year’s festival, which raises funds for Roane State Community College scholarships, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 13, at historic Jackson Square. (Photo courtesy Roane State Community College)

 

In celebration of Oak Ridge’s 75th anniversary, the 19th annual Oak Ridge Street Painting Festival will have two “firsts.”

The October 13 event will be held in historic Jackson Square, and it will offer the first-ever Ed Westcott Challenge for artists interested in chalking a creative interpretation of a famous photograph by Manhattan Project photographer Ed Westcott.

The festival will, as always, offer prizes for artists in each category. But this year, artists in any category can win an all-ages, all-categories bonus prize as part of the Ed Westcott Challenge, a press release said.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge and a fundraiser for Roane State Community College scholarships, the annual art extravaganza will be held on Saturday, October 13, at historic Jackson Square. Chalking will begin at 8 a.m. Categories are available for all ages, teams, and families. Artist participation is free, the press release said. [Read more…]

Students from 75 years of Oak Ridge Schools share memories in new book

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Students from each of the 75 classes of Oak Ridge Schools have shared their school memories in a new book. There is a "reveal party" for the book, "Celebrating 75 Years of Excellence in Education: Oak Ridge Schools, 1944-2018," on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, at Oak Ridge High School. (Submitted photo)

Students from each of the 75 classes of Oak Ridge Schools have shared their school memories in a new book. There is a “reveal party” for the book, “Celebrating 75 Years of Excellence in Education: Oak Ridge Schools, 1944-2018,” on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, at Oak Ridge High School. (Submitted photo)

 

Students from each of the 75 classes of Oak Ridge Schools have shared their school memories in a new book.

There is a “reveal party” for the book, “Celebrating 75 Years of Excellence in Education: Oak Ridge Schools, 1944-2018,” on Wednesday at Oak Ridge High School. The celebration is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 26, in the Oak Ridge High School Amphitheater.

The celebration is being hosted by the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation.

Moira Kaye—ORHS graduate, former local television news anchor, and Miss Tennessee 1983—will lead a panel discussion with ORHS alumni across the decades from the 1940s to the 1980s, a press release said. The panelists and Kaye are book anchor authors for their ORHS graduation classes. Their stories and other reminiscing will be further highlighted by an ORHS choral presentation of the ORHS Alma Mater and the ORHS Fight Song and the presentation of colors by the ORHS JROTC Flag Corps. Also, volunteers who served on the book project will be recognized. [Read more…]

Young Kim to perform at First United Methodist

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Young Kim, pianist

Young Kim, pianist

 

First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge’s Newsong Concert Series is hosting Young Kim in a piano recital on Sunday, September 23, at 3 p.m.

Kim is an assistant professor of music at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, where she teaches applied piano, class piano, and music theory; she also directs the LMU Choir.

Kim received a doctor of musical arts in piano performance with a minor in music theory from Louisiana State University, where she studied with Willis Delony. Under the guidance of Delony and minor professor David Smyth, Kim completed her monograph, titled “Practical Performance Considerations for the Andante con moto of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto in G Major, Op. 58.” [Read more…]

Sponsored: John McCutcheon concert to benefit Grove Theater

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John McCutcheon

John McCutcheon

 

In a special appearance benefiting the ongoing maintenance of the Historic Grove Theater, music lovers will have the opportunity to witness the artistry of John McCutcheon on Friday, September 28, at 7 p.m.

The concert will take place in the large auditorium of the Historic Grove Theater, which is located at 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge. Local up-and-coming Americana player Eli Fox will open the show.

The Theater has an opportunity through the generous gift by a local anonymous donor to match dollar for dollar to build funding for the maintenance of this busy historic property. Proceeds from this performance, after expenses, will be going to this effort.

“John McCutcheon is not only one of the best musicians in the USA, but also a great singer, songwriter, and song leader. And not just incidentally, he is committed to helping hard-working people everywhere to organize and push this world in a better direction.”

— Pete Seeger

“The most impressive instrumentalist I’ve ever heard.”

— Johnny Cash [Read more…]

Calling all artists! Register for Street Painting Festival at Jackson Square

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The Rotary Club of Oak Ridge’s annual Street Painting Festival will, for the first time, be held at Jackson Square on Oct. 13, 2018. (Submitted photo)

The Rotary Club of Oak Ridge’s annual Street Painting Festival will, for the first time, be held at Jackson Square on Oct. 13, 2018. (Submitted photo)

 

The Rotary Club of Oak Ridge’s annual Street Painting Festival will, for the first time, be held at Jackson Square.

The festival gives artists of all ages an opportunity to showcase their talent and have fun, a press release said. Plus, the event raises funds that provide scholarships to Roane State Community College students who otherwise could not afford to attend college. More than $200,000 have been raised since the first festival in 2000, the press release said.

The festival will be held on Saturday, October 13. Chalking of sidewalk squares at Jackson Square will begin at 8 a.m. Categories are available for all ages, teams, and families. Artist registration is free, and chalk and other supplies will be provided, the press release said. [Read more…]

Dine and Donate today to support ADFAC

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ADFAC Dine and Donate Sept 10 2018

The local restaurants listed above are donating a portion of their sales to Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) as part of Dine and Donate today (Monday, September 10).

Dine and Donate is a monthly event. Restaurants supporting ADFAC each month are Burchfield’s, Dean’s, Gallo Loco, Hoskins, Mediterranean Delight, Razzleberry’s, Outback Steakhouse, Soup Kitchen, and Subway locations in Clinton (both), west Oak Ridge (1968 Oak Ridge Turnpike), Oliver Springs, and Rocky Top. [Read more…]

Three-part fiction writing workshop with award-winning Roane State professor starts Friday

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Elizabeth Genovise

Elizabeth Genovise

 

Have you ever felt the urge to write, but stopped yourself because you were not sure how to start?

You can learn how to create, write, and publish a story through a special three-part workshop offered by Roane State Community College assistant English professor and award-winning writer Elizabeth Genovise.

Genovise will teach the workshop—Fiction Writing 101—in September at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus at 701 Briarcliff Avenue. The sessions will be held on Fridays—September 7, September 14, and September 21—from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The cost is $89 for all three sessions. The workshop is open to anyone.

“I’ve always wanted to have a community workshop to help writers of any experience level express their ideas,” Genovise said. “If you can dream, you can write fiction and experience the joy of creating a story. I am very excited about this workshop.” [Read more…]

Labor Day Concert: Dale Pendley retiring as conductor

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Dale Pendley and the Oak Ridge Community Band are pictured above in this submitted photo.

Dale Pendley and the Oak Ridge Community Band are pictured above in this submitted photo.

 

Submitted

As summer comes to a unofficial close on Labor Day, it is official that Dale Pendley’s many years of outstanding service as conductor of the Oak Ridge Community Band from 2001 to 2018 comes to a close as he heads into retirement. The Community Band is inviting all Oak Ridgers and area residents, particularly former Community Band members, former band students of Pendley during the years he worked as an educator in the Oak Ridge Schools, family, and friends to come on down to A.K. Bissell Park on Monday, September 3, at 7 p.m. to join with band members in giving Dale Pendley a warm send-off and many best wishes for his retirement.

Dale Pendley has been with the Oak Ridge Community Band since 1996, originally as a member of the trombone section, later becoming assistant conductor in 1998, and he was appointed the band conductor in 2001 after the retirement of former director Steve “Doc” Combs. Pendley is a graduate of Tyner High School in Chattanooga and received his bachelor and master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He taught in the Knoxville City Schools and started the band program in the Grainger County Schools. From 1980 to 2012, he taught band in Oak Ridge Schools at both Jefferson Middle School and Oak Ridge High School. In addition to teaching and conducting, Pendley has performed with the University of Tennessee Trombone Choir, the Babahatchie Community Band, the Oak Ridge and Knoxville Symphony Orchestras, and numerous jazz and dance bands. Dale and his wife Rita have three grown children and one grandchild. [Read more…]

‘Sergeant York: The Play’ to benefit hurricane relief in Puerto Rico

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First United Methodist Church Sergeant York The Play 0818 500x333

The touring play, “Sergeant York: The Play,” will be presented in Oak Ridge on Friday and Saturday, and proceeds will benefit hurricane relief in Puerto Rico.

The play will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 17, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 18, in the Multi-Purpose Room at First United Methodist Church.

It’s a one-man show starring Greg Helton as Sergeant York, and it was written and directed by Lisa Soland.

Sergeant York grew up on a farm in Pall Mall, Tennessee, and he was the most highly decorated veteran of World War I, a press release said.

It said Soland did two years of research to put the play together, and it will travel across the United States. [Read more…]

Today: Want to have a great meal, help others? ADFAC has the answer!

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Doris Carl, assistant food and beverage director, is one part of the fantastic team at Burchfield’s. Burchfield’s staff go the extra mile to ensure you have a wonderful dining experience! (Submitted photo)

Doris Carl, assistant food and beverage director, is one part of the fantastic team at Burchfield’s. Burchfield’s staff go the extra mile to ensure you have a wonderful dining experience! (Submitted photo)

 

Want to have a great meal and help others at the same time? ADFAC has the answer!

On Monday, August 13, several local restaurants will be donating a portion of their sales to Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC.

“Don’t heat up that kitchen—let someone else cook for you!” ADFAC said in a press release.

Burchfield’s Restaurant, located inside the Doubletree Hotel is the featured restaurant for August. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch has pancake breakfast Saturday

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The Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program will host a pancake breakfast from 8-10 a.m. Saturday, August 11, at Aubrey’s Restaurant at 481 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

Tickets are $5 per plate. A plate includes two pancakes, eggs, bacon, and a fountain drink, milk, orange juice, tea, or coffee. Tickets are on sale now from Joana Springmier at jspringmier3@gmail.com or (865) 272-5153, or Barbara Brower at bbrow13@gmail.com.

The Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program is a self-funded organization that relies solely on donations and fundraisers to promote safe neighborhoods.

“Thanks for your support!” organizers said.

This press release was submitted by Joana Springmier.

Arts festival in Jackson Square on Saturday

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Mad Hatters Art Festival Through Looking Glass 0718 390x600

The Mad Hatter’s Arts Festival in Jackson Square on Saturday will feature arts and crafts vendors, poetry, music, food, dancers, authors, and interactive arts stations.

The free festival, the first of its kind, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s presented by Through the Looking Glass Antiques and Collectibles in Jackson Square.

A Jabberwocky Poetry Slam is scheduled at Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab and Kitchen from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. An open mic will start at 2 p.m. for walk-ins who didn’t sign up for the family-friendly event but want to perform.

Sixteen local songwriters will perform original acoustic music all day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the square. There will also be musicians playing cover songs at the festival, said Linda Johnston of Through the Looking Glass.

At noon, the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet dancers will perform in the square. [Read more…]