Oak Ridge Today

Supercomputers: China still has top two, ORNL’s Titan remains No. 3

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Titan Supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The Titan supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory was once ranked as the world’s most powerful supercomputer, but it was ranked number three in November 2016 in the semiannual TOP500 List. (Photo courtesy of ORNL)

 

China still has the two fastest supercomputers in the world, and Titan at Oak Ridge National Laboratory remains number three.

The semi-annual TOP500 List of the world’s top supercomputers was released last Monday, November 14, at a conference in Salt Lake City.

Titan, a Cray XK7 system installed at ORNL, a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, has achieved 17.59 petaflops, or quadrillions of calculations per second.

The most powerful supercomputer, a relatively new Chinese supercomputer named Sunway TaihuLight, is capable of 93 petaflops. It is built entirely using processors designed and made in China. In June, it displaced Tianhe-2, an Intel-based Chinese supercomputer that had claimed the number one spot on the six previous TOP500 lists.

Tianhe-2, the number two system, achieved a speed of 33.86 petaflops, or more than 33,000 trillion calculations per second, in a test known as the LINPACK benchmark. That ranking program uses a series of linear equations to test computer systems around the world. [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…]

Anderson County Sherif’s Department offers holiday crime prevention tips

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The busy holiday season is almost upon us and many people can become victims of burglary, theft, and other crime. Protecting yourself and your home from crime is the easiest way to have a safe, happy holiday season.

To help ensure everyone has safe and fun holidays, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department would like to offer the following tips for holiday crime prevention.

Shopping:

  • Park in lighted areas at night.
  • Always lock your car.
  • Don’t try to cover items on your seats. Put shopping bags in your trunk or take your packages straight home after shopping and then go back out.
  • Don’t carry large amounts of cash with you, or else, keep it in your front pocket—not in your purse or wallet.
  • Be extra careful when carrying a purse—they are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas. If you must carry one, make sure it has a strap that can go over the shoulder and be held under the arm, making them more difficult for purse snatchers to grab.
  • Keep a record of all of your debit and credit card numbers in a safe place at home.
  • Beware of strangers approaching you. This is the time of year when thieves may try various methods to distract you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.

[Read more…]

Holiday Safety: Thanksgiving fire prevention

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Many families will be celebrating Thanksgiving this week, a holiday that tops the list when it comes to how many kitchen fires are called in to emergency dispatchers. The Oak Ridge Fire Department has some important reminders about fire prevention:

  • Always stay in the kitchen when you’re cooking.
  • Keep children at least three feet away from the stove or oven.
  • Be sure electric cords are not dangling off the counter.
  • Check your smoke alarms to be sure they’re working.
  • Keep the kitchen floor clear of items that may cause someone to trip.
  • Make sure the turkey is completely thawed prior to placing it into a turkey fryer.
  • Be sure not to have too much oil in the fryer in order to avoid the oil spilling out when the turkey is lowered into the fryer.
  • Do not use a turkey fryer on wood deck/porch or inside.
  • Never leave a turkey fryer unattended.

[Read more…]

Oak Ridge warns of utility scam

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The City of Oak Ridge is once again receiving calls from customers who have been targeted by scammers posing as city employees. The scams are currently being directed at commercial customers, but have been aimed at residential customers in the past, a press release said.

The scam begins when a caller advises the customer that their utility bill is past due and that a “technician” is on the way to disconnect their utilities. The customer is advised to pay the bill immediately with either cash or a pre-pay credit card to avoid disconnection. The caller can be very convincing and they have garnered a long list of victims across the country. [Read more…]

City leaf pickup program starts Monday

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The citywide leaf pickup program will begin Monday, November 21. City collection efforts will follow the proposed schedule as closely as possible.

The schedule is a general guide and can vary considerably from the actual schedule due to the amount of leaves and weather conditions, a press release said. Please note: Streets will be swept approximately two weeks after leaves are picked up in each designated area.

“Residents have always been very cooperative and we ask for their continued cooperation this year by following a few guidelines,” the press release said: [Read more…]

Volunteers raise more than half of $750,000 needed for new Friendship Bell pavilion

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Design of the Peace Pavilion for the Oak Ridge International Friendship Bell by Demian\Wilbur\Architects, Washington, D.C.

 

Note: This story was updated at 8:45 p.m.

The project to build a new pavilion for the International Friendship Bell and relocate it in Alvin K. Bissell Park could cost $750,000, and volunteers and officials have already raised more than half of that, or just over $400,000, through paid donations and pledges.

Volunteers had a public kickoff for the project at Oak Ridge Associated Universities on Thursday. At that kickoff, Oak Ridge National Laboratory donated $150,000 to the project, and Oak Ridge Rotary Clubs contributed $10,000.

The exact amount paid or pledged is about $416,579, according to a kickoff presentation.

Here are some highlights of that presentation: [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Rotary Clubs donate $10,000 to Friendship Bell project

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Oak Ridge Rotary Clubs announced on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, a $10,000 donation to the project to rebuild the pavilion for the International Friendship Bell and relocate it at Alvin K. Bissell Park. From left are Devrin Kuipers, president of Oak Ridge Sunset Rotary Club; Jennifer Campbell, president of Oak Ridge Rotary Club; Emily Jernigan, president of Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club; and Pat Postma and Alan Tatum, co-chairs of the International Friendship Bell Citizens Advisory Committee. (Photo by D. Ray Smith)

 

Oak Ridge Rotary Clubs announced Thursday that they are donating $10,000 to the project to build a new Peace Pavilion to house the International Friendship Bell at a new location in Oak Ridge’s Alvin K. Bissell Park.

The donation was announced by Devrin Kuipers, president of Oak Ridge Sunset Rotary Club; Jennifer Campbell, president of Oak Ridge Rotary Club; and Emily Jernigan, president of Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club. It was accepted by Pat Postma and Alan Tatum, co-chairs of the International Friendship Bell Citizens Advisory Committee.

The check presentation was the start of a public campaign to raise $750,000 for the project. A total of $416,000, or more than half the money, has either already been raised or pledged.

Also Thursday, UT-Battelle announced a $150,000 donation to the project. [Read more…]

UT-Battelle donates $150,000 for new Friendship Bell pavilion

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Thom Mason, center, presented a check to Pat Postma, right, and Alan Tatum, co-chairs of the International Friendship Bell Citizens Advisory Committee, during a ceremony at Oak Ridge Associated Universities’ Pollard Auditorium on Thursday, Nov 17, 2016. (Photo by ORNL)

 

UT-Battelle has announced a $150,000 gift toward construction of a new Peace Pavilion to house the International Friendship Bell located in Oak Ridge’s Alvin K. Bissell Park.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Thom Mason presented a check to Pat Postma and Alan Tatum, co-chairs of the International Friendship Bell Citizens Advisory Committee, during a Thursday evening ceremony at Oak Ridge Associated Universities’ Pollard Auditorium.

The check presentation was the start of a public campaign to raise $750,000 for the project. A total of $416,000 has either already been raised or pledged.

“The International Friendship Bell is an important symbol of the heritage and future of Oak Ridge,” Mason said. “UT-Battelle is proud to support the construction of a new Peace Pavilion that will make the bell a focal point for the city and for the new Manhattan Project National Historical Park.” [Read more…]

Man charged with aggravated assault after allegedly pointing handgun at two people

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David Janis

David Janis

 

An Oak Ridge man was charged with two counts of aggravated assault after allegedly pointing a handgun at two people near Tacoma Road and California Avenue on Thursday, authorities said.

One resident in the area said he he came outside his home to see who was in his yard at about 7:45 p.m. Thursday, and he saw a man with a gray hooded sweatshirt, black vest, dark pants, dark long hair, and a tattoo on his left cheek pointing a black handgun at him, yelling, “You hawked me, b—-, come to 122,” as he walked around behind a home on East Tennessee Avenue, according to a warrant filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge.

The resident feared for his life and ran back into his home and called 911, the warrant said. [Read more…]

Tee Higgins will play basketball this year

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Pictured above from left are Oak Ridge senior basketball players Tee Higgins, Tajion Jones, Anthony Gibson, Tyshawn Young, and E.J. Bush. (Photo by Oak Ridge High School boys basketball)

 

Oak Ridge senior Tee Higgins will play basketball this year, his senior year.

Higgins, a Class AAA Mr. Basketball finalist last season, confirmed his decision on Friday.

“The band is officially back together for one last tour,” the Oak Ridge Wildcats basketball team posted on Twitter, sharing a picture of Higgins with seniors Tajion Jones, Anthony Gibson, Tyshawn Young, and E.J. Bush.

Higgins had earlier planned to not play basketball in order focus on football. He’s a wide receiver who has committed to Clemson. He’s a Mr. Football finalist again this year.

The 6-foot-5, 190-pound senior has been one of the most dynamic players for the Wildcats on the basketball court and, for fans, one of the funnest players to watch. Higgins played as a freshman on the 2014 runner-up team in the state championship game, and since then, he’s been a key part of the team and a regular starter and a top scorer. He had picked up basketball scholarship offers from Tennessee, Louisville, Auburn, and others. Earlier this year, he said he was no longer considering playing basketball in college, although he had considered playing both sports. [Read more…]