Oak Ridge Today

Crews clean up demolished ORNL reactor

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An aerial view of the site of the Low Intensity Test Reactor after U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management crews demolished it. Crews have since shipped the reactor vessel and backfilled the pit where the facility had stood. (Photo courtesy UCOR/DOE Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management)

Workers have finished cleaning up after demolishing the Low Intensity Test Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The work was done by cleanup contractor UCOR for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management.

Workers finished the tearing down the Low Intensity Test Reactor and disposing rubble and debris last fall, achieving a federal environmental management priority that year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management.

“However, the reactor vessel remained on the building’s footprint until it could be shipped for final disposition offsite,” DOE said in its “EM Update” newsletter.

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Oak Ridge Playhouse offers reimagined ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’

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‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ swirls on stage at Oak Ridge Playhouse from Friday, May 10, to Sunday, May 19! Pictured from left to right above are Jon Zierden, Nathan Fink, Casey Maxwell, Nicholas Johnson, Carly Rawlings, and Josh McCormick. (Photo credit: Oak Ridge Playhouse Photographer Eric Smith.)

Oak Ridge Playhouse is closing out its 81st season of shows with an exciting revamp of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s beloved masterpiece, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” a press release said.

It’s one of the most enduring musicals of all time, and the Oak Ridge Playhouse will offer seven performances between Friday, May 10, and Sunday, May 19.

“From dreams to destiny, this is the extraordinary story of Joseph,” the press release said. “Witness his meteoric rise from favored son to betrayed brother, from prisoner to right-hand man. Blessed with prophetic dreams and one very colorful garment, experience Joseph’s dazzling journey like you’ve never seen before.

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Victory & pollinator gardens open to public June 1

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Victory and pollinator gardens at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will be open to the public on Saturday, June 1, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park said.

The gardens will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 1 for the Seeds of Victory Program, the park said in a newsletter.

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Manhattan Project Park summertime tennis court dances start May 16

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Image courtesy Manhattan Project National Historical Park)

The summertime tennis court dances organized by the Manhattan Project National Historical Park start in two weeks.

The first dance of this summer is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16, on the Jackson Square Tennis Courts. They continue monthly on the third Thursday.

“The park recreates the open air tennis court dances held during the Manhattan Project to entertain the
75,000 war workers and their families contained within America’s Secret City (Oak Ridge),” a newsletter said. “The dances are an all-ages event, and all are encouraged to participate. Featuring swing music
from the 1940s, you might get bit by the jitterbug out on the court.”

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School staff not allowed to carry guns

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Oak Ridge Schools will not allow teachers and other staff members to carry guns in buildings, Superintendent Bruce Borchers said Wednesday. Borchers made the announcement in a notice sent to school families.

His announcement came the day after the Tennessee House of Representatives passed legislation to allow some trained teachers and school staff to carry handguns. Republicans approved the bill in a 68-28 vote despite pleas from Democrats, students, and gun-reform advocates, The Tennessean reported.

“Yesterday, Tennessee lawmakers passed a bill that would allow teachers and other staff members to carry concealed handguns on school campuses should a school district decide to allow it,” Borchers said. “If Governor (Bill) Lee signs the legislation allowing concealed firearms in schools into law, Oak Ridge Schools will not allow teachers or school staff to carry firearms in our buildings. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and it is our core belief that our ongoing safety initiatives have a greater positive impact on our overall safety than arming staff would.”

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League has Brown Bag with legislators Friday

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The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge will host a Brown Bag Lunch with the Legislators on Friday.

The session is scheduled to start at 12 p.m. Friday, April 26, in the Social Room of the Oak Ridge Civic Center at 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally, Senator Ken Yager, and representatives John Ragan and Monty Fritts have been invited to bring those who attend up to date on what’s happening in the Tennessee General Assembly, a press release said.

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Deputy city manager announced

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Tom Pessemier (Submitted photo)

Oak Ridge City Manager Randy Hemann has selected Tom Pessemier as his next deputy city manager.

Pessemier is scheduled to begin Monday, May 6.

He has 16 years of municipal government and finance experience, serving in various roles including city manager, assistant city manager, public works director, community development director, and city engineer, a press release said.

He most recently served three years as city manager and public works director in Independence, Oregon. Before that, he was assistant city manager of Sherwood, Oregon, for six years, the press release said.

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Puccini opera in Oak Ridge in June

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Marble City Opera will present two performances of “Il Tabarro” by renowned composer Giacomo Puccini in Oak Ridge and Vonore in June.

The first performance will be at the Port of Tellico in Vonore on Saturday, June 22.

The Oak Ridge performance will be at Melton Lake Park on Melton Lake Drive in Oak Ridge on Sunday, June 23.

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ORPD participates in Drug Take Back Day

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The Oak Ridge Police Department and ASAP of Anderson will participate in the national DEA Drug Take Back Day next Saturday.

The Drug Take Back Day is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27. Anyone in the community can drop off their expired or unused medication to a police officer at the ORPD at 200 South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge, a press release said.

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the most common method of obtaining pills is through family and friends.

“Prescription drugs could be easily stolen at home when they are left in unlocked cabinets and drawers,” the press release said.

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SIRA championship regatta this weekend

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SIRA-Regatta-April-17-2016-6
Officials and referees used Oak Ridge Rowing Association boats to monitor the races on the seven-lane course at the 2016 SIRA Championship Regatta in Oak Ridge on Sunday, April 17, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The annual championship regatta for the Southeastern Intercollegiate Rowing Association is in Oak Ridge on Saturday and Sunday.

SIRA has been racing on Melton Hill Lake in east Oak Ridge for more than 40 years. They have been a partner of the Oak Ridge Rowing Association longer than anyone, the ORRA said.

“The SIRA regatta marks the end of year regatta for some teams, a prep for Nationals for others, and a qualification for the IRA for some,” the ORRA said. “Expect great racing from the best Southeast intercollegiate teams and select others from around the U.S.”

Here are upcoming regattas, with a list shared by Explore Oak Ridge:

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Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival returns in June

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Charlotte Blake Alston (Submitted photo)

The Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival, inspired by the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee, will bring three nationally known storytellers to Oak Ridge on June 7 and 8 with performances at the Historic Grove Theater, the Oak Ridge Public Library, and the Oak Ridge Senior Center.

The storytellers are Charlotte Blake Alston, Josh Goforth, and Bil Lepp.

“Each uses the power of storytelling to entertain and educate audiences, with hilarious, exaggerated tales or with true stories that shed light on cultures and historic events,” a press release said.

All three storytellers will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, June 7, and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the Grove Theater. [Read more…]

Murder Mystery auction features Dalton Knecht signed jersey, shrimp boil for 12

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Signed Dalton Knecht jersey, professionally framed (Submitted photo)

On Friday, May 3, ADFAC (Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties Inc.) will host “Murder at the Lake,” its fourth murder mystery fundraiser.

“Event guests will put their sleuthing skills to the test as they enjoy a catered dinner, and a few attendees will be fortunate enough to bring home one of the live auction items,” a press release said.

“We are pleased to have five amazing auction items,” said Jamie LaRose, ADFAC development Director. “Our community has been very generous in providing a wonderful array of items and experiences.”

Auction items include a signed and framed Dalton Knecht jersey and a baseball signed by University of Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello, both courtesy of Melissa Charles. Sheila Michel is offering a traditional shrimp boil for 12, and Ron and Annie Cacheiro are providing a four-hour boat ride with water sports. Lastly, Tara and Brian Kneiser are donating a three-night cabin rental in the Smokies for six people.

The event will be held at Calhoun’s Event Center in Oak Ridge from 5 to 8 p.m. May 3. Tickets are $100 each and can be found at https://tinyurl.com/adfacmurder, and on ADFAC’s website and Facebook page. Ticket sales end on April 24. [Read more…]