Oak Ridge Today

Sewer rehab work continues week of July 21

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More rehabilitation work of the city’s sewer collection pipes is scheduled to continue this week, starting Monday, July 21.

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…]

Students, teachers come to Oak Ridge for summer science learning, fun

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ARC, ORAU, and ORNL Summer High School Institute

Participants of the 2014 ARC/ORNL/ORAU High School Institute. (Photo courtesy ORAU)

 

While the majority of young students were using their break from school to enjoy nice weather and a variety of summer activities, 34 exceptional high school students along with 13 teachers from across 12 Appalachian states chose to spend two weeks of their summer vacation participating in a hands-on institute focused on math, science, and technology.

The Appalachian Regional Commission, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Oak Ridge Associated Universities hosted the 25th annual High School Summer and Math-Science-Technology Institute from July 7-18, during which the students and teachers worked on cutting-edge science projects with mentors at ORNL and participated in a variety of East Tennessee tours and activities.

Students were nominated by their state governor and chosen to participate in the program by ARC. They were selected based on their potential to excel in math and science, to continue in higher learning, and to influence others in their communities as the leaders of tomorrow.

Since 2000, the program has provided a total of 542 students and 223 teachers with in-lab learning experiences at one of the nation’s premier national laboratories. In addition, they have had the opportunity to visit some of the area’s most popular educational and recreational attractions. [Read more…]

What’s happening in Oak Ridge from July 18-23

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Here is a summary of events happening in Oak Ridge from Friday, July 18, and continuing through July 23.

This weekly listing of events is compiled by the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau: [Read more…]

DOE-Oak Ridge Office names diversity, employee concerns manager

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Moses Madera

Moses Madera

Moses Madera, a United States Air Force veteran, was recently named manager of diversity programs and employee concerns for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office.

In this job, Madera will serve as the principal staff adviser to the Office of Science in Oak Ridge and site managers on equal employment opportunity (EEO), diversity, affirmative employment, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), environmental justice, and reasonable accommodation programs, a press release said. Madera will also manage the employee concerns program.

“We are really fortunate to have someone of Moses’ caliber join our office,” said Larry Kelly, manager of DOE-ORO. “He brings a wealth of knowledge in EEO and diversity to the table, and we’re looking forward to his guidance and expertise in his new role on our leadership team.”

Madera comes to ORO most recently from the U.S. Department of the Navy, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Division Keyport, Washington, one of Naval Sea Systems Command’s field activities, where he had been the deputy equal employment opportunity officer since 2012. While there, he was responsible for continuous improvement of the EEO, diversity, and special emphasis programs, along with ADR and reasonable accommodation programs. [Read more…]

High Places Church has Summer Youth Camp at Big Ridge next week

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High Places Community Church is having its Summer Youth Camp at Big Ridge State Park next week.

This week-long camp tradition has been going on for more than 30 years, providing a unique youth-oriented life experience that takes place in a natural outdoors setting, a press release said. The camp is for sixth- through 12th-grade youth, and this year’s theme is “Catching Fire.”

The camp runs from 11 a.m. Monday, July 21, to noon Saturday, July 26. [Read more…]

ASAP needs derby volunteers at AC Fair on July 18

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Volunteers are needed at the Drive Drunk Get Nailed Demolition Derby at the Anderson County Fair on Friday, July 18.  The demolition derby starts at 7:30 p.m., and volunteers need to arrive by 6 p.m.

Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention—or ASAP—of Anderson County will shoot and toss ASAP T-shirts into the crowd during the event. If you can help, notify ASAP Prevention Coordinator Michael Foster by calling (865) 457-3007 by Wednesday, July 16, so they can get enough passes for all the volunteers.

ORHS football camp dates moved to Wednesday, Thursday

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Joe Gaddis

Joe Gaddis

Oak Ridge Wildcats Coach Joe Gaddis and his staff are hosting a football camp for youth players ages 5-12. The camp was originally scheduled for July 9-11, but because of the rain last week, the camp has been moved to 10 a.m. to noon this Wednesday and Thursday.

State bill allows Anderson Commission to donate school buildings to EVC

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Emory Valley Center Presentation

Tennessee Representative John Ragan, second from right, presents Janet Wood, Emory Valley Center development director, second from left, a copy of the bill supported by Ragan and Senator Randy McNally, right, and passed by the Tennessee General Assembly allowing the Anderson County Commission to donate the original red brick school buildings to Emory Valley Center. Also pictured at left is Emory Valley Center board member Bill Hevrdeys. (Submitted photo)

 

Submitted

A bill supported by Tennessee Representative John Ragan and Senator Randy McNally passed the Tennessee General Assembly allowing the Anderson County Commission to donate the original red brick school buildings to Emory Valley Center.

A copy of the bill was recently presented to Janet Wood, Emory Valley Center development director.

In 1958, a local group of parents raised money and built the first red school building for their children with disabilities who were not allowed in the public school system at the time. Plans are under way for a historical marker to be placed there recognizing the efforts of these parents.

Beat the heat with cool summer eats, help ADFAC

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ADFAC Dine and Donate at Riverview Grill

With an expansive view of the Clinch River, Riverview Grill features a variety of family-friendly menu items such as barbeque, burgers, seafood, and much more, a press release said. (Submitted photo)

 

Submitted

With daily temperatures averaging around 90, we could all use some relief from the heat. Why not treat yourself to a feel-good meal?

On Monday, July 14, five local restaurants will donate a portion of their sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC.

Officially launched last October, “Dine and Donate” is a year-long event, with different restaurants participating on the second Monday of each month. Monday’s participating restaurants are:

  • Hoskins in Clinton,
  • Papa Murphy’s in Oak Ridge (please use the register marked for ADFAC),
  • Razzleberry’s in Oak Ridge,
  • Riverview Grill in Clinton, and
  • Subway in Clinton (both), Lake City, Oak Ridge (Four Oaks Center), and Oliver Springs.

[Read more…]

Free computer classes for seniors at Senior Center

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The Oak Ridge Senior Center is offering free computer classes on Thursdays from 1:30–3:30 p.m. The classes will cover basic computer skills such as creating and using an email account and using the Internet safely and successfully.

The Oak Ridge Senior Center is open to anyone who is 50 years of age or older.

To register for the class, call the Senior Center at (865) 425-3999. “Space is very limited so reserve your spot soon!” a press release said.

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

Roane State honor society members take part in national conference at Disney World

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Roane State Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Conference

Roane State Phi Theta Kappa members, from left, Miranda Chase, Shawn Van Horn, and Georgette Boozer take a break from all the fun at the honor society’s national conference at Walt Disney World this spring. (Submitted photo)

 

Representatives of Roane State Community College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society unleashed their inner nerd at the society’s national conference, “NerdNation 2014,” at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for two-year colleges.

Roane State PTK chapter president Georgette Boozer said attending the national conference offered “a chance to explore leadership potential with college peers and a way to have fun with people from all over the country.”

Boozer and fellow PTK members Miranda Chase and Shawn Van Horn attended education sessions, networked with fellow students, and heard renowned speakers such as polar explorer Alison Levine and oceanographer Robert Ballard, who discovered the Titanic in 1985.

The conference was titled “NerdNation” to celebrate the idea that it’s cool to be smart. Pop culture, through shows such as “The Big Bang Theory,” and fashion—bow ties are in, and horn-rimmed glasses are back—celebrate nerd style, or “geek chic.” [Read more…]

Scholarships helps study abroad programs for Roane State students

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Roane State Study Abroad Scholarships

The Roane State Concert Choir traveled to Malaga, Spain, this spring, just one of the international education programs offered at the college. (Submitted photo)

 

A grant awarded by the Tennessee Board of Regents helped Roane State Community College students participate in study abroad programs this spring.

Access and Diversity grants are awarded by the Tennessee Board of Regents to projects promoting diversity, enhancing inclusiveness, and strengthening the presence of underrepresented groups on campuses statewide. Roane State associate professor of business Dave Rath applied for and received an Access and Diversity grant for 2013-14. Titled “Access Global Cultures,” the grant funded study abroad scholarships up to $1,000.

Scholarship applicants were required to write an essay and to complete a minimum of 30 hours of Roane State community service after returning from their study abroad program. Recipients were chosen based on individual need, GPA, and their essay.

The grant, for example, provided funding for music students who traveled to Malaga, Spain, in March to participate in an international choral festival. Of the 11 Concert Choir members who traveled to Spain, six applied for and received the Access Global Cultures scholarship. All six students agreed that without the scholarships, they would not have been able to participate. [Read more…]