Oak Ridge Today

Louie Bluie Music and Arts Festival seeks artists, crafters for 2015 Craft Village

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Applications are now being accepted for the 9th annual Louie Bluie Music and Arts Festival’s juried craft area. Applications received by the deadline of August 31 will be reviewed by a committee for originality, craftsmanship, design, material selection, and appropriateness to the Appalachian tradition. Photos of the work to be sold are required to complete the application.

Organizers said they are hoping to attract more Oak Ridge area creatives to their festival.

Individual artists, craft or art nonprofit groups, school art clubs, or groups whose missions are related to crafts or art are considered prospective vendors, as well as book authors whose material reflects the heritage and culture of the Appalachian voice. [Read more…]

Anderson County Chamber announces business awards, celebrates Friday

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The Anderson County Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of its Tribute to Business Awards, and they’ll celebrate in a Friday evening ceremony.

Here are the award winners:

  • Small Business—Allstate-The Erb Agency,
  • Mid-Sized Business—Tennessee Tool and Engineering Inc.,
  • Large Business—Aisin and SL Tennessee LLC, and
  • Woman-Owned Business—Dream Dance Studio Inc.

“Everyone is invited to join us in honoring these businesses for their contribution to the economic growth of Anderson County,” a press release said.

The celebration will take place at the Museum of Appalachia at 2819 Andersonville Highway in Clinton on Friday, June 5. The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with valet parking, social hour, photos, wine grab, and live music, the release said. Dinner on the Lawn begins at 7:30 p.m. with a brief live auction and awards ceremony. Dress is “resort casual.” [Read more…]

Temporary lane closures on Oak Ridge Turnpike this weekend

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Two inside lanes on Oak Ridge Turnpike could be briefly closed early this weekend to repair a leak on a city-owned water line.

The Oak Ridge Public Works Department could close the two inside lanes of Oak Ridge Turnpike where it intersects Administration Road and Tyler Road, a press release said.  The city staff plans to start the work at about 12 a.m. Friday, June 5.

Vehicles entering Oak Ridge Turnpike from either Administration or Tyler will be restricted to right turns only, the press release said. Talmeda Road to Central Avenue or Milan Way to Bus Terminal Road may be used as a detour. The work is expected to take eight to 12 hours, but it may be delayed in the event of bad weather.

For more information about the Public Works Department, visit the city’s website at www.oakridgetn.gov.

David Hall Cabin, oldest home in Anderson, has open house this weekend

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Information from WYSH Radio

The historic David Hall Cabin, the oldest home and business in Anderson County, will have its annual Spring Open House this weekend—Saturday, June 6, and Sunday June 7—from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

This year, Civil War battle re-enactments will be held both days at 2 p.m.

In addition, there will be demonstrations of blacksmithing, lye soap making, butter churning, and weaving, as well as storytelling and bluegrass and gospel music throughout the weekend. [Read more…]

Clinton Fire Department has car seat checkpoint on Tuesday

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The Clinton Fire Department’s monthly car seat checkpoint is from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 2.

The event, held at Clinton Fire Station Number One (across from Big Lots), is inside the fire truck bays, so rain or shine, they will be checking seats, a press release said. Technicians from the Clinton Fire Department, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Anderson County EMS, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, and the Safe Kids Coalition will be on hand to check out your child’s car seat.

Statistics show that more than 80 percent of all child passenger seats are not installed correctly, potentially putting the child at greater risk in the event of a vehicle crash, the press release said. [Read more…]

MMC offers exercise, childbirth, support group classes in June

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Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge is offering exercise, childbirth, and support group classes in June. Here is a list of the classes and their schedules.

Methodist Medical Center’s June Classes

Prepare for Your Baby’s Birth, Exercise for Better Health, Find a Support Group to Meet Your Needs

Whether you want to get in shape, prepare for the birth of a baby, or find support from others going through a similar experience, Methodist has a class for you!

Classes will be held at the hospital, located at 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge, unless otherwise noted. For more information and registration, call (865) 835-4662 or 1-800-468-6767.

Community Classes

Mended Hearts Support Group, Thursday, June 18 at 6 p.m [Read more…]

City proposes one-cent tax rate increase; schools’ request would add seven

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Mark Watson

Mark Watson

Note: This story was last updated at 3:18 a.m. June 2.

The budget proposed by the Oak Ridge city staff on Monday includes a one-cent increase in the property tax rate. It would help maintain city services and allow for a 2 percent pay raise for city employees, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson told City Council members.

Meanwhile, the budget proposed by Oak Ridge Schools asks for the equivalent of a seven-cent tax increase. It would help cover a deficit and add money for salaries and staff, including a 3 percent pay raise. That budget has already been approved by the Oak Ridge Board of Education.

The two requests total eight cents. They were presented to the Oak Ridge City Council on Monday.

It’s not clear yet if the seven-member City Council will agree to any increases for the city or schools. The Council will consider the budget in the first of two readings on Monday, June 8, and on second and final reading on Monday, June 15. [Read more…]

Small business seminars offered in June

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TSBDC and Roane State

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center will offer five free seminars in June.

The first is titled “Business Planning/Get ready to see a lender.”

It’s scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, at the Roane County Chamber of Commerce in Kingston.

“This workshop covers the fundamentals of writing a business plan, and is designed for individuals who want to increase their chances for successful self-employment,” organizers said.

The second is titled “How to do business with the government.” [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society to present wetlands program on June 16

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The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will present a program on wetlands on Tuesday, June 16. This is both a walking and hands-on teaching event, a press release said.

The program is titled “Construction Techniques and the Value of Little Bitty Wetlands.” It’s scheduled from 6-8 p.m. June 16.

The talk will focus on the benefits of small wetlands and how to construct them, the press release said.

Participants will meet at the UT Arboretum parking lot at 901 S. Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge and walk about a quarter mile to the Valley Road Wetlands from the UT Arboretum parking lot. [Read more…]

Car, truck, motorcycle show on Saturday to benefit Emory Valley Center

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Calvary Baptist Church and Emory Valley Center Car Show

Submitted photo

 

Calvary Baptist Church will have its first Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Show on Saturday, and the proceeds will be donated to support Emory Valley Center’s Capital Campaign.

The show is scheduled from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, June 6. Calvary Baptist Church is located at 163  North Jefferson Circle in Oak Ridge.

The show is free and open to the public, and it will include fun for the entire family, a press release said. A bounce house, crafts, and activities for children will be part of the day’s event in addition to the show and include local food vendors.

“Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come out and enjoy the variety of cars, trucks, and motorcycles featured in the show,” the press release said. “You can also help choose the winning entries by making a donation to your favorite vehicle. First-, second-, and third-place prizes will be awarded based on which vehicles generate the most ‘votes’ by the highest donations.” [Read more…]

North Ridge Trail maintenance scheduled for Saturday, June 6

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Ray and Jo Ann Garrett appointed trail stewards

New North Ridge Trail Stewards Ray and JoAnn Garrett have announced that the annual North Ridge Trail/National Trails Day maintenance event will focus on the west portion of the trail, west of Illinois Avenue.

Volunteers should meet at the Garretts’ home at 101 Windham (just off West Outer Drive) at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, a press release said.

Oak Ridge leaders JoAnn and Ray Garrett, who are longtime members of Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning, agreed last month to co-steward the North Ridge Trail.

“They are filling the big shoes of out-going Trail Steward Susan Donnelly, who is stepping down due to increased work and life commitments,” the TCWP press release said. [Read more…]

Council to consider more funding, contract for Blankenship Field parking lot

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Blankenship Field Parking Lot

The lower parking lot at Blankenship Field, which is used for football games and high school graduation.

 

The Oak Ridge City Council will consider increasing the amount of money to be used for parking lot work at Blankenship Field, and members will also consider awarding a contract for the project during a meeting tonight (Monday, June 1).

The City Council agreed in May 2014 to use $180,000 in traffic camera money for improvements to the lower parking lot at Blankenship Field, which is used for football games and high school graduation.

Council agreed to increase that amount to a maximum of $250,000 in July 2014, Oak Ridge Public Works Director Gary Cinder said in a May 26 memo to City Manager Mark Watson.

But the work could cost $264,791, according to a proposed contract from Rogers Group Inc. of Oak Ridge that the Council will consider tonight. [Read more…]