Oak Ridge Today

Church Women United kick off ‘Blankets+’ drive on Friday

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Church Women United will meet on Friday to kick off the 2015 “Blankets+” drive benefiting disaster victims around the world.

The February 6 meeting will be at Kern Memorial United Methodist Church at 451 East Tennessee Avenue in Oak Ridge. The public is invited. Fellowship begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by a brief meeting and the program at noon.

CWU is a national volunteer faith-based women’s movement that brings together women of diverse races, cultures, and traditions in closer Christian fellowship, prayer, advocacy, and action for peace with justice in the world.

For more information, contact Gay Marie Logsdon (483-7940).

Sponsored: Make reservations now for Valentine’s Dinner Secret City Train Ride

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Secret City Scenic Excursion Train

Secret City Scenic Excursion Train (Photo courtesy Southern Appalachia Railway Museum)

Make reservations now for the Valentine’s Dinner Secret City Scenic Excursion Train Ride!

What: Valentine’s Dinner Secret City Scenic Excursion Train Ride

When: Thursday, February 12—6 p.m.; Friday, February 13—6 p.m.; February 14—6 p.m.

Where: Depart from the Heritage Center at 2010 Highway 58 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Reservations: Tickets are $70 per person, and seating is extremely limited. For reservations, meal selections and other details, please contact our friendly ticket agent at (865) 241-2140.

Special Guest: Chef Andras and his crew will be providing a first class meal and service in our restored 1924 Southern Railway Dining Car.

Meal selections include: [Read more…]

Healthcare employers invited to participate in Roane State job fair

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Employers are invited to participate in a March 4 job fair for Roane State Community College students who are pursuing careers in health care and plan to graduate this year.

The fair is planned for Wednesday, March 4, from noon-3 p.m. at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus, 701 Briarcliff Avenue. The event will be held in the Goff Health Sciences and Technology Building. Setup begins at 11 a.m. [Read more…]

Recreation, Parks Board meets Feb. 12

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Board will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, February 12, in the Recreation Center Social Room.

Agenda items include a revised Board work plan for 2015, consideration of a request for Board support of a new trail on Parcel 405 in west Oak Ridge, and Oak Ridge Bocce, as well as a director’s report on Pellissippi Blueway.

DOE East Tennessee Middle School Science Bowl at Roane State on Feb. 7

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U.S. Department of Energy Logo

The fifth annual U.S. Department of Energy’s East Tennessee Middle School Science Bowl will be hosted on Saturday, February 7, at the Roane State Community College campus in Oak Ridge. It starts at 9 a.m.

Students from 12 local middle schools will participate in a fast-paced academic competition offering students the opportunity to match their wits in math and science, a press release said.

This year 16 teams are registered for the competition. Each team includes four student competitors, an alternate, and a coach. The competition covers numerous disciplines including astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, general science, mathematics, and physics, the press release said. [Read more…]

What’s happening in Oak Ridge from Feb. 5-11

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Here is a summary of events happening in Oak Ridge from Thursday, February 5, and continuing through February 11.

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

Accordion, violin duo ‘Cricket and Snail’ to play at free concert Sunday

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ORCMA Coffee Concert

The Oak Ridge Civic Music Association will present its next coffee concert at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, February 8, at the Oak Ridge First Presbyterian Church at 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The concert is free, and refreshments will be served at a reception following the performance.

James and Lucie Carlson performing on accordion and violin as the duo “Cricket and Snail” will play an eclectic mix of French, Celtic, klezmer, and even classical music for this unusual combination of instruments.

Organizers said “Cricket and Snail” has performed all over the world, and this concert provides a special opportunity to hear them play in Oak Ridge.

Baughn asks for investigation of police chief; Hensley seeks reprimand of Baughn

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Trina Baughn

Trina Baughn

Charlie Hensley

Charlie Hensley

Note: This story was updated at 7:08 p.m.

On one hand is Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn. She’s called for an investigation of the police chief.

On the other is City Council member Charlie Hensley. He wants the seven-member Council to reprimand Baughn.

It’s not clear which side, if either, will prevail during the Monday night meeting of the Oak Ridge City Council.

The two Council members, who have a strained relationship, have dueling resolutions that could be considered on Monday. Either one would require a second from another Council member to be discussed and four votes to be approved.

Both resolutions follow more than one week of accusations and allegations that have roiled and divided the community. They have focused, in particular, on the management of the Oak Ridge Police Department by Chief Jim Akagi and raised questions about the turnover rate and whether it is high. Some of the most blistering criticisms have come from former Oak Ridge Police Chief David Beams, who said he still visits the city. [Read more…]

Electric, Public Works directors at Lunch with League on Tuesday

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Jack Suggs

Jack Suggs

Submitted

As we go about daily life in Oak Ridge, we don’t ordinarily think about where wastewater goes or where the electricity we use comes from. When the monthly utility bill arrives from the City of Oak Ridge, the cost of electricity, water, and sewer may surprise us and make us wonder about the cost and changes in rates.

Gary Cinder, director of Oak Ridge Public Works, and Jack Suggs, Oak Ridge Electric Department director, will be the guest speakers at Lunch with the League on Tuesday, February 3, and they will provide insights into their departments’ activities and responsibilities. The program will be held at noon Tuesday in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church’s new location at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]

Child safety seat checkpoint on Tuesday

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There will be a child safety seat checkpoint on Tuesday, February 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Clinton Fire Station #1 on Longmire Road in Clinton.

This event is sponsored by East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Clinton Fire Department, Anderson County EMS, and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Land Bank meets Feb. 3

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The Oak Ridge Land Bank Corporation will meet in a work session at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 3, in the Municipal Building Training Room.

Agenda items include an update on 175 Outer Drive and a continued discussion of the disposition strategy for a Habitat for Humanity proposal.

Beer Permit Board meets Feb. 9

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The Oak Ridge Beer Permit Board will meet on Monday, February 9, in the Municipal Building Training Room.

See the agenda here.