Oak Ridge Today

Free urban gardening workshop on Saturday

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Jason Schmidt presented “Making Simple Worm Bins,” a free workshop at the Winter Farmers’ Market recently. The market is offering another free workshop Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, on urban gardening, by Jacob Resor of Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum. (Submitted photo)

The Winter Farmers’ Market will offer a free workshop on urban gardening in Oak Ridge on Saturday.

The workshop will start at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 8. It will be presented by Jacob Resor, manager of the Center for Urban Agriculture at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum. Resor will talk about how KBG maintains a series of community gardens that help people grow food for themselves and others.

The workshop is located at the Winter Farmers’ Market, which is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through March 28. The market is in the gym at St. Mary’s School at 323 Vermont Avenue in Oak Ridge. Previous free workshops at the market have included “Making Simple Worm Bins” and “Healthy Eating on a Budget,” a press release said.

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Celebrate—or take a break from—the holidays with Dine and Donate!

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ADFAC Dine and Donate

ADFAC’s Becky Hook and Nan Shugart recently brought ‘Addy the School Supplies Frog’ along for a celebratory lunch at Mediterranean Delight. (Submitted photo)

 

The holiday season is in full force! Black Friday is over, and Cyber Monday has come and gone—but the blizzard of holiday activities won’t be over for a few more weeks.

On Monday, December 9, rest your feet and enjoy good eats with ADFAC’s Dine and Donate event! On that day, participating restaurants will donate a portion of sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC). Whether you need a break from holiday stress or want to share an early festive meal with friends and family, Dine and Donate restaurants are ready for you.

December’s featured Dine & Donate supporter is Mediterranean Delight, located in Security Square shopping center, tucked behind Methodist Therapy Services. Mediterranean Delight offers exceptional ethnic cuisine. Customers “delight” in regional Mediterranean specialties such as tabbouleh, hummus, baba ghanoush, kubeh, shawarma, and kebabs. Multiple vegetarian and gluten-free dishes are available. [Read more…]

Winter Farmers’ Market opens Saturday

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The Winter Farmers’ Market will open in Oak Ridge on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, and it will be open through March 28, 2020, in St. Mary’s School gym in Oak Ridge. (Photo courtesy Grow Oak Ridge)

The Winter Farmers’ Market will open in Oak Ridge on Saturday, and it will be open through March.

With more than 30 vendors each week, the Winter Farmers’ Market is the largest one in Anderson County, a press release said.

This weekend’s opening is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, December 7, in the gym at St. Mary’s School in Oak Ridge.

This year, the Winter Farmers’ Market will extend an extra four weeks, through March 28, 2020. It is closed only on the Saturday after Christmas, December 28, the press release said.

“Our farmers grow a wide array of crops all winter long,” said Rebecca Williams, director of Grow Oak Ridge, the nonprofit organization that produces the market.

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Roane State hosts launch of ‘Dream It. Do It.’ competition

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Roane State Dream It Do It Oct. 14 2019
Roane State Community College hosts the 5th annual ‘Dream It. Do It.” competition launch at the Clinton Higher Education and Training facility on Oct. 14, 2019. (Photo courtesy Roane State)

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

Roane State hosted the launch of the fifth annual “Dream It. Do It.” competition last week at the community college’s mechatronics campus in Clinton, and it is also providing judges for the months-long events.

Now in its fifth year, the unique student competition highlighting manufacturing careers is sponsored by Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, and the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce.

The event is held each October as part of the National Manufacturing Day celebration.

Chamber President Rick Meredith during the competition kickoff expressed appreciation for the college’s assistance. Gordon Williams, director of the mechatronics program in the Clinton Higher Education and Training facility, showed the students the various types of equipment used in mechatronics.

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Farmers Market opens Saturday

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Farmers Market
The Oak Ridge Farmers Market opens for the season in Jackson Square at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2019. It will be open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays though November, and a Holiday Market is planned for December. (File photo)

The Historic Oak Ridge Farmers Market presented by East Tennessee FARM will open for the 2019 season on Saturday, April 13.

The market will be held 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Saturday through November in Jackson Square. The markets operate rain or shine. A Holiday Market is planned again for December. The previously held Wednesday market in Jackson Square has been discontinued.

FARM is a historical agricultural co-op operating in Oak Ridge since 1976, making it one of the oldest farmers markets in the state of Tennessee, a press release said. Area farmers have been working together to bring locally grown food and other farm products to the Oak Ridge community for 43 years, the release said.

“The Saturday morning market in Jackson Square is a popular gathering place for Oak Ridgers and visitors,” the press release said.

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Winter Farmers’ Market opens Saturday

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There are more than 30 vendors each week at the Winter Farmers' Market at St. Mary's School gym in Oak Ridge. (Photo courtesy Winter Farmers' Market)

There are more than 30 vendors each week at the Winter Farmers’ Market at St. Mary’s School gym in Oak Ridge. (Photo courtesy Winter Farmers’ Market)

 

Anderson County’s largest market accepts SNAP, offers educational programs for children and adults

The Winter Farmers’ Market by Grow Oak Ridge opens for its third season on Saturday, December 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 323 Vermont Avenue (St. Mary’s School gym) in Oak Ridge. It is open each Saturday, December through February, except for December 29.

Opening day features hourly door prizes and a free drawing for $20 in market tokens at noon, a press release said.

This is the largest farmers’ market in Anderson County, with 44 vendors on roll, and 35 most weeks in December, according to market director Rebecca Williams.

“The gym is filled and we have a waiting list in December, and even in January and February, we will have close to 30 local producer-vendors each week,” Williams said. “All of them must make, bake, or grow what they sell within 150 miles of Oak Ridge.

“Our farmers grow all year long, so you will see produce, pasture-raised beef, pork, and tilapia, local honey, free-range eggs, and fresh flowers and plants. Plus we have artisan food vendors bringing breads and pastries, jams and jellies. Food trucks will serve coffee, brunch, and lunch. And, our crafters offer unique handmade holiday gifts such as pottery, textiles, wood made items, bath and body products, and more.” [Read more…]

Anderson County ‘visioning’ workshop is next week

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Gary Human

Gary Human

 

Submitted

Anderson County has a rich history, from coal mining to pearling, and the rise from agricultural infancy to become a world-leading technological powerhouse.

But what about Anderson County’s future? What is your vision—as a citizen, business leader, or elected official—for Anderson County?

Come share your ideas at a “Visioning Workshop” from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 20, in the Club Room at the Clinton Community Center, 101 Hicks Street. Sandwiches will be provided during the event, which was originally scheduled to be at the Anderson Courthouse, a press release said. [Read more…]

AC Chamber president named TN Chamber executive of year

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The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executives named Rick Meredith, president of the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber Executive of the Year at an annual meeting in Clarksville on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018. The award was presented by Suzie Lusk, associate vice president of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce. (Photo by Anderson County Chamber of Commerce)

The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executives named Rick Meredith, president of the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber Executive of the Year at an annual meeting in Clarksville on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018. The award was presented by Suzie Lusk, associate vice president of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce. (Photo by Anderson County Chamber of Commerce)

 

Anderson County Chamber of Commerce President Rick Meredith was named Tennessee Chamber Executive of the Year this month, a press release said.

Meredith, who also serves on the Anderson County Commission, received the honor from the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executives at an annual meeting held in Clarksville, Tennessee, on Thursday, August 23, the press release said. TCCE is a statewide chamber professional association that identifies the most effective chamber professional who has made a significant difference in a local Tennessee chamber, the release said. [Read more…]

If you can’t stand the heat, eat out to support ADFAC!

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Razzleberry’s has loyally supported ADFAC for over a decade! Please note, Razzleberrry’s does not serve dinner on Mondays, but is open until 9 p.m. for patrons to indulge in homemade ice cream and marketplace items. (Submitted photo)

Razzleberry’s has loyally supported ADFAC for over a decade! Please note, Razzleberrry’s does not serve dinner on Mondays, but is open until 9 p.m. for patrons to indulge in homemade ice cream and marketplace items. (Submitted photo)

 

On Monday, July 9, thirteen local restaurants are donating a portion of their sales to Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC). With a predicted high of 90 degrees on Monday, a more literal understanding of “if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!” is a great way to skip cooking and participate in ADFAC’s July Dine & Donate event, a press release said.

The featured restaurant for July is Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab & Kitchen. Known for their homemade ice cream, eclectic international lunch menu, and pig collection, Razzleberry’s is a true hometown favorite, the press release said. Located in Oak Ridge’s historic Jackson Square, the restaurant and market is ideal for hot summer days, the release said.

“Whether trying out the latest flavor of ice cream, cooling off with an imported beer, or ordering one of Monday’s lunch specials, Razzleberry’s has something for everyone,” the press release said. “Afterward, continue your cool-down in the Jackson Square fountains!” [Read more…]

Dine & Donate: Enjoy fantastic food, support amazing organization

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The featured restaurant for Dine and Donate in May, which benefits ADFAC, is Hoskins restaurant at 111 N. Main St. in Clinton. (Submitted photo)

The featured restaurant for Dine and Donate in May, which benefits ADFAC, is Hoskins restaurant at 111 N. Main St. in Clinton. (Submitted photo)

 

Thirteen local restaurants are donating a portion of their sales to Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties on Monday.

“The weather is finally warming up, so come enjoy any of the restaurants’ outdoor seating, or maybe even get a meal to go for a picnic,” a press release said.

The featured restaurant for May is Hoskins restaurant at 111 North Main Street in Clinton.

“This staple of the Clinton community has long been a supporter of worthwhile causes in our area, and ADFAC is thrilled they have chosen to work with them as well!” the press release said. [Read more…]

Final presentation on revitalization of downtown Clinton is Thursday

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The Anderson County Chamber of Commerce will host the final presentation for the revitalization of downtown Clinton on Thursday.

This event will feature a presentation by Gianni Longo, president of Gianni Longo and Associates. Longo has conducted visions, many in Tennessee that have led to the redesign of Chattanooga’s riverfront, downtown Franklin, and even Knoxville’s Market Square, a press release said.

The closing presentation given on February 22 at the end of the four-day Clinton charrette focused on unveiling the results of the effort. The ideas presented have since been expanded to include specific implementation steps on how to turn the community vision into reality. [Read more…]

Anderson County Chamber hosts county election candidate forum

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The Anderson County Chamber of Commerce will host a forum in Clinton this month for candidates in the Anderson County primary election in May.

The candidate forum will be moderated by Gene Patterson, community relations lead for Consolidated Nuclear Security, which manages and operates the Y-12 National Security Complex.

The candidate forum will be hosted by the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce Government/Community Relations Committee. It is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, at The Ritz Theater at 119 North Main Street in downtown Clinton. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the concession stand will be open, a press release said. [Read more…]