Oak Ridge Today

Council to consider $75,000 in funding for 2017 Secret City Festival expenses

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The Oak Ridge City Council on Thursday will consider whether to approve up to $75,000 in funding for expenses associated with the 2017 Secret City Festival.

The money would allow Celebrate Oak Ridge, the new nonprofit organization responsible for the festival, to pay expenses for this year’s festival, which started Friday, June 2, and ended Saturday, June 10.

The city has previously provided $50,000 in start-up funding for the new organization. That funding was considered in December.

On June 6, Celebrate Oak Ridge, an organization run by volunteers, requested additional funding from City Manager Mark Watson to “timely meet contractual obligations associated with the festival, including entertainment costs and other vendors fees,” according to a resolution that City Council members will consider Thursday.

“Celebrate Oak Ridge does not have sufficient capital reserves to meet their contractual obligations during the final week of the festival, which would impact this and potentially future events,” the resolution said. [Read more…]

rue21, teen fashion retailer, will open in Oak Ridge on June 15

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rue21 Inc., a leading teen specialty apparel retailer, will open its new store at Main Street Oak Ridge on June 15. The picture above was taken on Thursday, June 8, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

rue21 inc., a leading teen specialty apparel retailer, will open its new store at Main Street Oak Ridge on June 15. The storefront picture above was taken on Thursday, June 8, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 12:15 p.m. June 9.

rue21 inc., a leading teen specialty apparel retailer, will open its new store at Main Street Oak Ridge on June 15, the company said in a press release. The grand opening of the store will include free giveaways to the first 100 customers.

The new store will be around 6,500 square feet and employ about 10 associates, the press release said. It will include girls’ and guys’ fashion including rue+ plus sizes, as well as footwear, accessories, and décor, the release said.

“The retailer felt Oak Ridge has been in need of a destination for trendy, yet affordable fashion, and the location was a perfect fit for the brand,” the press release said. “By working directly with the market, rue21 can react instantly to produce new trends and must-have styles that don’t exist anywhere else, offering a broad assortment in apparel and accessories for girls and guys.”

The press release said rue21 believes in “changing things up while staying true to yourself, and is passionate about giving its customers a voice and the right to express themselves the way they want.” [Read more…]

Lavender Festival is Saturday, June 17

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The 19th annual Lavender Festival returns Saturday, June 17, 2017, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. (Photography by Shawn Millsaps)

The 19th annual Lavender Festival is Saturday, June 17, 2017, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. (Photography by Shawn Millsaps)

 

The 19th annual Lavender Festival is Saturday, June 17, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. The Lavender Festival is a perennial crowd favorite, full of tradition, fun, and always something new, a press release said. The festival celebrates all things herbal, crafts, local foods, and more.

Admission to the festival is free, with plenty of free parking available in surrounding city and business lots, and on side streets, the press release said.

As is tradition, a bagpipe player will open the festival at 8 a.m., playing from upper Blankenship Field into Jackson Square. Also keeping with tradition, Alan McBride will follow with the hammered dulcimer in the bandstand. A complete music schedule is found below.

Also returning for a second year is “A Taste of Tennessee Wines,” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., benefitting the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge. The tasting is hosted by Great Valley Wine Trail, which is made up of four independent wineries in East Tennessee. Your $10 tasting ticket is available at the gate (for those who are 21 with a valid identification). Tasters receive a complimentary wine glass, and if they purchase wine, a six-compartment wine tote. Customers are allowed to enjoy the wine outdoors in the Square during festival hours, with lunch served all day by plenty of food vendors and food trucks, restaurants, and even hors d’oeuvres by Chapel on the Hill. [Read more…]

ETEC accepting nominations for 2017 Muddy Boot Award, Postma Young Professional Medal

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The East Tennessee Economic Council is now accepting nominations for the 2017 Muddy Boot Award and Postma Young Professional Medal, a press release said.

In 1973, the founders of ETEC (then the Roane Anderson Economic Council or R-AEC) created the Muddy Boot Award to reflect the efforts of the Manhattan Project founders of Oak Ridge, who worked through adverse conditions to build the community, the press release said. Each year since then, ETEC has honored individuals or groups of people who have continued to help build and bolster the community’s economic base. The award has been presented to elected officials, business leaders, representatives of the U.S. Department of Energy, and others.

The objective is to recognize an individual—not an institution—for significant and long-term contributions to the East Tennessee region with respect to the federal government programs and its spin-offs by leveraging the federal presence to create private sector jobs, the press release said. Participation in the community beyond the workplace is essential.

The 2016 recipients included Mike Belbeck, Covenant Health; Chuck Fleischmann, U.S. Congressman, Third District; Frank Munger, recently retired from Knoxville News Sentinel; and Mike Pasqua, recently retired from SAIC/Leidos. [Read more…]

ORHS selected for Sprint 1 Million Project, providing free internet to students for homework completion

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Oak Ridge Schools bus

Oak Ridge High School is participating in the Sprint 1 Million Project program. Through that project, the high school will receive free internet devices and service to help students complete their schoolwork from home, a press release said.

“Sprint’s mission with this project is to provide free wireless devices and service to one million students who are in need of reliable internet service,” the press release said. “The 1 Million Project is the largest corporate initiative in U.S. history to bridge the digital divide and help close the ‘homework gap’ for students lacking home internet access.”

The press release said Sprint plans to welcome approximately 200,000 eligible high school students into the program each year for five years, offering them devices and connectivity for up to four years while in high school. Oak Ridge High School is now a part of this five-year program.

“For the 2017-2018 school year, we will receive 300 devices,” the press release said. “We will continue to communicate with Sprint annually to determine the device quantities needed for the following program years.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Chamber’s VALUE Series professional development events to start June 27

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The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce has announced the return of its popular VALUE Series professional development sessions, a press release said. The series is sponsored by David Vudragovich of UrLocalAgent.com.

The first session, titled “Understanding Benefits for Employees,” will take place at the Chamber on Tuesday, June 27, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., the press release said.

VALUE stands for venture, achieve, learn, understand, and evolve, the press release said.

Upcoming offerings include the following: [Read more…]

CNS grant gives Roane State students opportunity to complete valuable training

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Anderson County High student Doug Stooksbury works on equipment at Roane State’s Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility in Clinton. His tuition for his final semester of dual enrollment mechatronics instruction was funded through a grant provided by employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. (Photo by Roane State)

Anderson County High School student Doug Stooksbury works on equipment at Roane State’s Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility in Clinton. His tuition for his final semester of dual enrollment mechatronics instruction was funded through a grant provided by employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

CLINTON—High school students in the dual enrollment mechatronics program at Roane State Community College received a final-semester financial boost, thanks to a grant from employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC.

Those employees of CNS—the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge—last year awarded a $10,000 grant to underwrite the Spring 2017 tuition for mechatronics students in Oak Ridge, Clinton, and Anderson County high schools. The grant was awarded through the CNS Community Investment Fund.

The Community Investment Fund provides thousands of dollars to local nonprofits. Y-12 employees work with the East Tennessee Foundation to award the grants through a competitive grant process.

In the mechatronics program, high school students take courses in maintaining and improving automated machines and robots used by many of today’s manufacturers, said Gordon Williams, director of Roane State’s mechatronics program. [Read more…]

Mother, daughter graduate from Roane State, will start business together

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Roane State massage therapy student Ciarra Wallace and mother Holly Green graduated in May and plan to start their own business. (Photo by Roane State)

Roane State massage therapy student Ciarra Wallace and mother Holly Green graduated in May and plan to start their own business. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

This mother-daughter team is learning together and soon intend to be earning together.

Holly Green and daughter Ciarra Wallace are finishing the massage therapy program at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus and plan to go into business as therapists in Jacksboro.

“It’s a great opportunity to be able to share this adventure and milestone with my daughter,” Green said. “This way, the family stays together and we help one another.”

Mom and daughter have made the 45-minute commute from their Campbell County home to take their classes.

Green and Wallace obtained their certificates in May, will take the licensure exams this summer, and intend to rent space in Simplicity Salon in Jacksboro, 111 Rusty Road, for the family business. [Read more…]

ORAU named winner of 2017 EPEAT Purchaser Award

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Ron McCandless, right, ORAU buyer, represented ORAU to receive a 2017 EPEAT Sustainable Purchaser Award presented by Green Electronics Council CEO Nancy Gillis, third from right, during the organization’s recent awards ceremony. The award recognizes ORAU’s excellence in the procurement of green electronics. Also pictured are Josh Silverman, director of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Protection; Teresa Krannig, IT specialist for East Tennessee Technology Park; Jeanne Beard, director of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Information Systems; Melanie Bower, EPEAT Director; and Chris Shannon, project administrator for the DOE Mission Support Alliance Project. (Submitted photo)

Ron McCandless, right, ORAU buyer, represented ORAU to receive a 2017 EPEAT Sustainable Purchaser Award presented by Green Electronics Council CEO Nancy Gillis, third from right, during the organization’s recent awards ceremony. The award recognizes ORAU’s excellence in the procurement of green electronics. Also pictured are Josh Silverman, director of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Protection; Teresa Krannig, IT specialist for East Tennessee Technology Park; Jeanne Beard, director of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Information Systems; Melanie Bower, EPEAT Director; and Chris Shannon, project administrator for the DOE Mission Support Alliance Project. (Submitted photo)

 

ORAU was named among the winners of the Green Electronics Council’s 2017 EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) Sustainable Purchaser Award for the third year in a row. The award recognizes excellence in the procurement of green electronics, or those electronics that have been manufactured to conserve energy, eliminate environmentally sensitive materials, and increase recyclability.

ORAU was among 10 organizations to receive a three-star rating, the highest possible, for its commitment to purchasing EPEAT-registered products in three categories: PCs and displays, imaging equipment, and televisions, a press release said. The Green Electronics Council awards one star for each category.

Other three-star award winners were: El Paso Intelligence Center; Loyola University Chicago; Mission Support Alliance, CH2M Hill PRC, Washington River Protection Solutions; National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy; Office of Investigative Technology, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Office of Training, DEA; Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, DOE; U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. [Read more…]

Business leaders support new life for Friendship Bell

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Pictured above are Alan Tatum, left, and Ken Rueter. (Photo by UCOR)

Pictured above are Alan Tatum, left, and Ken Rueter. (Photo by UCOR)

 

Submitted

When Ken Rueter and Alan Tatum met beside the iconic Friendship Bell in Bissell Park recently, they took a moment to reflect on the importance of preserving what the Bell symbolizes to the Oak Ridge community.

Tatum, an accelerator systems and stable isotopes group leader at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is co-chair of the International Friendship Bell Advisory Committee along with Pat Postma. Rueter is President and Project Manager of URS | CH2M Oak Ridge LLC, or UCOR, cleanup contractor for the East Tennessee Technology Park and other sites on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Reservation. Both men serve on the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Advisory Board.

The occasion of their May meeting was UCOR’s donation of $15,000 toward an effort to construct a new peace pavilion for the 8,300-pound bronze bell. Cast in Japan in 1993, the bell was dedicated at its current location in 1996 as a 50th anniversary landmark for the creation of the City of Oak Ridge, home to nuclear production facilities that helped end World War II. The bell symbolizes the bonds of peace and friendship that have been forged by Oak Ridge and Japan in the decades since the war ended. [Read more…]

Two Oak Ridge companies receive small business awards from DOE office

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Buster Bivens and Kaitlyn Weaver of Restoration Services, Inc. (RSI) perform field inspections at a Portsmouth Site process building. DOE recognized RSI with the Small Business of the Year award. (Photo from DOE Office of Environmental Management "EM Update" newsletter)

Buster Bivens and Kaitlyn Weaver of Restoration Services Inc. (RSI) perform field inspections at a Portsmouth Site process building. DOE recognized RSI with the Small Business of the Year award. (Photo from DOE Office of Environmental Management “EM Update” newsletter)

 

Note: This information and photos first appeared in the May 31 edition of the “EM Update” newsletter published by the DOE Office of Environmental Management.

Two Oak Ridge companies involved in federal cleanup work have received small business awards from a U.S. Department of Energy office.

Restoration Services Inc., or RSI, was named the Small Business of the Year during the 16th Annual DOE Small Business Forum and Expo in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 16-18.

Another Oak Ridge business, Scientific Sales Inc., or SSI, was named the 8(a)/Small Disadvantaged Business of the Year.

Awards were presented to a total of five small businesses, including RSI and SSI, during the expo in Kansas City this month. The companies support the U.S. Department of Energy’s environmental management, or EM, work. The awards, which were for fiscal year 2016, were from DOE’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.

The other three EM-related businesses that received awards were: [Read more…]

Proposal to eliminate ARC wouldn’t affect current airport funding, but could affect future funding

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Image via Billy Stair presentation at Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority General Aviation Committee meeting on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.

Image via Billy Stair presentation at Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority General Aviation Committee meeting on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.

 

The Oak Ridge Airport project has received $2 million in funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission, and that money wouldn’t be affected by the president’s proposal to eliminate the independent agency in the next fiscal year, a spokesperson said.

But future funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission will depend upon what Congress decides to do with ARC and whether it continues funding the commission, said Becky Huckaby, spokesperson for the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority.

The budget request released by President Donald Trump on Tuesday, May 23, proposes to eliminate the Appalachian Regional Commission and other independent agencies, providing funding only for the orderly closure of the agencies. The request would apply to Fiscal Year 2018, which starts October 1.

ARC is one of the funding sources for the Oak Ridge Airport, which could cost an estimated $35 million to $40 million and have a mix of state and federal funding, and local funding from the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, or MKAA. Besides ARC, other direct and indirect funding sources include the U.S. Department of Energy, which would provide the land; the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA; the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission; and the Tennessee Department of Transportation. [Read more…]