Oak Ridge Today

Photos: Alexander Guest House ribbon-cutting, open house

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Pictured above during a ribbon-cutting and open house at the Alexander Guest House on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, are former Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan, left; Rick Dover of Dover Development, the East Tennessee company that converted the historic two-story hotel into an assisted living center; and Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, November 5, celebrated the conversion of the former Alexander Inn, a historic two-story hotel in central Oak Ridge, into an assisted living center called Alexander Guest House.

The ceremony, which was organized by the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, included an open house. Guests toured the new 64-apartment assisted living center, which is located at 210 East Madison Road in Jackson Square.

Preserving the former Alexander Inn had been a dream for years, and those who have toured the two-year, $8 million conversion, completed by Dover Development of East Tennessee, have described it as “lovely” and “absolutely tremendous,” among other superlatives. [Read more…]

Foundation led efforts to create Manhattan Project Park

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AHF President Cindy Kelly with NPS Associate Directors Victor Knox and Stephanie Toothman. (Photo by Atomic Heritage Foundation)

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Atomic Heritage Foundation on Tuesday welcomed the official establishment of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park with units at Los Alamos, New Mexico; Hanford, Washington; and Oak Ridge, Tennessee. In a ceremony at the Interior Department on Tuesday morning, U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernie Moniz and Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell signed an agreement that defines the respective roles of the Department of Energy and the National Park Service in implementing the new park, a press release said.

“Today is a milestone for Manhattan Project history,” said Foundation President Cynthia C. Kelly, who attended the ceremony along with the Foundation’s staff. “For more than a decade, the Atomic Heritage Foundation and our partners have been working to preserve Manhattan Project sites and create the park. The national park is long overdue and will provide Americans with an important opportunity to understand the Manhattan Project and its complex legacy for the world today.”

The sites of the Manhattan Project Park “are among the world’s most significant places, where work was done that changed the human world forever,” said Richard Rhodes, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The Making of the Atomic Bomb” and a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. [Read more…]

ORAU to honor veterans with event, open to community

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities will honor veterans in a Veterans Day event that is open to the community on Tuesday morning.

Lieutenant Colonel Martin Hartley, 151st Air Refueling Squadron commander, Tennessee Air National Guard, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker.

Entertainment will be provided by The Southern Brass along with a presentation of colors by the Anderson County High School ROTC.

The ceremony starts at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 10, at Pollard Technology Conference Center at 100 ORAU Way in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum hosts A Tennessee Evening on Dec. 4

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Tennessee Gala Volunteers at Children's Museum of Oak Ridge

A Tennessee Evening Gala volunteers join Mary Ann Damos, museum executive director, in the museum’s Appalachian Exhibit log cabin. From left, they are, seated, Pat Imperato and Cande Seay, and standing, Nancy Harrison, Lee McGetrick, Damos, and Larry Burkholder. (Submitted photo)

 

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will host a Tennessee Evening Gala on Friday, December 4, celebrating Tennessee heritage with music, dance, and fine food representing the state’s traditions.

Guests are invited to come as a favorite Tennessee personality or character to the semi-formal event held from 6-11 p.m. December 4 at the museum, which is at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge.

The Ridge City Ramblers will entertain with toe-tapping bluegrass and Americana music. Also entertaining will be Henry Perry, bringing his harmonica blues music to the event, and Slade Trammell, a concert pianist. The Knoxville Contra Dancers will bring old-time folk dancing to the Gala.

Beth Haynes of WBIR-TV will emcee the Gala. Haynes co-anchors WBIR’s “Live at Five at Four” with Russell Bivin and anchors 10 News at Five and the 10 p.m. news at Fox 43. [Read more…]

Veterans/Armistice Day observed on Wednesday at Civic Center

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A Veterans/Armistice Day observance will be held on Wednesday, November 11, at 11 a.m. in Meeting Rooms A/B in the Oak Ridge Civic Center. Veterans and members of the public are invited to attend the program, which will feature music, reflections, and poetry to celebrate peace and to honor those who have served our country in the military.

If you were born after 1960, there is a good chance you don’t know that November 11 is Armistice Day, as well as Veterans Day. Armistice Day celebrates the coming of peace at the end of World War I, once optimistically referred to as “The War To End All Wars.” It became an official U.S. holiday in 1926 and is still celebrated in Europe at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to commemorate the signing of the armistice at that moment in 1918.

Veterans Day was established as a U.S. holiday by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1954 to honor all those who had served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Ever since, Armistice Day has been overshadowed in the U.S. [Read more…]

Public meeting Thursday to discuss ideas for Manhattan Project Park

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K-25 Building Aerial View

Now demolished, the former mile-long, U-shaped K-25 Building, pictured above, was once used to enrich uranium for atomic weapons and commercial nuclear power plants. Located in west Oak Ridge, the site could become part of a Manhattan Project National Historical Park. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy)

 

A Thursday evening meeting will focus on collecting ideas for the implementation of the new Manhattan Project National Historical Park in Oak Ridge. The Manhattan Project National Historical Park staff will be represented, a press release said.

It’s the regular November meeting of the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association. It starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 12, at the Midtown Community Center at 102 Roberstville Road.

The meeting will be held at the end of a day of: [Read more…]

Thursday ribbon-cutting for historic hotel converted into assisted living center

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Alexander Guest House Front Entrance Sept. 23, 2015

The front entrance is pictured above at the Alexander Guest House, which converted the beloved but long-vacant Alexander Inn into an assisted living center. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony has been scheduled for Thursday evening at The Alexander Guest House, a historic hotel converted into an assisted living center.

The ceremony is scheduled from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, November 5. The ribbon-cutting is scheduled for 5:45 p.m., according to the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

“Following this ribbon-cutting, please plan to attend an open house,” organizers said. “We hope you’ll join us to celebrate.”

The Alexander Guest House, which has 64 apartments, is located at 210 East Madison Road in Oak Ridge.

Preserving the former Alexander Inn had been a dream for years. In September, Rick Dover of Dover Development of East Tennessee, said the two-year, $8 million construction and renovation project was almost finished. [Read more…]

The Arc of Anderson County has mini-conference Nov. 14

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The Arc of Anderson County has its second annual min-conference on November 14.

Subjects include communication and conflict, introduction to adult services, the importance of work for your child with a disability, and dealing with stress (parents) and (youth with disabilities).

The mini-conference is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, November 14, at Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Today: City planner to discuss demographic changes in Oak Ridge

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Sherith Colverson

Sherith Colverson

Sherith Colverson, senior planner for the City of Oak Ridge, will discuss the changing demographics of Oak Ridge at the Women’s Interfaith Dialogue meeting on Monday, November 2, at 11 a.m. The program will be held in the social hall of Grace Covenant Church, Trinity Center, 320 Robertsville Road.

Colverson will focus on the historical and current demographics of the city, a press release said. In a synopsis of her presentation, she said that these demographics tell the story of how Oak Ridge has changed, “both in form and function, throughout the past seven-and-a-half decades.”

She will also discuss how the city’s current demographics can help shape the future of our neighborhoods.  Colverson said she is also very interested in ideas of how to gain more involvement from all citizens in the future social and structural development of the city. [Read more…]

Photo: Halloween home decoration

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Briarcliff Halloween Decoration Oct. 31, 2015

A home decorated for Halloween in the Briarcliff neighborhood in Oak Ridge in October 2015. (Photo by Rob Welton)

 

Here is impressive Halloween decoration work by an enthusiastic homeowner in the Briarcliff neighborhood in Oak Ridge, with the photo courtesy of Rob Welton.

Reminder: EmiSunshine show is Friday at Grove Theater, benefits United Way

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Emi Sunshine at Grove Theater

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On Friday, October 30, the historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge will return to its roots, hosting a benefit concert headlined by 10-year-old EmiSunshine, the newest talent to take the country music world by storm. Knoxville band Handsome and the Humbles will open the concert, proceeds of which will benefit United Way of Anderson County.

EmiSunshine was born in Madisonville, Tennessee, and grew up listening to Tom Petty and June Carter Cash, sounds which have influenced her current style. From the official EmiSunshine website: “Whether she’s performing on the ‘Today’ show or the Grand Ole Opry or taking the stage at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, she is fearless, confident, and firm in her musical direction. As she says, she sings ‘old-time music,’ but it’s her own unique blend of roots music that is equal parts Americana, bluegrass, gospel, and country, with a little bit of blues thrown in for good measure.”

Since a video of her singing on a street went viral, EmiSunshine has amassed an impressive fan base and has given repeat performances in some of the top cities and venues in East Tennessee. However, her motivation remains simple. “I love how I get to sing to people and make them happy,” she says. “I’m really blessed that I get to do this. It makes me feel amazing, like I’m touching somebody’s life.” [Read more…]

Watson to discuss State of the City on Tuesday

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Mark Watson

Mark Watson

Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson will give his perspective on issues facing the city at the next Lunch with the League on Tuesday, November 3. The program will be held at noon in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge, Lunch with the League is open to the public. There is no cost to attend, and reservations are not needed. Box lunches will be available starting at 11:30 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis for $8, or you may bring your own. Coffee and tea are provided.

In August 2010, Watson was selected as the city manager of Oak Ridge after a 30-year career in local government. Prior to coming to Oak Ridge, he served as city manager of six cities in Texas, Montana, and Arizona. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas, where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration, a press release said. [Read more…]