Oak Ridge Today

Agape House offers homeless a temporary home

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Jim Henry Power Washing an Agape Property

Jim Henry washing an Agape property. (Submitted photos)

 

The Agape House…has been a sanctuary for us and made us feel normal again. I cannot believe we are finally coming out of this unbelievable nightmare we have been living…You have taken tattered lives and sewn them back together with love and kindness. I will carry you in my heart forever. — A temporary resident of Agape House

The Agape House resident who wrote this letter was a military veteran who became seriously ill just as her husband lost his job. Facing medical bills without health insurance led to bankruptcy and left the couple homeless, an unexpected situation that created their unbelievable nightmare.

After one month in the temporary residence established to help the homeless get their lives in order, the couple began to stitch their lives back together again. They were among nine individuals or families who found temporary shelter at Agape House of Oak Ridge in 2014, when the nonprofit began offering shelter for the homeless. Each of them is now permanently housed.

“They are struggling, yes, because these things don’t get fixed in six months. But they are housed, plugged into the resources they need and working toward self-sufficiency,” said Michael McCutcheon, who with his wife Lynn Ross founded Agape House in 2013. [Read more…]

Big Ed’s Memorial Golf Tournament on April 24 helps Community Mediation

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CMS Big Ed's Golf Tournament

Pictured above from left are Katy Jett, Enrichment Federal Credit Union; Jon Harris, Big Ed’s Pizza; Valerie Hansen, Golf Committee; Melissa Neusel, Big Ed’s Pizza; and Willow Reed, Community Mediation/Golf Committee. (Submitted photo)

 

Golfers! Spring is finally here, and so is the 14th Annual Big Ed’s Memorial Golf Tournament on Friday, April 24.

Online registration is available through the website: www.peacefulresolution.org. Registration forms are available by calling (865) 463-6888 or e-mailing info@cms-tn.org. Early registration is due by Thursday, April 16.

The Big Ed’s tournament is a 14-year-long tradition in Anderson County. It combines a great day of golf at the beautiful Oak Ridge Country Club with an active commitment to youth and families in our area, a press release said. The Tournament honors the community spirit and caring of “Big Ed” Neusel, founder of Big Ed’s Pizza, and David Neusel, and their belief in giving to others while seeking recognition from no one. [Read more…]

Support local restaurants, ADFAC with ‘Dine and Donate’

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Soup Kitchen

The Soup Kitchen—specializing in homemade soups, breads, sandwiches, and salads—has been an Oak Ridge favorite for decades. Located at 47 E. Tennessee Avenue, the Soup Kitchen will be open from 11 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Dine and Donate on Monday. (Submitted photo)

 

On Monday, April 13, seven local restaurants will donate a portion of their sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC.

Launched in 2013, “Dine and Donate” is a yearlong event, with different restaurants participating on the second Monday of each month.

“We have truly enjoyed watching Dine and Donate grow over the past year and a half,” said ADFAC Board Member Cande Seay, who also chairs the Dine and Donate committee. “It has been wonderful to see so many families and individuals enjoying meals to support ADFAC’s work in the community!” [Read more…]

Lunch with League: Impact of Affordable Care Act on Free Medical Clinic

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Teresa Brittain

Teresa Brittain

Teresa Brittain, executive director of the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge, will discuss the continuing need for charitable healthcare facilities—even in the era of the Affordable Care Act—during a lunchtime meeting today (Tuesday, April 7).

Brittain will be the guest speaker at Lunch with the League at noon Tuesday in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, which is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]

Nonprofit wants to revitalize Blankenship Field, Jack Armstrong Stadium

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Blankenship Field Overall Plan

An overall view of the proposed renovation of Blankenship Field and Jack Armstrong Stadium.

 

A nonprofit foundation wants to revitalize Blankenship Field and Jack Armstrong stadium and create a world-class gathering place that can accommodate more than 20,000 people in a natural amphitheater for sporting and other events, organizers said.

The Blankenship Field Revitalization Foundation has been formed by private residents, and it is led by Tennessee Senator Randy McNally, an Oak Ridge Republican. Organizers said the foundation is coordinating the revitalization project and fundraising activities in cooperation with the City of Oak Ridge and Oak Ridge Schools.

“In revitalizing Blankenship Field, we hope to honor the historic founders of Oak Ridge, a community dedicated to world-class education, scientific discovery, and a high quality of life,” organizers said. [Read more…]

Are We There Yet? A glance in rearview mirror on winding journey to liberty, justice, equality

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Gina Grubb and Beth Meyer

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“Are We There Yet? A glance in the rearview mirror on the winding journey to liberty, justice and equality” will be the topic of the next Oak Ridge PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) meeting.

The meeting, held at the new Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike on Monday, April 6, is open to all who are interested. Social Hour will begin at 6:45 p.m., with the meeting scheduled from 7-8 p.m.

Partners Gina Grubb and Beth Meyer will share their perspectives and  experiences as gay rights activists during the past 16 years. Grubb is a native Oak Ridger and served nearly 15 years in the Oak Ridge Police Department. She is currently a STEM and science teacher at Eagleton Middle School in Blount County. Meyer has lived in Oak Ridge for 23 years and teaches fourth grade at Webb School of Knoxville. [Read more…]

Concert of Darkness at Unitarian Universalist Church on Good Friday

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The annual Concert of Darkness at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will feature a variety of choral, instrumental, and solo selections that offer a time to reflect on the somber occasion of Good Friday, a press release said.

The concert starts at 4 p.m. Friday, April 3, at the church, which is at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Three Dog Night to headline Saturday night concert at Secret City Festival

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Three Dog Night

Three Dog Night (Submitted photo)

 

Three Dog Night will headline the Saturday night concert at the Secret City Festival in June.

The band’s hits include “Joy to the World,” “An Old Fashioned Love Song,” “Mama Told Me (Not To Come),” “Black and White,” “Shambala,” and “One.”

The 13th Annual Secret City Festival is June 12-13. Three Dog Night will play on Saturday, June 13. [Read more…]

Marshall Tucker Band to headline Friday night concert at Secret City Festival

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The Marshall Tucker Band

The Marshall Tucker Band (Submitted photo)

 

The Marshall Tucker Band will headline the Friday night concert at the Secret City Festival in June.

The band’s hits include “Heard It in a Love Song” and “Can’t You See.”

The Marshall Tucker Band started in Spartanburg, South Carolina, signed with Capricorn Records in 1972, and opened shows for The Allman Brothers in 1973, a press release said.

In 1974, the band began to headline its own shows across America due to the strong sales of its debut album, which went platinum, the release said. The Marshall Tucker Band toured rigorously over the years, playing sheds, stadiums, theaters, fairs, and festivals. [Read more…]

Breakthrough 5K supports programs for adults with autism

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Breakthrough Run Start

Organizers of the ninth annual Breakthrough 5K Run/Walk for Autism on April 18 invite youths and adults who have disabilities to join in the race.

Those with autism and any other disabilities are invited to join more than 400 runners and walkers in the 5K run and walk and one-mile Fun Walk that supports the not-for-profit Breakthrough of Knoxville, which provides a range of services to help adults with autism to live as independently as possible.

The Breakthrough Run/Walk for Autism begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Regal Cinemas Pinnacle Stadium 18 at Turkey Creek, in Farragut. The run, on a USATF-certified course, will have chip timing for the 5K. [Read more…]

Artwork by JMS sixth-grader chosen for homeless coalition poster

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JMS Misty Greenhalgh

Misty Greenhalgh holding the 2015 PIT Count Poster with art teacher, Jim Dodson; JMS Principal Phil Cox; and TORCH Art Show Director Sheila Michel. (Submitted photo)

 

Misty Greenhalgh, a sixth-grade art student of Jim Dodson at Jefferson Middle School in Oak Ridge, submitted artwork to the Second Annual TORCH Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Art Show that was then submitted to the TVCH (Tennessee Valley Coalition for the Homeless) Point in Time Count Poster Contest.

In the past, TVCH chose one piece of art from each county to be that county’s PIT poster. This year, they created the same poster for all 12 counties they serve. Faces from artwork used in past year’s posters as well as the face from Greenhalgh’s work were used for this year’s poster.

The 2015 poster states: “We are more than just faces. Everyone counts.”

Greenhalgh was recognized at the Monday night meeting of the Oak Ridge Board of Education. [Read more…]

Breakfast Rotary, Altrusa award more than $20K in literacy grants

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Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotar and Altrusa International

Pictured from left to right front row are Ann Mostoller (Altrusa), Lisa Buckner, Kay Hall, Alana Hunsaker, Rhoni Basden,Gwen Harrell and Beck Hook. In the second row are Christina Young (ORBRC), Judy Trimble (Altrusa), Ginger Adams, Sheila Michaels, Terry Peck, Jill McMaster, Trudy Wideman, Liz Herdses, and Austin Lance (ORBRC). (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club and Altrusa International of Oak Ridge recently presented grant awards from the Literacy 4 Lunch Grant Award Program.

Lack of literacy skills continues to be a serious problem in the lives of many of our East Tennessee neighbors and for many throughout the world, a press release said.

“Non-readers and below-grade readers cannot realize their full potential in life, which in turn adversely affects our local and national economies and society in general,” the release said.

To address these needs, the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club and Altrusa International of Oak Ridge co-sponsor an annual fundraiser, Lunch 4 Literacy. Proceeds from the March 2014 event that featured Denise Kiernan, author of “The Girls of the Atomic City,” provide the financial basis for these grants. [Read more…]