Oak Ridge Today

Legal Aid Society kicks off 2015 Campaign for Equal Justice

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2015 Legal Aid Leadership Cabinet

Legal Aid Society’s 2015 Leadership Cabinet is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

 

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Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands kicked off its 2015 Campaign for Equal Justice, Legal Aid Society’s annual fundraising initiative, on Tuesday, March 17, with a luncheon at the Nashville City Club. This year, Legal Aid Society’s goal is to raise $800,000 to support its mission to provide free legal assistance to low-income residents throughout Middle Tennessee and the Cumberland Plateau.

Legal Aid Society has an office in Oak Ridge.

The Tuesday luncheon sent a message to the community at large: The legacy and important work of Legal Aid Society must live on. This message was affirmed by a keynote panel discussion moderated by Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Lee and featuring two former Legal Aid Society executive directors: Ashley T. Wiltshire Jr. and Judge Walter C. Kurtz. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Egg Hunt on March 28

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 2015 Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 28, at 11 a.m. Hundreds of children are expected to participate in this annual spring event, a press release said. More than 15,000 candy- and prize-filled eggs will be hidden in Alvin K. Bissell Park with a first-, second-, and third-place prize egg in each age group.

This event will be held rain or shine so participants should dress for the weather. If severe weather prevents hiding the eggs outdoors, they will be given away in the gym and a drawing will be held for the prizes. [Read more…]

Star Farm co-owner to discuss ‘Farm to Table’ movement

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Kellye Wilson

Kellye Wilson

Kellye Wilson, co-owner of Star Farm in Anderson County, will discuss the “Farm to Table” movement and the trend toward organically grown produce during a Wednesday presentation in Oak Ridge.

Wilson will be the featured speaker at a Wednesday luncheon meeting of the Altrusa Club of Oak Ridge. That meeting on Wednesday, March 25, will be at the DoubleTree Hotel.

The title of Wilson’s presentation will be “Farm to Table: Support your Local Farmer.” [Read more…]

Guest column: Changing the future of our community, one child at a time

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There are some exciting things on the horizon for our local Boys and Girls Clubs! The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Clinch Valley operates two campuses: the Lawrence A. Hahn Club in Oak Ridge and the Roane County Club located at Harriman Middle School.

Each club offers affordable after-school and summer programming, and the Oak Ridge Unit offers the city’s only independent athletic leagues. The clubs charge a nominal annual membership and weekly fee; however, no child is turned away for an inability to pay.

The organization’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. [Read more…]

NAACP’s Oak Ridge/Anderson County unit meets Tuesday

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The monthly meeting of the NAACP Oak Ridge/Anderson County unit will be held Tuesday, March 24, at 6 p.m. in the Scarboro Community Center at 148 Carver Avenue.

Past events and upcoming projects will be discussed, a press release said.

The local unit continues to solicit members to serve on its standing committees so the organization can effectively address community-wide concerns. A sign-up sheet will be placed in the back of the meeting room, defining committees with the designated chairperson. Volunteers are needed to meet several concerns throughout the Anderson County area, the release said.

In addition to upcoming projects, David Mosby will provide his reflections on his trip to Selma, and Ella Dubose will provide an overview on her doctoral thesis, “Genisizing of Our Black Communities.”

Central Baptist has Easter Resurrection Celebration, Egg Hunt on March 28

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Central Baptist Church will have its Easter Resurrection Celebration and Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 28, at 1:30 p.m. There will be carnival games, bouncy houses, an egg hunt, prizes, and snacks, a press release said. The children will be told the story of the resurrection.

The celebration and egg hunt are for children two and older.

Central Baptist Church is at 130 Providence Road in Oak Ridge. Call (865) 483-7495 for more information.

Second Breakfast with Legislators on Monday

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Randy McNally

Randy McNally

Ken Yager

Ken Yager

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The Tennessee General Assembly has now been in session for more than two months. According to LegiScan, an impartial and non-partisan legislative tracking and reporting service, 195 of the 3,192 introduced bills were completed by mid-March, a press release said. Legislative committees are dealing with hundreds of bills ranging from education, environment, and healthcare to firearms, digital currency, and controlled substances.

Senators Ken Yager and Randy McNally and representatives John Ragan and Kent Calfee have been invited to speak about the legislative activities of this session of the Tennessee General Assembly and to respond to questions from the audience at the this year’s second Breakfast with the Legislators. It starts at 7:30 a.m. Monday, March 23, in the Social Room of the Oak Ridge Civic Center, located at 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]

WVLT-TV meteorologist Haley to discuss ET weather on Saturday

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Heather Haley

Heather Haley

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Are you interested in our ever-changing weather in East Tennessee? Do you often wonder what contributes to some of our extreme weather?

Bring your questions and learn more from meteorologist Heather Haley of WVLT-TV Local 8 Now on Saturday. She will talk about our interesting weather phenomena and explain how she delivers her message to viewers at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 21, in the City Room at Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge, a press release said. Sponsored by the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society, this talk is open to people of all ages. [Read more…]

Girls Inc.: ‘Fore’ the girls!

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Girls Inc. Golf Classic

Girls Incorporated of Oak Ridge is hosting its 18th Annual Golf Classic on Friday, May 1, at the Oak Ridge Country Club.

This year’s Golf Classic will feature a Hole-In-One Car Prize sponsored by Sexton Automotive, first and second place team prizes, division prizes, prizes for closest to the pin, longest drive, and a putting contest, a press release said.

“Our fun day on the course will include refreshments and snacks as well as a fabulous dinner from the Oak Ridge Country Club,” the release said. [Read more…]

Expert to present wildflower talk on Thursday

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University of Tennessee Arboretum Society Logo

Dennis Horn, one of the country’s most renowned wildflower experts, will present a talk on wildflowers on Thursday evening in Oak Ridge.

The talk is presented by the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society. It’s scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, in the City Room at Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

ORUUC has live, silent auctions on Friday, March 20

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ORUUC Auction Quilt

This quilt is one of the items in a live auction on Friday, March 20, at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church. (Submitted)

 

Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church is having its annual silent/live auction on Friday, March 20.

The auction starts at 6 p.m. at the church, which is at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. It is $5 to participate in the live auction starting at 8 p.m. with auctioneer Bear Stephenson. The quilt pictured at left is one of the live auction items. Organizers said there will be 25 more items, mostly by local craftspeople as well as cabin rentals and more.

There will be food and live music from 6-8 p.m. during the silent auction, which starts at 6 p.m. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Farmers Market opens April 18

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East TN Farmers Association Logo

The Oak Ridge Farmers Market opens for its 39th season in Historic Jackson Square on Saturday, April 18.

The market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

The market will also be open on Wednesdays beginning May 6.

Here’s what’s new at the market this year:

  • Senior Day every Wednesday! Seniors over the age of 60 get 5 percent off their purchases at the Oak Ridge Farmers’ Market.
  • FARM Fan Club—Members receive text reminders and shopping rewards. To sign up, visit the website at www.EastTNFarmMarkets.org.
  • Kids’ Day, May 23, from 9-­11:30 a.m., with live farm animals, crafts, games, and a FARM scavenger hunt for children ages 5 to 12!

The Oak Ridge Farmers’ Market will also host live music and workshops on topics such as herb gardening and composting all summer long. [Read more…]