Oak Ridge Today

Knoxville, Oak Ridge groups to march in Selma

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2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March

On March 8, Knoxville and Oak Ridge-based groups will march in Selma, Alabama, much like civil rights demonstrators did a half century ago. Members of various local groups will participate in the march to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March.

Planned by Organizing for Action, Northeast Tennessee (OFA-TN) and the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, the Knoxville area groups will join others from across the country—including President Barack Obama—to participate in the Bridge Crossing and Backward March. Like the historical 1965 march, the path of the commemorative march begins in Selma and crosses the Edmund Pettus Bridge, a total of six blocks. The march begins at 2:30 p.m. [Read more…]

ORUUC rummage sale on Friday, Saturday

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There is no shortage of great finds and surprises again this time for the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church in its first rummage sale in its new location on Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Volunteers have begun unpacking the always fun, very eclectic, and sometimes even-puzzling array of items all priced low to sell for the upcoming sale on Friday evening, March 6, and Saturday, March 7.

ORUUC is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge, near Summit Medical. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Cedar Barren Cleanup near JMS is Saturday

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Larry at Oak Ridge Barrens Area

The annual spring exotic invasive plant removal at the Oak Ridge Barrens Natural Area will be Saturday, March 7.

Located next to Jefferson Middle School in Oak Ridge, this Barren is a joint project of the City of Oak Ridge, State Natural Areas Division, and Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning. One of only a few cedar barrens in East Tennessee, the area is subject to invasion by Chinese lespedeza, Japanese privet, autumn olive, mimosa, Nepal grass, multiflora rose, and woody plants that threaten the system’s prairie grasses. [Read more…]

Church Women focus on services for aging residents

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Note: This event has been canceled.

Cherie Phillips of the Anderson County Office on Aging will be the guest speaker at the Friday, March 6, meeting of Church Women United at Oak Valley Baptist Church at 194 Hampton Road in Oak Ridge.

“Whether you have retired, are contemplating retirement, or have friends and family who are retired, come find out what advice and services are available to the aging in Anderson and Knox counties,” a press release said.

The meeting is open to the public. Fellowship begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by a short meeting at noon and the program thereafter. Drop in and stay however long you can. For more information, contact Gay Marie Logsdon at (865) 483-7940.

CWU is a national interdenominational movement that brings together women of diverse races, cultures, and traditions in closer Christian fellowship, prayer, advocacy, and action for peace with justice in the world.

Support local restaurants, ADFAC with ‘Dine and Donate’

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Nature's Marketplace Dine and Donate March 2015

Spring is in the air at Nature’s Marketplace, located on the east end of Oak Ridge. The restaurant features freshly made soups, sandwiches, side dishes, and baked goods as well as gourmet market items. Nature’s Marketplace is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. (Submitted photo)

 

Our driveways are no longer covered in ice, and the first buds of the season are beginning to bloom—there are many reasons to celebrate the approach of spring! Why not observe the change of seasons by dining out to support the less fortunate?

On Monday, March 9, several local restaurants will donate a portion of their sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC.

Restaurants participating on Monday are: [Read more…]

Boys, Girls Club of Oak Ridge has James Bond 007 fundraiser

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Boys and Girls Club of Oak Ridge Gala 2015

 

The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Clinch Valley, Oak Ridge Unit, will have its annual gala on Saturday, March 7.

This year’s event will be held at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Guests can expect an evening of simple glamour while enjoying dinner, drinks, dancing, and live and silent auctions. Some items to be auctioned this year include an autographed Ted Williams photo “Opening Day 1947 at Fenway Park,” a luxury trip to Keeneland, a year’s membership to the Oak Ridge Country Club, a one-night accommodation at Buckhorn Inn in Gatlinburg, pottery from local artisans, and wine baskets.

The event is chaired by Unit Board President Aaron Wells and Corporate Board Member Ann Likens. [Read more…]

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

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Community Mediation Services Banner

The 14th Annual Big Ed’s Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled for Friday, April 24, and it will benefit Community Mediation Services of Anderson Country.

The Golf Tournament will be held at the Oak Ridge Country Club Golf Course.

“The Oak Ridge Country Club provides a beautiful setting for golfers at this popular tournament,” 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, and it provides important support for Community Mediation Services’ work with youths and families, the release said. [Read more…]

Free flu shots at ORUUC Free Community Meal on Friday

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Free flu shots will be offered at a free community meal on Friday, February 27.

The community meal will be at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church on Oak Ridge Turnpike. Everyone is invited, a press release said.

The Stone Soup Ministry team will be serving a homemade meal of minestrone soup, cornbread, cookies, and fruit. Dine-in or take-out will be available in the ORUUC Social Hall from 5 to 6 p.m. The church is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Photos: Snow in Oak Ridge on Thursday

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Snow on Robertsville Road on Feb. 26, 2015

Snow covers grassy areas alongside Robertsville Road in Oak Ridge on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

Children Sledding in Oak Ridge on Feb. 26, 2015

Children enjoy the snow by sledding on another snow day in Oak Ridge. (Photo by Amanda Page Underwood)

 

Note: These pictures were updated at 1:14 a.m. Feb. 27.

Several inches of snow fell across East Tennessee on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. It was the fifth winter storm in two weeks. Here are snow photos by Julio Culiat, Anna Freeman, Amanda Page Underwood, and Ashlan Yost.

[Read more…]

Weather: County Commission meeting, Habitat dedication canceled

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The Anderson County Commission meeting that had been rescheduled for tonight has been canceled due to the weather. It will not be rescheduled again, but will instead be combined with the regular meeting in March.

The Myrick Build Dedication that had been scheduled for Saturday has been postponed. Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County said the dedication has been postponed to March 28, with the same schedule of events.

Meanwhile, the City of Oak Ridge announced that Waste Connections will begin Wednesday’s routes today (Thursday, February 26) on main roads that are clear, and then go to secondary streets to pick up garbage and recyclables as the day progresses. [Read more…]

Still on: AFORR annual meeting today to feature well-known photographer

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Ron McConathy

Ron McConathy

Advocates for the Oak Ridge Reservation will hold its annual meeting in the Social Room of the Oak Ridge Civic Center at 7 p.m. today (Thursday, February 26). The featured speaker is Ron McConathy, a well-known local photographer.

Organizers rescheduled the meeting from last week because of weather. Virginia Dale of AFORR confirmed today that the meeting will proceed tonight.

Snow across East Tennessee on Wednesday night and Thursday morning postponed many events again on Thursday, and local school systems were closed. But main roads and many side streets in Oak Ridge appeared to be in good condition by early Thursday afternoon.

During tonight’s meeting, McConathy will present a slide presentation of nature at its finest, with emphasis on the flora and fauna found on the Oak Ridge Reservation, a press release said. The event will provide an opportunity to discuss some of the opportunities and challenges facing conservation on the Oak Ridge Reservation, which has more than 20,000 acres.

International Festival is Saturday at Children’s Museum

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Dancers at the International Festival at the Children's Museum of Oak Ridge

Dancers are pictured above at a previous International Festival at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. (Photo by Rob Welton)

 

The International Festival has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 28, at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. The festival will include the same entertainment line-up, food, and culture booths originally set for last weekend.

It was postponed last weekend (Saturday, February 21) due to weather conditions.

The International Festival will feature entertainment, crafts, and cuisines from cultures around the world, with Spice of India Dancers as the featured performers. The family-friendly event will feature musical, song, and dance entertainment on stage throughout the day, international food and culture booths, and crafts for children to make. [Read more…]