Oak Ridge Today

Author Diane Fanning to sign ‘Scandal in the Secret City’ books at AMSE

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Diane Fanning

Diane Fanning

Author Diane Fanning will sign copies of her latest novel “Scandal in the Secret City” on Saturday at the American Museum of Science and Energy.

Fanning will be the museum, located at 300 South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge, from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, December 6.

Here is more information from an AMSE press release:

Eastern Tennessee is an area filled with the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, clear creeks, and vibrant cities like Knoxville and Chattanooga. In 1942, the U.S. government selected a rural area between the ridges to create the “Secret City” (what is now Oak Ridge). The location was quickly built to develop materials for the Manhattan Project and the purification of uranium for use in the bomb that eventually fell on Hiroshima. [Read more…]

What’s happening in Oak Ridge from Dec. 5-10

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Here is a summary of events happening in Oak Ridge from Friday, December 5, and continuing through December 10.

This weekly listing of events is compiled by the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau: [Read more…]

Pancakes with Santa fundraiser for CONTACT Care Line on Saturday

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Santa

CONTACT Care Line is hosting a Pancakes with Santa fundraising event this Saturday, December 6, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church at 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Santa Claus and Mrs. Santa will be there to greet children of all ages, and parents can take photos of their children with Santa, a press release said. Youth choirs will entertain the crowd with carols, and there will be plenty of merry elves serving pancakes with butter and syrup, bacon, fruit juices, hot chocolate, milk, and coffee too.

CONTACT is in its fifth decade serving people in need throughout East Tennessee, the press release said. Trained volunteers field nearly 19,000 critical support calls every year. Anderson County, where CONTACT is headquartered, has one of the lowest suicide rates in the state of Tennessee. However, suicide is on the rise in Tennessee and across the United States. [Read more…]

MADD has candlelight vigil on Saturday for crash victims

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MADD Logo

Mothers Against Drunk Driving of East Tennessee, or MADD, and victims of vehicle crashes will have their annual candle light vigil in Oak Ridge on Saturday, December 6.

The vigil is for those who have died or been injured in senseless vehicle crashes, a press release said.

“Anyone who has been hurt or lost someone through a vehicle crash is invited to attend, in addition to community members who would like to offer support,” the press release said. “Some victims have been injured themselves, know someone who has been hurt, or have lost a loved one to this preventable crime. Those harmed through a crash induced by impaired driving should bring a photograph of them self or loved one that has been killed or suffered in a crash.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools staff, students donate almost $14K to United Way

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Oak Ridge Schools and United Way Mike Haygood

Picture above, from left to right are Jefferson Middle School Principal Phil Cox; Rick Morrow, executive director of United Way of Anderson County; JMS Assistant Principal Mike Haygood; and Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Schools staff and students once again stepped up in a big way and donated nearly $14,000 to the United Way of Anderson County’s 2014 campaign, a press release said.

All donors were eligible to win a “Week End Getaway” donated by Tim and Becky Hooks, and this year’s winner was Mike Haygood, assistant principal at Jefferson Middle School.

The press release said the donated funds will go to support 32 agencies and 50 different programs that provide services here in Anderson County. Donations like these helped provide 149 families the supplies to grow their own garden this year, and each garden is expected to produce more than $450 of fresh food. That is more than $67,000 of fresh produce created from the $4,000 invested by UWAC donors.

For more information about UWAC services and to donate to provide this type of assistance to our neighbors, visit www.uwayac.org or call the United Way at (865) 483-8431.

Sound Co. has Sparkly Jolly Twinkle Holly holiday concert this weekend

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Sound Company Children's Choir

Sound Company Children’s Choir of Oak Ridge

The much-anticipated Sparkly Jolly Twinkle Holly holiday concert by Sound Company is set for the first weekend in December. “Don’t miss the festive costumes and seasonal stylings of Sound Company Children’s Choir of Oak Ridge,” a press release said.

Performances will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, December 6, and 6 p.m. Sunday, December 7, at the High Places Church at Grove Center, in Oak Ridge’s historic Grove Theater.

The press release said more than 100 talented young vocalists in grades one through 12 will present everything from classical holiday carols to Louis Armstrong jazz (“Zat You Santa Claus?”), an Elvis Christmas medley, and pop ballad “Peppermint Winter” by Owl City. Sound Company is polishing a range of holiday tunes, including “Hanukkah Shalom,” a traditional Spanish carol, and spirited “Mele Kalikimaka” from Hawaii.

“Of course, you won’t want to miss the new holiday classic popularized in the show ‘Elf,’ ‘Sparklejollytwinklejingley,’ complete with kick line,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Students illustrate children’s book, help raise awareness of homelessness

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Student Art for Homelessness Book

TORCH, a local nonprofit that works with homeless families and low-income people, hosted its second annual art show during National Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Week from November 17-23.

Anderson County art students (grades seven-12) were invited to submit PIT Poster Contest entries, while younger students (grades kindergarten-six) were invited to submit illustrations for a children’s book, “The Home for Carley.”

The PIT Count is an annual, nationally mandated count of the homeless by county over a 24-hour period in the month of January. TORCH directs the PIT Count for Anderson County each year. [Read more…]

AMSE events calendar for December

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AMSE Logo

DECEMBER 5

Grounds Beautification Work Day—AMSE is seeking volunteers to help beautify our grounds from 9-noon. Volunteers are encouraged to bring gloves, planting tools, and any extra plants to donate to our flowerbeds. Hot beverages will be provided.

Homeschool Program: Electricity—Students will participate in activities that teach concepts relating to static electricity and direct current. K-2nd grade program is from 10:30 – 11:30 and cost $5 members or $7 non-members. The 3rd – 6th grade program begins at 12:30 – 2:30 and cost $9 members or $12 non-members. Registration information is available at http://amse.org/educators/home-school-programs/

DECEMBER 6

“Scandal in the Secret City” Book Signing—On Saturday, December 6, 2014 Diane Fanning will be a guest of the American Museum of Science and Energy signing copies of her latest novel, SCANDAL IN THE SECRET CITY, from 2-4pm. The book signing is a free event. [Read more…]

Guest column: A simple gift

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Kaylain Tolbert and Naomi Asher

Clinton High School student Kaylain Tolbert, right, and Naomi Asher of CASA of the Tennessee Heartland are pictured above. (Submitted photo)

By Naomi Asher

A simple envelope can hold a heartwarming gift.

At the beginning of October, CASA of the Tennessee Heartland got one of those simple envelopes. It contained a check and a note from a teacher at Clinton High School.

One of their students, Kaylain Tolbert, had raised money for CASA as a candidate for Homecoming Court. Kaylain chose to give her donation to CASA.

While many of the other students chose organizations that others had chosen in years past, Kaylain chose CASA. She babysits for a CASA volunteer’s children, and this volunteer encouraged her to look into the cause. [Read more…]

Church Women United to focus on human rights on Dec. 5

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Jackie Jackson of East Tennessee Family Services will be the guest speaker at a Human Rights Celebration organized by Church Women United on Friday, December 5, at Spurgeon Chapel in Oak Ridge. The theme of the celebration is “Through God Our Hands Can Protect.”

Spurgeon Chapel is located on the corner of South Benedict and Houston Avenue in Oak Ridge. Fellowship begins at 11:30 a.m. and the meeting, and the program starts at noon, a press release said. A potluck lunch will follow.

Everyone is welcome, and reservations are appreciated. For more information, contact Gay Marie Logsdon (483-7940).

Free Community Meal on Friday at new ORUUC location

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Stone Soup Community Meal

From left to right, volunteers Jinx Watson, Beatrice Holt, Todd Sherline, and daughter Poppy prepare for guests at an earlier ORUUC Stone Soup Free Community Meal. The next meal will be served tonight Friday, November 28. Everyone is welcome. (File photo)

 

The Stone Soup Ministry team at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will be serving a free community meal on Friday, November 28, at its new location at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge. Dine-in or take-out will be available in the ORUUC Social Hall from 5 to 6 p.m.

Everyone is invited for the meal of harvest soup and turkey breast sandwiches, a press release said. Fresh fruit and pastries provided by Kroger will be served for dessert. [Read more…]

Holiday party for seniors on Dec. 5

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Oak Ridge Senior Center Holiday Party

The Oak Ridge Senior Center is having a holiday reception for area senior citizens from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, December 5. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Senior Center)

 

The Oak Ridge Senior Center is having a holiday reception for area senior citizens from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, December 5.

“Come join us for a light lunch of sandwiches, chips, and cookies, as well as holiday music and fellowship,” a press release said.

The Senior Center guitar group will be playing live Christmas music. Bingo will be offered, and door prizes given away. Goodie bags will be given out while they last. The event is sponsored by the Oak Ridge Senior Center and made possible by many generous donations from area businesses, the press release said.

For more information about this and other programs at the Oak Ridge Senior Center, call them at (865)425-3999 or visit their website at www.orrecparks.org.