Oak Ridge Today

Letter: Three Rotary clubs launch successful Oak Ridge Dragon Boat Festival

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Dragon Boats Close Race

 

To the Editor:

What happens when three Rotary clubs in an East Tennessee city work together? In Oak Ridge, a three-club collaboration over the past year culminated in a highly successful inaugural Oak Ridge Dragon Boat Race Festival. The exciting event was launched on Saturday, May 31, at the Oak Ridge Marina off Melton Lake Drive—one of the three best rowing venues in the United States.

The leadership of the event started with Mark Watson, Oak Ridge city manager and president of the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge. He met frequently with the presidents of the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary and Oak Ridge Sunset Rotary clubs, and they persuaded their club members to serve on the organizing committee and as volunteers at the festival. Key Rotarians who made the event successful were Leslie England, Keith Kahl, Jim Sumner, and Oak Ridge City Councilman Chuck Hope (who was in charge of logistics and served as a liaison between the Rotary clubs and the city of Oak Ridge).

By the third week in May, 30 teams, including one from Chattanooga and three from Kentucky and North Carolina, had registered. Three teams came from the Oak Ridge School System and three from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). [Read more…]

Spotlight: SARG celebrates ‘first run’ of new van with shelter animals

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SARG Animal Shelter Van Group Photo

Pictured in photo from left to right are Row 1: Shirley Auble, Jan Baker, and Sara Walter; Row 2—Robin Biloski, Nicole Ferrara, and Kathy Kirkland; and Row 3— Jeannie Parker, and Julie Armes. Missing from the photo are Michelle Weaver Davis and Beverly Kay, transport coordinators. (Submitted photo)

 

Submitted

SARG celebrated the first run of its newly acquired van with supporters in May as it was filled with two dogs, six adult cats, and five kittens headed from the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter to their new forever homes in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The van was purchased using the last three years of proceeds from the Paw for Life Gala fundraiser that SARG has sponsored. SARG Vice President and Gala Chairwoman Sara Moore, and photographer of this event, was jubilant; “Raising the funds to buy this van and save all the lives of our unwanted dogs/cats in our community is the best feeling in the world. We thank all that have always supported SARG to share in this joyous occasion. We look forward to continuing our trips to communities who have homes for all our overflow of dogs and cats.”

If you would like to assist SARG in this endeavor or any others relating to their mission, contact Moore at poohbear214@comcast.net or Shirley Auble at shirsarg@comcast.net, or visit Shelter Animal Rescue Group on Facebook or visit the website at www.shelteranimalsrescue.org.

Photos: Dragon Boat Festival

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oak-ridge-dragon-boat-festival-19

 

Thirty boats participated in the inaugural Oak Ridge Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday at the Oak Ridge Marina at Melton Lake Park.

The event was organized by the three Rotary clubs of Oak Ridge: Rotary Club of Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary, and Oak Ridge Sunset Rotary Club.

Organizers were pleased with the participation and turnout, and they’ve already announced that next year’s festival will be on May 30, 2015.

A dragon boat is a long, low boat adorned with a snarling dragonhead at the boat’s front end, as in the Chinese tradition. Dragon boat races have become popular events in many U.S. cities, ranging in size from Philadelphia to Knoxville. [Read more…]

Spotlight: Karry on 4 Kids has new logo

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Karry on 4 Kids

James Dodson, Jefferson Middle School art teacher, left; Sheila Marczak; Jessica Ammendolia; and Naomi Asher, CASA executive director. (Submitted photo)

 

The Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County, CASA, and private therapist Sheila Marczak have teamed together in an effort to address a special need: Each year, more than 400 children in Anderson County are removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. Many of these children do not have luggage (a carry-on or duffle bag), and they must carry their belongings in a garbage bag. This is humiliating to a child at a time when they are already so vulnerable.

The goal of Karry on 4 Kids is to provide each child in shelter and foster care with a brand new carry-on (duffle bag, etc.), so that they will never have to move from one location to another with their personal items in trash bags. These bags will be collected and stored at the Child Advocacy Center in Clinton to be distributed as necessary.

Recently, art contributions were requested from students at Jefferson Middle School for a logo. The winning student was eighth-grader Jessica Ammendolia.

An effort has been made with Oak Ridge and Anderson County schools to create an initial supply of bags. However, bags will be collected as an ongoing effort. Through the summertime, bags can be brought to Girls Inc., one of the CASA offices, or the CAC office.

Please email questions and concerns to KarryOn4Kids@gmail.com.

What’s happening in Oak Ridge from May 29-June 4

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Here is a summary of events happening in Oak Ridge starting Thursday, May 29, and continuing through June 4.

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

Thirty dragon boat teams ready to race May 31

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Penny Behling Dragon Boat Steerer

Penny Behling of Dynamic Dragon Boat Races LLC of Knoxville takes over as steerer of this dragon boat during a race in Owenboro, Ky., and gets the team back on course. (Submitted photo)

 

The inaugural Oak Ridge Dragon Boat Festival will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at the Oak Ridge Marina and Pavilion in Melton Lake Park.

The three Rotary clubs of Oak Ridge are launching this fundraiser for community nonprofit service organizations.

Dragon boat racing is the eighth-fastest growing sport in the world. And the races will take place on Oak Ridge’s signature rowing venue, considered one of the three best courses for regattas in the nation.

Starting at 9 a.m., 30 dragon boat teams—three from Kentucky and North Carolina—will race at least twice, with the 12 winners of two rounds racing in the third round.

The festival offers food and beverage vendors, beer garden, kids area at the pavilion with bounce houses and 15-minute martial arts lessons on the hour, two Tai Chi demonstrations, and awards ceremonies for winners of the morning Drummers Parade and the third round of dragon boat races. [Read more…]

Summer camps: Science at AMSE Explorer Camp

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AMSE Science CampSubmitted

Make new friends while you discover land and water habitats of animals and insects, make weather forecast predictions, connect electric circuits, solve a mystery using forensic science, and do more experiments and hands-on activities at the AMSE Science Explorer Camp for rising fifth (must be 10 years old by June 1), sixth, and seventh graders at two identical one-week sessions from June 9–13 and June 16–20 at Freels Bend Cabin in Oak Ridge.

“For 25 years the Science Camp has provided 1,200 kids with a real-life experience of how science is important in every aspect of life with the emphasis of how we use science every day,” said Kris Light, science educator at the AMSE Science Explorer Camp. “Campers end their weekly summer session with a greater appreciation of the world around them and a better understanding of the many fields of science. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools honor Memorial Day by participating in ‘Jeans for Troops’

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Submitted by Oak Ridge Schools

The Oak Ridge School District honored Memorial Day and the men and women who have died defending our country by raising funds for military veterans and their families.

On May 22, teachers took part in the 2014 “Jeans for Troops” fundraising drive benefiting the GI Go Fund, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans returning home find employment, go to college, access their health care and financial benefits, and link to housing.

During the drive, which has schools and companies from all across the country participating in, Oak Ridge Schools gave their employees the opportunity to wear jeans to work in exchange for a $5 donation to the GI Go Fund.

“For generations, America’s teachers have been responsible for educating America’s children,” said GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous. “They have always been individuals that mothers and fathers could rely on to set a positive example for their children. This Memorial Day, teachers around the country have set the example to our nation’s children that this holiday is more than just the first weekend of summer, and more than the year’s first barbecue. It is a day to remember the men and women who have fought and died to preserve our liberties, our freedoms, and the American way of life.” [Read more…]

Sitel has charity concert for injured vets Saturday, announces 100 new jobs

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Travis Rice Country Concert at Sitel

Sitel is having a fundraising concert to benefit Wounded Warriors and veteran charities this evening (Saturday evening) and offer 100 new full-time jobs in Oak Ridge.

The free event starts at 5 p.m., and it will raise funds and awareness for the needs of injured service members, a press release said. It will also include a variety of family activities.

The festivities start at 5 p.m. Saturday (today) in Sitel’s lot at 1089 Commerce Park Drive at the Tech 5 Building in Oak Ridge. A number of local country bands will provide the music, followed by headliner Travis Rice at 7 p.m., with patriotic songs honoring America’s brave service men and women, the press release said.

Attendees will enjoy barbecue, hamburgers, hot dogs, and other foods, along with face painting and additional fun activities. Sitel will also give away multiple prizes, including: [Read more…]

Anderson County Memorial Day ceremony on Monday

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Memorial Day Ceremony

Anderson County Veterans Service Officer Leon Jaquet says Memorial Day is for honoring military personnel who have died in the nation’s wars. (File photo/May 2012)

Anderson County Veterans Services Director Leon Jaquet has announced plans for the county’s sixth annual Memorial Day ceremony. The annual event will be held on Monday, May 26—Memorial Day—at 10 a.m. rain or shine in front of the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

The ceremony will include a wreath-laying at the Veterans Memorial in front of the Courthouse in Clinton as well as remarks from Tennessee Rep. John Ragan.

In a press release, Jaquet said the ceremony is held each year “to pay tribute to the men and women of the U.S. military who have given of their lives to protect the freedoms we all enjoy everyday.

“The day itself is sacred and war veterans need no reminder of the reason for it, but what about the general public, and more importantly the next generations? Do non-veterans really recognize and understand the importance of a day honoring their fellow Americans killed in wars around the world? Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance. Everyone is invited to attend and show their support of our military past, present and future.”

Free Medical Clinic receives donation

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Free Medical Clinic Donation

At left, Tanya H. Vargas, co-medical director of the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge, receives a donation from Oak Ridge Panhellenic Alumnae Treasurer Emily Flatau. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge PanHellenic Alumnae Association presented a donation of $1,500 to Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge Co-Medical Director Tanya Vargas at a recent meeting. The donation is earmarked to purchase two pieces of much-needed equipment: an ophthalmoscope and an otoscope, a press release said.

The Free Medical Clinic serves residents of Anderson, Morgan, and Roane counties who are uninsured and can’t afford to pay for medical care. The clinic is located at 116 Division Road in Oak Ridge.

The Oak Ridge PanHellenic Alumnae Association is an organization made up of a cross-section of community-spirited women who meet monthly to exchange ideas, learn from programs presented, conduct their business meetings, and have fun, the press release said. [Read more…]

Guest column: CASA seeks volunteers in Anderson County

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Classes start June 2

By CASA of the Tennessee Heartland

Every day in America:

  • 8,200 children are reported as abused, neglected, or abandoned;
  • 500 children are placed in foster care; and
  • Three children die from physical abuse.

Last year in Anderson County:

  • 186 children were placed in foster care;
  • 592 child abuse cases were reported; and
  • 167 remained in foster care.

CASA volunteers serve as the voice of abused and neglected children who come under the protection of the juvenile court system. Outcomes include reaching safe permanency in less than half the time of children without a CASA volunteer, more services leading to higher success and continued safety after placement. Currently, the Anderson County CASA program maintains a waiting list of more than 100 children. [Read more…]