Oak Ridge Today

Lunch and Learn on Friday to focus on local legend John Hendrix

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Jack Mansfield

Jack Mansfield

A Lunch ‘n Learn at the Oak Ridge Senior Center on Friday will focus on local legend John Hendrix, known to some as “The Prophet of Oak Ridge.”

The presentation is titled “Who is John Hendrix—and what does he have to do with you?” Oak Ridge resident Jack Mansfield will present an impersonation of Hendrix.

The Lunch ‘n Learn is scheduled from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday at the Oak Ridge Senior Center. Living Water Christian Fellowship will provide hamburgers and hotdogs for the event. [Read more…]

CASA fundraiser to feature Miss Tennessee International, Ridge City Ramblers

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Kassie Marie Perkins

Kassie Marie Perkins

A February fundraiser for a nonprofit that helps abused and neglected children will feature local band Ridge City Ramblers and Kassie Marie Perkins, Miss Tennessee International 2014.

It’s the 11th Annual Barbeque and Bluegrass Bash for CASA of the Tennessee Heartland.

“Not only will this year’s Barbeque and Bluegrass Bash uphold the tradition of great food, but the entertainment is once again off the charts,” a press release said. “The evening will be kept on track by emcee Cindi Alpert of 106.1 The River. Judge James Cotton will be talking about his new book, ‘The Greatest Speech Ever,’ which is based on Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. This book ‘reminds us that this very brief but well-crafted speech defines our ideals and national purpose.'”

Signed copies of the book will be available at the event with proceeds going to CASA. [Read more…]

Anderson County Fair named most improved at state convention

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Anderson County Fair Poster

An image from an Anderson County Fair poster from 2009.

The Anderson County Fair was named most improved in its division—Division AAA—during a recent state convention.

The awards were presented by Tennessee Department of Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson during the 92nd Annual Convention of the Tennessee Association of Fairs from Jan. 16-18 in Nashville. More than 900 people attended the Fairs Merit Awards recognition dinner.

A press release said awards were presented to 56 of the state’s top county, regional, and state agricultural fairs. They were recognized with the Merit Award for outstanding achievement during the 2013 fair season. [Read more…]

Violin concert on Saturday will help ADFAC

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Aaron Colverson

Aaron Colverson

Aaron Colverson, a classically trained violin soloist, will play a mix of contemporary and classical music during a Saturday night fundraising concert in Oak Ridge.

The music from Africa, combined with the Appalachian music, will be followed by music from China and from music’s Classical era.

The coffee concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge. It’s presented by the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association, and it will feature visual imagery along with the music.

The concert is free, but donations of $5 or more are suggested. All proceeds will benefit Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum Hosts International Fest Feb. 15

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Childrens Museum International Festival

Dancers at the 2013 International Festival at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

Picti, a duo performing Celtic rock, will be featured performers at the International Festival on Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. The duo will have the audience on their feet as they entertain with bagpipes, bouzouki, whistles and drums, drawing on tribal elements from Celtic traditions.

Festival goers will experience entertainment, crafts, and cuisines from cultures around the world at the family friendly event, with musical and dance entertainment on stage throughout the day. Participants will dine on international cuisine, children will make international crafts to take home, and all will visit booths displaying crafts and traditions from world cultures.

The International Festival will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Children’s Museum, 461 West Outer Dr., Oak Ridge. Food will be available from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Returning this year will be the Kids Fest from 8-10 a.m., featuring international crafts, tasting food from other cultures, and dancing. The Kids Fest is for children in second through seventh grades, the cost is $15 per person, and pre-registration is required. Accompanying adults are admitted with regular International Festival admission. [Read more…]

Aubrey’s fundraiser night benefits Girls Inc. of Oak Ridge

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Girls Inc. at Aubrey's

Girls Inc. girls pictured with Katie Jenkins, Aubrey’s manager, left, are, from left to right, Carly Gelb, Riley Gelb, and Brooklyn Henderson. (Submitted photo)

Aubrey’s of Oak Ridge is hosting a fundraiser night on Monday to support Girls Inc. of Oak Ridge.

Aubrey’s is located at 481 S. Illinois Ave.

“Invite all your friends and family to dine with us at Aubrey’s, and 10 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Girls Inc.!” a press release said.

The local Girls Inc. at 1798 Oak Ridge Turnpike is part of a national nonprofit youth organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Girls Inc. provides educational programs to millions of American girls, the release said. [Read more…]

Knoxville Opera director, conductor speaks to AAUW on Monday

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Brian Salesky

Brian Salesky

Brian Salesky, executive director and conductor of the Knoxville Opera, will be the featured speaker at an AAUW meeting on Monday.

The luncheon meeting of the AAUW, Oak Ridge Branch, starts at 11:30 a.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church, Room 102.

Salesky’s presentation is titled “Knoxville Opera: Serving Knoxville with Passion for 36 Years!” [Read more…]

Open house on Affordable Care Act at Kern Methodist on Saturday

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Kern Memorial United Methodist Church is having a Saturday open house on the Affordable Care Act and options available to buy health insurance through the new Marketplace.

The open house is from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday. The church and volunteers will make printed information available as well as computers to get online resources, and they will provide individual help.

The open house will include informational PowerPoint presentations, especially for those who have never had health insurance. Access to websites such as www.healthcare.gov, www.KFF.org, and www.valuepenguin.com will be provided. Paper registration forms for the ACA will be available, as well as the toll-free phone number for getting information and signing up. Light refreshments will be served. [Read more…]

Free flu shots, warm coats available at Jan. 31 Stone Soup meal

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ORUUC Stone Soup Community Meal and Flu Shots

Free flu shots will be available at the Jan. 31 Stone Soup community meal at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church. (Submitted photo)

Free flu shots and warm coats will be available at the Jan. 31 Stone Soup community meal at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church.

Everyone is invited to the free community meal, scheduled from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, a press release said. The church is located at 1500 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The Stone Soup team will prepare and serve homemade white chicken chili, corn bread, and a cookie and milk.

The Stone Soup Ministry team has partnered with the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge, or FMCOR, to provide free flu shots to anyone in need. Nurses who are volunteers at FMCOR will be on hand to give the shots, the press release said. The vaccine is being provided by the clinic. [Read more…]

Big Ed’s Memorial Golf Tournament in April will benefit Community Mediation Services

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The 13th Annual Big Ed’s Memorial Golf Tournament has been scheduled for April.

The tournament will benefit Community Mediation Services of Anderson County. It will be held at the Oak Ridge Country Club Golf Course on Friday, April 25.

“This annual golf tournament supports Community Mediation Services’ work with youth and families in Anderson Country and honors the legacies of Big Ed Neusel and David Neusel, who shared the belief in the importance of giving to others while seeking no recognition for self,” a press release said. “Big Ed’s will continue to blend the family traditions of extraordinary pizza and significant public service.”

Registration forms and full information will be sent out early in February 2014 and will also be available by calling (865) 463-6888 or visiting www.peacefulresolution.org.

Relay for Life kick-off on Thursday

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Relay for Life Survivors

Cancer survivors walk the first lap during an all-night Relay for Life at Oak Ridge High School in June 2012.

The 2014 Relay for Life of Oak Ridge will kick off at Pizza Inn on Thursday.

The kickoff will include information about changes for 2014 and free pizza, organizers said.

“Please invite all your team members, friends, family, and survivors,” a flyer said. “The more Relayers we have, the more lives we save!” [Read more…]

Organ recipient to discuss organ transplants during Altrusa meeting

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Jill McMaster

Jill McMaster

An organ recipient will discuss organ transplants during an Altrusa Club meeting on Wednesday.

The presentation by Jill McMaster will be titled “Allocating Organs for Transplant: Rationing the Gift of Life.” The luncheon meeting will be at the Double Tree Hotel.

“Because the demand for life-saving transplants greatly exceeds the availability of donated organs, the ethical and analytical challenges are enormous,” McMaster said. Those ethical and analytical challenges will be discussed during her presentation.

McMaster has supported organ transplantation in the United States for many years, a press release said. Working with the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network, she brings the public perspective to the process of establishing national policy to allocate organs for transplant. [Read more…]