Oak Ridge Today

A service of lessons, carols at First United Methodist Church

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Tis the Season! Tis the season when Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and what better way than through a traditional service of lessons and carols? Come to this festive service, comprised of the stories and songs of Christmas, on Sunday, Dec. 1, at 6:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church at 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The Service of Lessons and Carols was first held on Christmas Eve 1918 at King’s College in Cambridge, England. Since then, it has been celebrated throughout the world, sometimes still on Christmas Eve, otherwise sometime during the season of Advent, the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. While the backbone of the service, the lessons, has remained virtually unchanged, there is much beautiful and moving Christmas music to choose from when organizing such a service. [Read more…]

Forum on homelessness in Anderson County on Tuesday

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Experts from social service agencies and faith-based groups will discuss homelessness in Anderson County during a Tuesday evening forum.

The forum starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church. It’s been organized by the Trinity Out-Reach Center of Hope, or TORCH, and ORUUC.

The experts and community members will also discuss factors that contribute to homelessness in the county, explore potential solutions, and consider how to begin a 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness, a press release said. The discussion will also outline ways that people can be involved in the upcoming “Point In Time Count.”
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‘Messiah’ sing-along at ORUUC on Sunday, Dec. 8

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The Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church is having its annual “Messiah” sing-along on Sunday, Dec. 8.

Under the direction of Sandy Wells, the sing-along will begin at 5 p.m. Dec. 8 in the church sanctuary, and it will last about one hour, a press release said. The concert will be presented by 30 area singers accompanied by a 20-piece orchestra.

Everyone is welcome, and music will be provided for early-arriving audience members. Admission is free. [Read more…]

UT economics professor to discuss virtues, limits of free markets

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Marianne Wanamaker

Marianne Wanamaker

An assistant economics professor at the University of Tennessee will discuss the virtues and limits of free markets during a noon lecture Tuesday.

Marianne Wanamaker will be the guest speaker at Lunch with the League at lunchtime Tuesday at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church. Her presentation is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge.

Wanamaker is an assistant professor in the Department of Economics in the University Of Tennessee’s College of Business Administration. [Read more…]

Ecologist, community leader receives Rotary Club Vocational Service Award

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Chuck Coutant

Chuck Coutant

Chuck Coutant, a retired Oak Ridge National Laboratory fish biologist and active community leader for more than 40 years, recently received the Vocational Service Award of the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge at the club’s noon luncheon meeting at the DoubleTree Hotel.

A native of upstate New York and resident of Oak Ridge since 1970, Coutant was recognized for his leadership in the community in environmental and cultural activities, his excellence as an Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientist, and his influence on national and international environmental policies.

Currently, Coutant is a consultant to power companies for environmental evaluation of cooling systems and is president of Friends of ORNL. [Read more…]

Feed the People Thanksgiving Dinner at High Places on Thursday

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High Places Community Church

The Second Annual Feed the People Thanksgiving Dinner is from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday.

Note: This story was updated at 10 a.m.

Volunteers have organized a free, hot meal this afternoon for the homeless, lonely, and those who have no family.

It’s the Second Annual Feed the People Thanksgiving Dinner, and it’s from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday at High Places Community Church in Oak Ridge.

“We simply do not want anyone to be alone on Thanksgiving,” organizers said.

The volunteers could serve several hundred meals, and they will deliver food to shut-in residents later today, organizer Kandace Tucker said. They will bring food to Callaghan Towers, Emory Valley Center, 82 E. Tennessee Ave., and Honeysuckle Lane this evening. [Read more…]

Family, friends remember Cub Scout who wanted to be a police officer

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Treí-Roan Vann and Football Trophy

Treí-Roan Vann is pictured above with a second-place football trophy in the Boys Club VFC Conference on Oct. 26. (Photo courtesy Crist Vann)

Like his older brother David, Treí-Roan Vann wanted to be a police officer when he grew up. He also wanted to play soccer this year. He never got the chance to do either.

Treí, a third-grade student at Linden Elementary School, was found unresponsive on his school bus at about 4:10 p.m. Tuesday near his home on Wilberforce Avenue. He was taken by ambulance to Methodist Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

His father Crist Vann said Treí, as he was called, was a very good eight-year-old.

“He didn’t get into too many problems,” Vann said Wednesday night. “He was always concerned about people. He was always willing to lend a helping hand. He was always the life of the room.”

It’s not clear what happened to Treí on Tuesday.

“He went to school,” Crist Vann said. “Everybody at school said he was fine. On the way home, he was unresponsive. They thought he was asleep. They couldn’t bring him back.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Civic Ballet supports Second Harvest

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ORCBA Angels

The Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association said it was proud to give back with a promotion for Second Harvest during their recent “Nutcracker” performances. Pictured above are ORCBA angels. (Submitted photo)

Submitted

In appreciation of the support from the East Tennessee community during the past 50 years, the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association was proud to give back with a promotion for Second Harvest during their recent “Nutcracker” performances. Patrons who donated five items for Second Harvest East Tennessee received special discounts on ticket prices.

A similar promotion with a local nonprofit agency that benefits lower income families in our area is planned for the spring production of “Sleeping Beauty” and “Swan Lake” on April 5, 2014. More specific information will be posted at www.orcba.org as it becomes available.

ORCBA holds the longest continuously-standing dance charter in the state of Tennessee. The organization’s goal is to provide a clean, safe, fun, professional environment for dancers of all abilities and ages to perform before a live audience. ORCBA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Free community meal, cold weather clothing at UU church on Friday

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A free community meal and cold weather clothing will be available at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church on Friday.

Black bean chili, sandwiches, and pastries are on the menu, a press release said. Dine-in or take-out will be available from 5 to 6 p.m. Everyone is invited.

It’s the monthly Stone Soup Ministry meal, which is held the last Friday of every month at the same time in the Social Hall of the Church. The Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church is at 1500 Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools students, staff increase United Way donations by more than 25 percent

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Oak Ridge Schools Donate to United Way

Michael Mott, second from left, was the winner of the grand prize of a weekend getaway donated by United Way of Anderson County Loaned Executive Becky Hook, a retired Oak Ridge teacher. Mott is pictured above with Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers, right, and Principal Bruce Lay, left, and Rick Morrow, UWAC executive director. (Submitted photo)

Students and staff in the Oak Ridge School system increased their contributions to this year’s United Way of Anderson County campaign by more than 25 percent, an official said.

“We are excited to be able to give back to our community,” said Bruce Borchers, Oak Ridge School superintendent. “This is a great community to be part of.”

“To see an increase during these very challenging times really means a lot,” said Rick Morrow, UWAC executive director. [Read more…]

Africa education, leadership initiative to be focus of human rights celebration

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Anita Henderlight with Sudanese Students

Anita Henderlight meets with students at the secondary school established through Africa ELI in South Sudan. (Submitted photos)

Anita Henderlight, executive director of Africa Education and Leadership Initiative, will be the guest speaker at a Human Rights Celebration organized by Church Women United on Friday, Dec. 6, at Spurgeon Chapel in Oak Ridge. The theme of the celebration is “Breaking Down the Doors of Injustice.”

Founded in 2006, Africa ELI works in the world’s newest country of South Sudan to bridge gender gaps in secondary education by improving access to school for girls and refugees of war. Henderlight travels extensively to mobilize investors and collaborates with Africa ELI personnel, partner agencies, government leaders, and South Sudan’s young adults to help them implement skill-building programs and develop sustainable solutions to meet their educational and occupational needs, a press release said.

Spurgeon Chapel is located on the corner of South Benedict and Houston Avenue in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Lake City Christmas Parade is Dec. 6, procedures outlined

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The Lake City Christmas parade will be Friday, Dec. 6, and the theme is “A Christmas to Remember.”

The parade will start at 7 p.m., and registration will be from 5 to 6:45 p.m.

Please be aware that everyone participating in the parade must register, sign a release, and receive a number regardless if you want to be judged or not. If you do not register and receive a number, you will be asked to leave the parade line. [Read more…]