Oak Ridge Today

Construction starts at Unitarian Universalist Church near Federal Building

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Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church Site

Construction work has started at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church between Oak Ridge Turnpike and the Joe L. Evins Federal Building.

Construction work has started at the site of a new home for the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church near the Joe L. Evins Federal Building.

Hickory Construction Inc., which has headquarters in Alcoa, announced on Thursday that it has broken ground at the 4.6-acre site. The building could be complete by next summer, a press release said.

Hickory will work with Johnson Architecture Inc. to create a larger church building that will give the congregation an extra 3,000 square feet, compared to the current building a few miles down Oak Ridge Turnpike, the press release said. The new church will feature an updated, modern appearance. [Read more…]

Youth Showcase to benefit Child Advocacy Center on Nov. 2

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Taylor Kress

Singer/songwriter Taylor Kress will be one of the featured performers at the first Youth Showcase on Nov. 2, a benefit for the Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County. (Submitted photos)

Singing, dancing, and comedy—coupled with great food and celebrity entertainment—will kick off the first Youth Showcase on Nov. 2, a benefit for the Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County.

The fundraiser for CACACT will feature some of the area’s most talented youth, a press release said. It starts at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the High Places Community Church in Historic Grove Center in Oak Ridge.

The young performers include ballet dancer Taylor Gober and singer/songwriters Nic Cagle, Taylor Kress (who has also appeared on WDVX), and Lara Manning. Two voice majors from UT, Breyon Lattrell Wess and Taylor Stone, and other local singers Maddie and Sydney Buckner will also perform. [Read more…]

Local church to offer neighborhood Bible study

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Christ Community Church

Christ Community Church will offer a new Bible study starting Thursday, Oct. 17. (Photo courtesy Julio Culiat)

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Promises. We’ve all made them and we have all had them made to us. Hopefully we’ve felt the elation of a promise kept. Most likely we’ve all experienced the heartbreak of a promise broken.

Indeed, promises can be tricky when made by mortal man.

But what about the promises that God makes to us? Can we trust him to be better at it than we are?

Beginning on Thursday evening, Oct. 17, Christ Community Church invites you to come and find out as we begin a new Bible study entitled “Covenant-Knowing God’s Promises.” [Read more…]

Children’s Museum hosts chili cook-off

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ES&H at Children's Museum Chili Cook-off

Bill Garibay, president and chief executive officer of ES&H, joins staff members in preparing chili for the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge Chili Cook-off. With him, from left, are Erik Cueto, Bryan Byler, Dave O’Toole, Lynne Musick, and Jim Everett. (Submitted photo)

Chili teams are invited to cook a pot of their best chili, and the public is welcome to sample it, when the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge hosts its first annual Choo Choo Chili Cook-off on Sunday, Oct. 20.

As chili contestants vie for ribbons, the public may sample chili and enjoy hot dogs, cornbread and beverages that will be available during the cook-off, which will take place from 3-6 p.m. For children, pumpkin decorating and scarecrow activities will add to the fun afternoon. Admission for the cook-off and museum is $5.

Chili chefs may enter in one of five categories: vegetarian, meat, spicy, white and surprise ingredient. They will prepare chili off site and bring at least one gallon of chili in a crock pot for the event. Contestants must use non-processed ingredients, except for items such as tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco sauce. Contestants are asked to provide a team name and decorate a table. Fee for contestants is $25 per team. More than 20 teams are expected at the cook-off. [Read more…]

Possible changes in Tennessee judicial selections to be discussed at Lunch with the League

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Judy Cornett

Judy Cornett

A University of Tennessee law professor will discuss potential changes to Tennessee’s judicial selection process during a Lunch with the League meeting on Tuesday.

Judy Cornett is a distinguished professor at the University of Tennessee College of Law, and her presentation starts at noon Tuesday in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, located at 1500 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

In November 2014, Tennessee voters will vote on three proposed amendments to the Tennessee Constitution, a press release said. One proposed amendment would create a semi-federal system of selecting Tennessee’s appellate judges. This amendment would empower the governor to nominate a candidate, who would then be subject to confirmation by both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly. Cornett will discuss the history of the legislative battle over judicial selection and will analyze the proposed amendment, which has been touted as an alternative to popular election of appellate judges. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society has Owl Prowl on Oct. 26

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Owl Prowl

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will have its annual Owl Prowl on Saturday, Oct. 26.

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will have its annual Owl Prowl on Saturday, Oct. 26.

The Owl Prowl starts at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at the UT Arboretum at 901 S. Illinois Ave. (Highway 62) in Oak Ridge.

It will start at the Program Shelter with a program presented by the Clinch River Raptor Center, featuring owls found in East Tennessee. Kathy Strunk and Katie Cottrell will bring live birds for display and will give information about their natural history. [Read more…]

Grace Lutheran has candle lighting service for those with mental health issues

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Grace Lutheran Church of Oak Ridge will host a candle lighting service in support of those challenged by mental illness, substance use disorders, and other brain disorders at 5 p.m. Sunday. Everyone is welcome, and a special invitation is extended to family members, members of all area churches, community organizations, and the healing professions from neighboring counties.

One in four adults experiences a mental health problem in any given year, and 50 percent will experience this problem at some time during their lives. One in five young people aged 13 to 18 also experience mental illness. These numbers continue to grow.

“The church is in a unique position to provide a community of support for those who are in pain,” Pastor Steve Damos said. “We can provide solace and faith, and be compassionate advocates for those seeking recovery and wholeness.” [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society has fall plant sale Saturday

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University of Tennessee Arboretum Society Plant Sale

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society’s Fall Plant Sale is Saturday at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge.

The plant sale is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the arboretum, which is at 901 S. Illinois Ave.

“Fall is the ideal time to add plants to the landscape,” a press release said. “Milder temperatures, more dependable rainfall, and the fact that plants are not putting energy into their top growth, but devoting all their resources to developing a stronger root system, will give them a head start in the spring and a much better survival rate.” [Read more…]

Girl Scouts looking for adult volunteers in Anderson County

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With many girls looking for Girl Scout troops to become a part of amid a shortage of adult volunteers, the Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians invites adult volunteers to apply for a role within Anderson County’s network of active troops.

GSCSA reports that there is a waiting list of girls who want to become part of a troop within Anderson County but cannot due to a lack of enough adult volunteers.

“A lot of people don’t know that you don’t have to be the mom of a girl to be a Girl Scout volunteer,” said GSCSA Chief Executive Officer Booth Kammann. “Dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents, or anyone else looking to help girls in their community to learn and grow within a troop’s many activities and adventures is invited to apply for a volunteer role.” [Read more…]

Methodist church has Oct. 30 fundraising festival for Second Harvest

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Canned Food Labyrinth

Pictured above is a food labyrinth like the one that will be constructed at a Harvest Festival at First United Methodist Church on Oct. 30. (Submitted photo)

A fall festival at the end of this month will raise money for Second Harvest Food Bank.

The annual Harvest Festival is scheduled from 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, on the front lawn of First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge.

Children are encouraged to wear a costume and celebrate with crafts, games, inflatables, and face painting, a press release said.

Second Harvest is East Tennessee’s local food bank. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge fire chief to discuss risks, smoke alarms, exit plans

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Darryl Kerley

Darryl Kerley

Oak Ridge Fire Department Chief Darryl Kerley will discuss at-risk populations and the importance of smoke alarms and exit plans during a meeting this evening.

It’s the monthly meeting of the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association, and it starts at 7 p.m. today (Thursday) at the Midtown Community Center. The public is invited.

Kerley will talk about the city’s aging population being somewhat “at risk” and the importance of smoke alarms, exit plans, and personal information forms for residents with special needs at home during an emergency. [Read more…]

Choral concert at ORUUC tonight celebrates National Coming Out Day

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In celebration of National Coming Out Day, Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will present a choral concert headlined by the Knoxville Gay Men’s Chorus, under the direction of Freddie Brabson. The concert is at 7 p.m. today at ORUUC. Tickets are $5.

Proceeds will go to the Gay/Straight Alliance at Oak Ridge High School. ORUUC is located at 1500 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

There will also be featured performances by musicians from other area Unitarian Universalist churches, including the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church choir, the new Foothills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship choir, ORUUC’s own Mighty Choir, as well as musical selections from members of The Westside Unitarian Universalist Church. [Read more…]