Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge Chamber’s Christmas Parade award winners announced

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The Southern Alliance Dance Company (SADC), winner of the Director's Award, clogged a Christmas routine on the parade route. (Photo courtesy Ray Smith)

The Southern Alliance Dance Company (SADC), winner of the Director’s Award, clogged a Christmas routine on the parade route in the 2017 Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade. (Photo courtesy Ray Smith)

 

A cold, snowy night seemed a fitting way to celebrate one of Oak Ridge’s favorite tradition—the Oak Ridge Christmas Parade. Approximately 120 entries participated in the parade. This year’s parade theme was “A Toyland Christmas” and was a part of the 75th Anniversary Celebration of Oak Ridge.

Judges awarded seven awards following the parade: [Read more…]

Manhattan Project Park has World War II Film Festival on Jan. 13

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Photo courtesy National Park Service

Photo courtesy National Park Service

The Manhattan Project National Historical Park will have a National Parks World War II Film Festival on Saturday, January 13, at the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge.

During the festival, the National Park Service will present films from national park sites that commemorate events and issues related to World War II, a press release said.

“National parks tell the stories of America’s World War II experience—from Pearl Harbor to the war’s atomic end,” the press release said. “The range of our nation’s national parks show how a resilient America mobilized its people to triumph over tyranny, explore places where technological and social barriers collapsed, confront the war’s darker legacies, and stand atop soils where American blood was shed, coastlines defended, and valor was memorialized forever. Across the nation, national park sites help tell the story of our nation during World War II and help us ensure President Truman’s promise that ‘America will never forget their sacrifices’ will always hold true.” [Read more…]

Manhattan Project Park has open house at Children’s Museum on Jan. 24

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The National Park Service, U.S. Department of Energy, and Children's Museum of Oak Ridge will have an open house celebration at the Children's Museum from 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2017, to celebrate the Manhattan Project National Historical Park’s newest location for providing information about the park. (Photo by Manhattan Project National Historical Park)

The National Park Service, U.S. Department of Energy, and Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will have an open house celebration at the Children’s Museum from 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2017, to celebrate the Manhattan Project National Historical Park’s newest location for providing information about the park. (Photo by Manhattan Project National Historical Park)

 

Note: This story was updated at 4:30 p.m.

The National Park Service, U.S. Department of Energy, and Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will have an open house celebration at the Children’s Museum from 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, January 24, to celebrate the Manhattan Project National Historical Park’s newest location for providing information about the park. Admission to the museum will be free during this event, a press release said.

This celebration will also feature a Parks in Focus photography exhibit that will be a tribute to Ed Westcott, the press release said. The exhibit will feature photographs taken by third- and fourth-grade girls from Girls Inc. of Oak Ridge using the Parks in Focus program curriculum, with inspiration from the black-and-white photography of Westcott. The Udall Foundation, based in Tucson, Arizona, created the Parks in Focus program to connect youth from under-served communities to nature through photography, environmental education, outdoor recreation, and creative expressions. This year-long program has been connecting youth of Oak Ridge to the rich history of the Manhattan Project through the lens of a camera, the press release said. [Read more…]

NNSA Production Office donated 43,398 pounds of food for Annual Feds Feed Families campaign

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Employees of the National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office, or NPO, donated 43,398 pounds of food as part of the annual U.S. Department of Energy’s Feds Feed Families, or FFF, campaign.

The NPO FFF donations are supporting the efforts of the High Plains Food Bank, Amarillo, Texas, and the Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, a press release said.

“I’m extremely proud and moved by the generosity of NPO employees. These donations will have an important impact for those in need in East Tennessee and the Texas Panhandle,” said Geoff Beausoleil, NPO manager. [Read more…]

Hammond, Howerton receive 2017 Postma Young Professionals Awards

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Reverend Derrick Hammond, left, and Consolidated Nuclear Security’s Senior Director of Transformation J. Travis Howerton were named the latest winners of the Herman and Pat Postma Young Professionals Award by the East Tennessee Economic Council at the annual awards celebration held Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Oak Ridge. (Photos courtesy East Tennessee Economic Council)

Reverend Derrick Hammond, left, and Consolidated Nuclear Security’s Senior Director of Transformation J. Travis Howerton were named the latest winners of the Herman and Pat Postma Young Professionals Award by the East Tennessee Economic Council at the annual awards celebration held Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Oak Ridge. (Photos courtesy ETEC)

Reverend Derrick Hammond and CNS’s senior director of transformation J. Travis Howerton were named the latest winners of the Herman and Pat Postma Young Professionals Award by the East Tennessee Economic Council at the annual awards celebration held Friday, December 8, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Oak Ridge.

The Postma Young Professional Medal was created by the East Tennessee Economic Council to honor the accomplishments of young professionals who have made an impact and fostered a community culture in the region. Former Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Herman Postma epitomized this spirit during his life; and his wife, Pat, continues the tradition of service today through her involvement in the Oak Ridge community, a press release said.

Pat Postma and Ted Sherry made the award presentations.

The Postma Medal, however, is about more than outstanding work, the press release said. [Read more…]

No timetable for return to Anderson County Senior Center

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Photo via WYSH Radio in Clinton

Photo via WYSH Radio in Clinton

 

Information from WYSH Radio

Officials say there is no firm timetable for when seniors might be able to return to the Anderson County Senior Center at 205 Main Street in Clinton.

Anderson County Office on Aging and Senior Center Director Cherie Phillips said estimates are being sought from companies interested in removing black mold from the administrative area of the Senior Center, which was purchased earlier this year for $600,000. Once the bid is awarded and the cleanup completed, another company will likely have to come in and check air quality as well as determine if there are any other issues that need to be addressed before the facility can open back up for daily use. [Read more…]

Give the gift of hope through financial donations to Ecumenical Storehouse

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Your end-of-the-year financial donation can help make a big difference for Ecumenical Storehouse, the organization that is best known for seeking donations of household items for distribution to people in need, a press release said.

But what many don’t know is that financial contributions are always greatly appreciated by the nonprofit, all-volunteer organization to help pay for operating expenses and for scarce items particularly in need, such as heaters and blankets, during cold weather.

Many of the clients served are from among the vast number of Appalachian poor in the area; others have lost everything in a fire or natural disaster; still others were formally in abusive situations and need emergency assistance to establish a new home, the press release said. Clients are referred to Ecumenical Storehouse by various social service agencies and churches. [Read more…]

Senior Center offers free guitar lessons

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Guitar Intermediate Class

Free guitar lessons for senior citizens will begin with an orientation class on Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, at 10 a.m., at the Oak Ridge Senior Center, which is at the Oak Ridge Civic Center at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike. This is a picture of a previous intermediate guitar class. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

 

Free guitar lessons for senior citizens will begin with an orientation class on Friday, January 5, 2018, at 10 a.m., at the Oak Ridge Senior Center.

Regular classes will begin on Friday, January 19, 2018, and are open to area seniors age 50 and older. All levels of guitar players are welcome, a press release said.

Beginner’s lessons start at 9 a.m. with intermediate lessons to follow. Bass guitar lessons are also included. Wendall Cook, who has many years of experience playing and teaching, will conduct the lessons, the press release said. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society has New Year’s Walk on Jan. 1

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The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society has its Fourth Annual New Year's Walk at the UT Arboretum at 901 S. Illinois Ave. in Oak Ridge on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. (Photo by UT Arboretum Society)

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society has its Fourth Annual New Year’s Walk at the UT Arboretum at 901 S. Illinois Ave. in Oak Ridge on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. (Photo by UT Arboretum Society)

 

If you are overloaded on football, food, and festivities, the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society is offering a great alternative: The Fourth Annual New Year’s Walk at the UT Arboretum on Monday, January 1, 2018.

The arboretum is at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

“Start out the year on the ‘right foot’ by joining the walk that begins at 9:30 a.m. at the UT Arboretum Auditorium, where you will be greeted by fellow hikers and offered coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks,” a press release said. “At 10 a.m. the group will leave for a guided walk that will last about 45 minutes. The hike will follow a forest trail and will visit the Elmore Holly Collection, giving participants the opportunity to see the hollies still covered with berries.

“This is an easy walk on the trails and is suitable for all ages. The Arboretum Society encourages everyone to come out to enjoy an outdoor respite before heading home to watch the bowl games on TV.”

This is a free program offered by the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society. [Read more…]

CNS Y-12 community fund announces $150,000 in grants to 16 nonprofits

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Anderson County EMS received a grant from the CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund. The grants were announced on Dec. 6, 2017. (Photo by CNS Y-12)

Anderson County EMS received a grant from the CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund. The grants were announced on Dec. 6, 2017. (Photo by CNS Y-12)

 

Sixteen nonprofit organizations in 11 East Tennessee counties received roughly $150,000 in grants from the Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC (CNS) Y-12 Community Investment Fund.

Anderson County EMS was among the grant recipients. The recipients were announced during a December 6 reception at Y-12’s New Hope Center.

Consolidated Nuclear Security manages and operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas. The CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund is managed by the East Tennessee Foundation, and it was created in 2014 by CNS. A similar fund is managed by the Amarillo Area Foundation, a press release said. [Read more…]

Cantata ‘Joy’ & special singer presented by Grace Lutheran Church

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Colette Boudreaux

Colette Boudreaux

 

Christmas 2017 brings in a wealth of musical experiences old and new at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Oak Ridge.

“Joy,” the cantata by Joel Raney, will be presented by the Chancel Choir on December 17 at the traditional service at 11:15 a.m.

Then on December 24, two Christmas Eve services will feature special music by the bell choir and youth choir, plus the late service will feature Colette Boudreaux, an operatic soprano from the New York area. The family service begins at 7 p.m. on December 24, and the Candlelight service begins at 9 p.m.

Boudreaux, who grew up in Knoxville, will sing “Rejoice Greatly” from Handel’s Messiah. Boudreaux keeps a busy performing schedule, and she also teaches voice and dance, is a professional choreographer, and to pay forward what she has learned, directs productions for high schools that have no formal theater programs. She recently started a professional theatre company in Easton, Pennsylvania, along with her husband, John Andreadis. Everyone is invited to attend. [Read more…]

Council to discuss AMSE project, Y-12/UPF power lines on Tuesday

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AMSE Sign

The American Museum of Science and Energy is at 300 South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge. (File photo by Sara Wise)

 

The Oak Ridge City Council on Tuesday will discuss the project to move the American Museum of Science and Energy from its current home on South Tulane Avenue to Main Street Oak Ridge.

Oak Ridge Today reported in November that construction documents had been submitted for the new museum at Main Street Oak Ridge, the 58-acre project to redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall. It’s not clear when AMSE might open at its new home at Main Street Oak Ridge, but it will continue to be at its current location, where it’s been since the mid-1970s, past the end of the year.

AMSE is relocating to space that will be renovated in a two-story building that once housed a Sears Roebuck store next to JCPenney at what is now Main Street Oak Ridge. That planned move is part of an agreement that was signed by the city and DOE in December 2016. Under that agreement, the 17-acre AMSE site was to be transferred from the U.S. Department of Energy to the City of Oak Ridge.

The city is, in turn, transferring the AMSE property in two phases to TN Oak Ridge Illinois LLC. That company was set up by RealtyLink, the developer of Main Street Oak Ridge.

The southernmost 7.44 acres of the AMSE site have already been transferred to TN Oak Ridge Illinois LLC. In November, the Oak Ridge City Council unanimously approved a rezoning for that property, which could be developed with a grocery store, retail shops, and restaurants.

[Read more…]