Oak Ridge Today

Senior Citizens’ Day at Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Wednesday, Aug. 2

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The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Providence Road is pictured above. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Providence Road is pictured above. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

 

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will be hosting its first-ever Senior Citizens’ Day at the city’s outdoor pool next month.

The pool will be reserved exclusively for seniors age 50 and older on Wednesday, August 2, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., a press release said. The pool facility is located at 172 Providence Road.

Local life insurance company WoodmenLife will be on site as a sponsor, providing music and food for the event. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis while it lasts. [Read more…]

You can watch the total solar eclipse in the national parks

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Commemorative poster by artist and astronomer Tyler Nordgren (Submitted image)

Commemorative poster by artist and astronomer Tyler Nordgren (Submitted image)

 

On Monday, August 21, a total solar eclipse will be crossing the entire continental United States from Oregon to South Carolina. It has been named the Great All-American Total Solar Eclipse, a press release said.

Three local national parks—Obed Wild and Scenic River, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, and Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area—will collectively be offering six different viewing locations, with five of these locations being in the path of totality, the press release said.

The viewing locations include: [Read more…]

Park Service program on women of the Manhattan Project on Saturday, July 29

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Y-12 Calutron Girls

Women enriching uranium in calutrons at Y-12 as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project during World War II. This is the “Calutron Girls” photograph by Manhattan Project photographer Ed Westcott.

 

Join National Park Service staff for an interpretive program on women of the Manhattan Project at the American Museum of Science and Energy on Saturday, July 29.

The Manhattan Project National Historical Park will present the free program at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 29.

“The program will outline the life for women before, during, and after World War II,” a press release said. “Come learn about the women of the project and how they shaped the nation for future generations.” [Read more…]

Manhattan Project public program: Powering the Tennessee Valley at AMSE on July 21

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Submitted photo

Submitted photo

 

Join a park ranger for a talk on the Tennessee Valley Authority on Friday. The Manhattan Project National Historical Park will present the free program at 1 p.m. Friday, July 21, in the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge.

“During the program, we will discuss how the Tennessee Valley Authority changed the landscape and supported the war effort in East Tennessee,” a press release said.

The American Museum of Science and Energy is located at 300 South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge. Call (865) 576-6767 for directions.

“Join Manhattan Project National Historical Park and help us celebrate our centennial by finding your park in Oak Ridge, Tennessee,” the press release said. “Visitors are encouraged to visit our website for more information on the park at https://www.nps.gov/mapr/oakridge.htm.”

For more information or directions, contact the Manhattan Project National Historical Park at (865) 576-6767.

Melanie Fillauer, Rebecca Bowman are Agape House Chocolate Contest winners

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Melanie Fillauer, second from right, is the grand prize winner in the Agape House chocolate contest. With her are the contest judges, from left, Jeanne Gorman, Kelly Callison, and Elaine Graham. (Submitted photo)

Melanie Fillauer, second from right, is the grand prize winner in the Agape House chocolate contest. With her are the contest judges, from left, Jeanne Gorman, Kelly Callison, and Elaine Graham. (Submitted photo)

 

More than 130 chocolate lovers attended the recent “Evening of Everything Chocolate” in support of Agape House of Oak Ridge, a nonprofit organization providing transitional housing for the homeless.

The evening featured tables filled with chocolate desserts in the Social Hall of Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church and a chocolate dessert contest. This year’s grand prize winner for best chocolate dessert was Melanie Fillauer with her Jack Daniels fudge pie. It was the second win for Fillauer, who won the first chocolate contest sponsored by Agape House two years ago. She took home a gold medal and a gift certificate for dinner at Aubrey’s Restaurant.

Rebecca Bowman won second place in the contest with her cookies with a kick. Judges were Jeanne Gorman, last year’s gold medal winner; Kelly Callison, Oak Ridge City Council member and chief operating officer of Information International Associates; and Elaine Graham, owner of Estate Sales Professionals, or the “Purple Van People.”

“Agape House counts on this annual fundraiser to produce 35 percent of our budget, and we are glad to announce that we achieved this goal this year,” said Michael McCutcheon, Agape House director. “We thank our sponsors, our ticket sellers, our volunteers, and all our ticket buyers for helping us help our struggling homeless neighbors.” [Read more…]

Butterfly Festival at UT Arboretum on Saturday, July 29

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Submitted photo

Submitted photo

Monarch release, UT Insect Zoo, speakers, and children’s activities are highlights

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will present its Second Annual Butterfly Festival on Saturday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the UT Arboretum Auditorium and surrounding grounds, 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.  It is cosponsored by the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center. The gate will be open at 9:30 a.m., with coffee and donuts available.  The event will take place rain or shine, a press release said.

The event, which drew hundreds of area participants in 2016, is designed for children and adults of all ages. There is ample parking in designated areas of the Arboretum adjacent to the event, the press release said.

The day’s highlight will be the release of 100 butterflies, some at noon and the remainder at 2 p.m.

“We invite children to help release the monarch butterflies, which will be offered at a cost of $10 per butterfly,” the press release said. Cash or credit cards will be accepted.

Nationally recognized author Rita Venable is the keynote speaker. An award-winning writer, photographer, and butterfly expert, Rita will speak about “Small-scale Butterfly Gardening” at 10 a.m. At 1 p.m., she will speak on “Butterflies of Tennessee,” the subject of her popular book. Her book will be available for purchase and signing, the press release said. [Read more…]

UCOR Oak Ridge Velo Classic bike races are July 22-23

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2017-Oak-Ridge-Velo-Classic-Family-Wellness-Festival

The Tenth Annual UCOR Oak Ridge Velo Classic bicycle racing event will take place on Saturday, July 22, and Sunday, July 23. It will feature the 2017 State Championship Road Races.

The Velo Classic has become a “must-do” event for hundreds of competitive cyclists from throughout Tennessee and around the Southeast, a press release said.

The road races will be staged from the East Tennessee Technology Park on Saturday, July 22, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The final road race that day begins at 1 p.m. The time trial event is also staged at ETTP and begins on Saturday at 3:30 and runs for about an hour.

The criterium races, likened to “NASCAR on bikes,” will take place on a one-mile course at the Horizon Center on Sunday, July 23, beginning at 8:30 a.m., with the last race of the day beginning at 4:20 p.m. [Read more…]

Free suicide prevention training at Grace Lutheran on Saturday

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Danielle Roach

Danielle Roach

 

The Grace Lutheran Church of Oak Ridge’s Mental Health Ministry will host a free community program on suicide prevention training on Saturday, July 15, at 10:30 a.m. in the church’s fellowship hall. Childcare will be provided.

Community health practitioner Danielle Roach, through association with the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN), will be the instructor, a press release said. Roach has worked at a community mental health center for the past 16 years. In addition to suicide prevention training, she as taught verbal and physical de-escalation techniques, CPR, and newborn care Safety/CPR classes for the last 12 years at a local hospital.

According to the TSPN website, this training, known as QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), is a program designed to teach lay people and professionals alike how to prevent suicide.

Grace Lutheran Church is located at 131 West Gettysburg Avenue in Oak Ridge. For more information about the program or the Mental Health Ministry, contact the church office at (865) 483-3787.

Dr. Crane to discuss Lewy body dementia at Courtyards Senior Living on July 18

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Dr. Monica Crane

Dr. Monica Crane

 

Dr. Monica Crane, a fellowship-trained geriatric medicine physician with special expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, will discuss “Lewy Body Dementia” at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, at The Courtyards Senior Living at 801 East Inskip Drive in Knoxville.

The public is invited to attend the free talk in the Hearthside Chat speaker series at The Courtyards Senior Living, which operates assisted living and dedicated memory care facilities in Oak Ridge, Knoxville, and Johnson City, a press release said. To reserve a seat for the July 18 program, send an e-mail to Jody Daugherty at jody@courtyardseniorliving.com or call (865) 357-1660.

Crane, medical director for The Courtyards, will continue to present informative talks on aging at The Courtyards on a regular basis, the press release said. She is also the founder and medical director of Genesis Neuroscience Clinic, at 1400 Dowell Springs Boulevard in Knoxville. The clinic provides comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and clinical trial opportunities for those with cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative dementias. [Read more…]

Free Medical Clinic’s FMC Bash: Auctions, dinner, dance contest on Aug. 12

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Some of the dancers who will compete at the FMC Bash on Aug. 12, 2017, are, from left in front, Brianna Sprunger, Heidi O'Steen and Cande Seay; from left in the middle row, Laura Lynn Riden and Leslie England; and from left in back, David Vudragovich, Bruce England, and Hans Vogel. (Submitted photo)

Some of the dancers who will compete at the FMC Bash on Aug. 12, 2017, are, from left in front, Brianna Sprunger, Heidi O’Steen and Cande Seay; from left in the middle row, Laura Lynn Riden and Leslie England; and from left in back, David Vudragovich, Bruce England, and Hans Vogel. (Submitted photo)

 

Submitted

The best party in town, many attendees have said! A lively dance contest, delicious dinner, drinks, and delightful auction items. A Hawaiian sunset theme. Dance music by popular disc jockey Dave King. Casual attire.

Elaine Graham, the entertaining emcee and auctioneer and 2016 dance contest winner, will run the show, the annual “fun” fundraiser for the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge. FMCOR volunteers and staff will present the FMC Bash on Saturday, August 12, from 5 to 10 p.m. in the Parish Life Center of St. Mary’s Church, 327 Vermont Avenue, according to an FMCOR press release.

The dance contestants include Leslie and Bruce England of Jada Blade, Hans Vogel, Cande Seay, Laura Lynn Riden, Ruby Miller, Heidi Osteen, David Vudragovich, Briana Sprunger, Samantha and Matt Berven. You can “vote” now and that evening on the amazing and amusing Oak Ridge dancers as they compete in the celebrity dance contest.

The live auction, to be officiated by “Bear” Stephenson, will include big items such as a week’s stay in Maui, Hawaii, in a two-bedroom, two-bath condo that sleeps six and sits on the beach; an incredible Indian experience for eight at the home of Ginny and Sam Basseen that features an authentic Indian dinner, traditional Indian dancers, and more; a week’s stay in a two-bedroom, two-bath condo that sleeps eight and is in Crescent Beach, Florida, near historic St. Augustine; a dinner in the garden for 30 that offers wine, food and fun, and an evening of Hawaiian hospitality with dinner for 20. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge could set up committee to celebrate its 75th anniversary

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Y-12 Calutron Girls

Women enriching uranium in calutrons at Y-12 as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project during World War II. The 75th anniversary of the city that became Oak Ridge and still includes Y-12 is Sept. 19, 2017. (Photo by Ed Westcott)

 

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday will consider setting up a committee to celebrate the city’s 75th anniversary.

Oak Ridge’s birthday has been recognized on September 19. That’s because the city that is now Oak Ridge was picked for the top-secret Manhattan Project on September 19, 1942, almost 75 years ago. That was the day that General Leslie Groves approved the acquisition of 59,000 acres of land along the Clinch River for what soon became the Manhattan Project, a federal program to build the world’s first atomic bombs, before Germany could. Oak Ridge was then 90 square miles of East Tennessee farmland. It was the first site for Manhattan Project facilities.

By the time President Franklin Delano Roosevelt authorized the Manhattan Project on December 28, 1942, work on the East Tennessee site where the first production facilities were to be built was already under way.

Oak Ridge became the home of two uranium enrichment plants (K-25 and Y-12), a liquid thermal diffusion plant (S-50), and a pilot plutonium production reactor (X-10 Graphite Reactor). Groves approved Oak Ridge as the site for the pilot plutonium plant and the uranium enrichment plant in 1942. Manhattan Project engineers had to quickly build a town to accommodate 30,000 workers—as well as build the enormously complex plants. [Read more…]

Council to consider contract to convert former railroad into greenway

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The former CSX railway is pictured near Jefferson Middle School in central Oak Ridge on Dec. 30, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The former CSX railway is pictured near Jefferson Middle School in central Oak Ridge on Dec. 30, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday will consider a $1.5 million contract with the Tennessee Department of Transportation that would allow a former railroad to be converted into a greenway.

The so-called Rails to Trails project would convert about 4.85 miles of unused CSX railroad into a pedestrian and bicycle trail.

The former railroad starts at Elza Gate Park at Melton Lake Drive in east Oak Ridge, runs past the Emory Heights neighborhood and Jefferson Middle School, crosses Emory Valley Road near Hank’s Market, and then continues through the Hendrix Creek neighborhood along Lafayette Drive before ending near South Illinois Avenue, Scarboro Road, and the Y-12 National Security Complex.

The Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) approved $1.224 million for the project in October 2016 through the Transportation Alternative Program, or TAP. There is a local match of $306,000. The combined funding from the TAP award and the local match is $1.53 million.

In an interview after the grant was awarded, Ellen Zavisca, senior transportation planner for the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization, said it’s federal funds disbursed in the area specifically for projects that provide safe places for bicycle and pedestrian projects. [Read more…]