Oak Ridge Today

Community invited to ‘Step into Auction’ church fundraiser

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With an arm’s long list of unique items and services that includes a llama walk in the Smokies, a fly fishing lesson/excursion, a 1992 Ford Taurus Wagon, getaways, computer geek services, four course dinners that include wine a and food pairing, a back porch summer soiree on the river that will feature a trout dinner, various ethnic meals, and paintings and pottery by local artisans among the offerings up for bid, the “Step into Auction” promises to be a fun filled evening, a press release said.

The community is invited to attend the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church fundraiser on Friday, May 19, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. in the Social Hall of the church located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Entry is $5 for adults. Children are free.

Music from ORUUC’s own “Bifolkals” will kick off the evening, the press release said. Then it’s on to hors d’oeuvres, magic performed by Nick Roberts, door prizes, and silent and live auctions. Drinks will be available for purchase. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool open for Memorial Day weekend

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Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge

Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge

 

The Oak Ridge Outdoor Swimming Pool will be open to the public over Memorial Day weekend this year, Saturday, May 27, through Monday, May 29, from noon to 6 p.m. each day.

This will be a “soft opening” over the holiday weekend, with the pool being closed for the three days following Memorial Day, from Tuesday, May 30, to Thursday, June 1, a press release said. The outdoor pool will then open for normal summer hours starting Friday, June 2. [Read more…]

Ray Smith selected to serve on Tennessee Historical Commission

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D. Ray Smith (Submitted photo)

D. Ray Smith (Submitted photo)

 

Ray Smith, historian for the City of Oak Ridge and the Y-12 National Security Complex, has been selected to serve on the Tennessee Historical Commission, a press release said.

It’s the first time an Oak Ridger has been selected to serve on the Tennessee Historical Commission, the press release said.

There are 20 members from across the state, and a balanced mix of members is maintained to best represent the entire state on the commission, the release said.

It said Oak Ridge contributes to the State of Tennessee in a number of significant ways, including economic development and heritage and science tourism. [Read more…]

Dick Smyser Lecture on Thursday features science educator discussing total solar eclipse

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Chap Percival (Submitted photo)

Chap Percival (Submitted photo)

The 20th Annual Dick Smyser Community Lecture Series opens on Thursday, May 18, and it will feature Chap Percival, a science educator from Sarasota, Florida.

Percival will talk about the total solar eclipse that will occur on August 21. The title of his presentation is “Go See the Eclipse.”

This event is co-sponsored by the Oak Ridge Isochronous Observation Network (ORION), the National Park Sevice (NPS), and Friends of ORNL (FORNL), a press release said.

It’s free of charge, and it will be held at the American Museum of Science and Energy, which is at 300 South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge. A reception will be held in the museum lobby starting at 5:30 p.m. (snacks will be served), and the lecture will start at 6 p.m. in the museum auditorium.

“This talk should be of interest to students and the general public,” the press release said.

Percival is a lifelong educator. He lives in Sarasota, Florida. He has a BA in mathematics and physics from Taylor University, an MAT in planetarium education from Michigan State University, and an MEd in instructional technology from the University of Virginia, the press release said. [Read more…]

Area care line seeks volunteers to make calls to seniors

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CNS Y-12 recently presented a check for launch of new program for Knox area senior citizens to Contact Care Line. Pictured from left are Alison Sides, secretary of the CNS-Y12 Advisory Committee; Helen Morton, vice president of the Board of Contact Care Line; Bruce Marshall, executive director of Contact Care Line; and Mike Fierley, chair of the CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund Advisory Committee. (Submitted photo)

CNS Y-12 recently presented a check for launch of new program for Knox area senior citizens to Contact Care Line. Pictured from left are Alison Sides, secretary of the CNS Y-12 Advisory Committee; Helen Morton, vice president of the Board of Contact Care Line; Bruce Marshall, executive director of Contact Care Line; and Mike Fierley, chair of the CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund Advisory Committee. (Submitted photo)

 

Reassurance Contact, an Oak Ridge-based service of local nonprofit Contact Care Line, is seeking caring individuals to volunteer a few hours each week to make calls to elderly Anderson and Knox County residents who live alone, a press release said.

“Volunteers donate a few hours one day a week to make social and safety calls to senior citizens who can use a cheerful moment in their day, a quick check that they are safe, and perhaps a reminder to take their medicine,” the press release said.

It said nearly 20 percent of the area’s population is 65 or older and 43 percent of those in this age group have a disability.

“Surveys reveal that seniors prefer to remain in their own homes as they age,” the press release said. “But safety concerns, coupled with social isolation, threaten the capacity of seniors to live on their own. Reassurance Contact addresses these issues, allowing senior residents to remain in the own residences as long as possible.”

The launch of this new program is helped by a $9,000 grant from the CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund at East Tennessee Foundation, the press release said. [Read more…]

Landlord summit for Anderson County landlords on Friday

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There will be a free landlord summit for all Anderson County landlords in Oak Ridge on Friday.

The landlord summit is being hosted by Tennessee Valley Continuum of Care. It is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, May 19, at the Scarboro Community Center, which is at 148 Carver Avenue in Oak Ridge. The event will include a free continental breakfast, which will begin at 8:30 a.m., a press release said. Reservations are not required.

The press release said landlords are encouraged to attend because many helpful topics will be offered, including:

  • MORE2 (Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient)—These are energy-saving upgrades available to Oak Ridge homes for lower income home owners and renters.
  • Housing Choice Voucher Program—Learn how landlords can secure rental payments by participating in this program.
  • Case Management—Learn how case management from various nonprofit organizations can help your tenant be successful in housing.
  • Free Legal Information—Learn about new housing laws, eviction requirements, fair housing, and other valuable topics.

[Read more…]

League of Women Voters lobbyist will review actions in state legislature this year

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Stewart Clifton

Stewart Clifton

Stewart Clifton, lobbyist for the League of Women Voters of Tennessee, will review major actions in the state legislature this year during a lunchtime talk in Oak Ridge on Tuesday.

Stewart Clifton will be the guest speaker at Lunch with the League on Tuesday, May 16, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, which is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The community is invited to attend.

In this presentation, he will review important actions of the recently completed Tennessee General Assembly, a press release said. Some attention will be given to a discussion of legislative advocacy skills. There will be time for questions and answers, the release said.

Lunch with the League is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge, and it is open to the public. There is no cost to attend, and reservations are not needed, the press release said. Box lunches will be available starting at 11:30 a.m. on a first-come basis for $8, or you may bring your own. Coffee and tea are provided. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge will host American Cornhole state championships in June

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The American Cornhole Organization will have the 2017 Tennessee State Championships of Cornhole at the Oak Ridge Civic Center on June 16 and 17, 2017. (Submitted photo)

The American Cornhole Organization will have the 2017 Tennessee State Championships of Cornhole at the Oak Ridge Civic Center on June 16 and 17, 2017. (Submitted photo)

 

Oak Ridge will host the state cornhole championships in June.

The American Cornhole Organization will have the 2017 Tennessee State Championships of Cornhole at the Oak Ridge Civic Center on June 16 and 17, a press release said.

The ACO is the worldwide governing body and professional organization for the cornhole sport, the release said.

The state championships in June were announced by Explore Oak Ridge on Friday.

Members of the public can test their skill by participating in the public open tournament, Big Blind Luck Draw, starting at 8 p.m. Friday, June 16, the press release said. Registration for the tournament is from 4-7:30 p.m. The entry fee is $10. The prize purse is $200 for first, $80 for second, and $20 for third, the release said.

“The American Cornhole Organization is one of the fastest-growing sports organizations in the country, garnering a lot of national attention,” said Steve Winfree, Explore Oak Ridge sales manager. [Read more…]

Veterans Breakfasts have one-year anniversary on Saturday

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The next Veterans Breakfast is Saturday, and it’s the one-year anniversary of the monthly breakfasts for military veterans from Anderson County.

The Saturday breakfast, hosted by Anderson County residents, is sponsored this month by Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally and Representative John Ragan, a press release said. The breakfast will be held this Saturday, May 13, at the Clinton Community Center. “Chow line” opens at 8:30 a.m., and there will be a brief program at 9 a.m.

“All of the Veterans Breakfasts will recognize and honor local veterans and their families for their service to the United States,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Manhattan Project public program: Ride with a ranger, learn about Oak Ridge history on Saturday

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Join a park ranger for a bike ride on the North Boundary Greenway in Oak Ridge to see how the former communities of the area have changed during the past 70 years. The Manhattan Project National Historical Park will present a free program at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 29, 2017. (Photo courtesy National Park Service)

You can join a park ranger for a bicycle ride and learn more about the history of Oak Ridge on Melton Lake Greenway on Saturday morning, May 13, 2017. (Photo courtesy National Park Service)

 

You can join a park ranger for a bicycle ride and learn more about the history of Oak Ridge on Melton Lake Greenway on Saturday morning.

The free program is presented by the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. It will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 13, at Elza Gate Park, former entry point to the “Secret City,” and continue down Melton Lake Greenway.

“Rangers will stop several times along the bike ride to point out the rich history that is found within the Oak Ridge area,” a press release said. [Read more…]

ORHPA has Museum Appreciation Day at AMSE today

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American Museum of Science and Energy Sign

Come out on May 11, 2017, and show appreciation for the American Museum of Science and Energy and express your personal appreciation to the staff, ORHPA said. (Photo by ORHPA)

 

The Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association is having a Museum Appreciation Day for the American Museum of Science and Energy on Thursday, May 11.

The Museum Appreciation Day is is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 11, at AMSE, which is at 300 South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge.

The Museum Appreciation Day is being held in place of the ORHPA’s regular monthly meeting normally, which is in the evening on the second Thursday of each month.

“The ORHPA encourages all its members and the public to come out and thank the AMSE staff for decades of excellent work, creating a museum that is a top destination for visitors to Oak Ridge,” a press release said. “While visiting, you’ll have a chance to give comments on what the AMSE means to you.” [Read more…]

State budget includes $100,000 for Green McAdoo Cultural Center in Clinton

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Green-McAdoo-Cultural-Center

The recently passed Tennessee budget includes $100,000 for the maintenance, restoration, and operation of the Green McAdoo Cultural Center in Clinton, a press release said.

The funds were secured in the budget by Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally and Representative John Ragan, both Oak Ridge Republicans, the press release said.

The Green McAdoo Cultural Center commemorates the Clinton 12, the first black students to integrate a public high school in the South, the release said.

“The story of the Clinton 12 is a pivotal event in the history of our state and our region that must never be forgotten,” Ragan said in the press release. “The Green McAdoo Cultural Center serves an important function in our community to remind us of this important history. I am proud the state will play a part in furthering the important mission of the center.” [Read more…]