Oak Ridge Today

‘Everything Chocolate’ evening on April 29 supports Agape House of Oak Ridge

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A chocolate fountain coats fruit and marshmallows in sweet chocolate.

A chocolate fountain coats fruit and marshmallows in sweet chocolate.

 

Sample chocolate desserts, savor the flavors, and support Agape House of Oak Ridge at its third annual “An Evening of Everything Chocolate” on Saturday, April 29.

The event will feature tables filled with chocolate culinary temptations from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Social Hall of Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike, a press release said. Guests will indulge in fudge, chocolate-covered potato chips and popcorn, truffles, chocolate-dipped fruit, brownies, and other special treats, including fresh baked-on-site chocolate chip cookies. Coffee, sipping chocolate, and water will also be served.

All proceeds will go to the direct support of Agape House, a nonprofit organization that provides transitional housing for the homeless, the press release said. Since opening in 2014, Agape House has helped 36 homeless families or individuals with short-term, temporary housing, and other support services as they work with agencies to gain self-sufficiency.

“Because of support from the community, 36 families have had their lives positively changed and are now on a path to self-sufficiency, with positive future stories to tell,” said Michael McCutcheon, director of Agape House of Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Five ways to foster resilience in young children

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By Marjorie Alcorn: Home Visitor Healthy Families Tennessee/Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee East Region

Resilience is defined as the ability to thrive, adapt and cope despite tough and stressful times. It’s a natural counterweight to negative events children experience commonly called adverse childhood experiences. The more a child learns to be resilient, the more likely they are to deal with negative experiences in a healthy way that won’t have unfavorable outcomes over their lifetime.

We aren’t born resilient. It’s actually a skill that can be taught, learned, and practiced. Every child has the ability to become resilient if surrounded by the right environments and people. As a parent or caregiver of young children, here are a few ways you can foster resilience in the little ones you love so much. [Read more…]

Project Linus Blanket Day is April 22; organizers donating blankets to children

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Project Linus Blanket Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 22, at Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge. Organizers said they’re nearing their goal of donating 30,000 blankets to children in traumatic situations.

A Blanket Day is a gathering of friends, family, volunteers, and others to knit, crochet, quilt, or sew blankets, a press release said.

“Can’t sew? Don’t worry we have plenty for you to do—you can help sew labels, check blankets or even learn to ‘tie’ a quilt,” the press release said. “Feel free to bring your crocheting or knitting to work on—there will be a nice lounge area for this. Or, just stop by to learn more about Project Linus of East TN and how we are nearing our goal of donating 30,000 blankets to children in traumatic situations.”

Registration is not required, but organizers would like you to RSVP so they can plan. There is no cost for the Blanket Day. Snacks and drinks will be available throughout the day. [Read more…]

Holocaust Remembrance program on April 23

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Mira Kimmelman

Mira Kimmelman

The City of Oak Ridge has proclaimed April 23 to be Holocaust Remembrance Day for 2017.

The Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge, or JCOR, and the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, or ORUUC, have partnered together to study the Holocaust and to conduct a Holocaust Memorial Service. The service will be held from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the JCOR Sanctuary at 101 West Madison Lane in Oak Ridge on April 23. There will be a candle lighting ceremony conducted by Mira Kimmelman, as well as song, readings, and prayers.

The Holocaust Memorial Service is a community service sponsored by the Oak Ridge Interfaith Partnership, and the public is encouraged to attend, a press release said. The Oak Ridge Interfaith Partnership is a new community organization based out of ORUUC, and it is designed to bring people from different religious backgrounds together so that the group can educate, eliminate prejudice, and build a stronger community, the press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Farmers Market opens Saturday

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Farmers Market

The Oak Ridge Farmers Market opens for the season in Jackson Square at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 15. It will be open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, and from 3 p.m. to sellout on Wednesdays starting June 7. (File photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Farmers Market opens for the season in Jackson Square on Saturday, April 15.

The Farmers Market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. It will be open from 3 p.m. to sellout on Wednesday starting June 7.

The farmers markets are operated by the East Tennessee Farmers Association for Retail Marketing, or FARM. FARM celebrated its 40th anniversary last fall.

According to FARM history, two law students from the University of Tennessee and Vanderbilt University organized Food Fairs in 1976 that would bring farmers together to eventually create the Farmers Association for Retail Marketing.

“The primary objectives of the project were to increase income for family farmers in Tennessee by providing new markets and to get fresh, homegrown produce to urban consumers at fair prices,” the FARM history said. [Read more…]

SIRA Regatta in Oak Ridge this weekend

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The 2016 SIRA Championship Regatta is pictured in Oak Ridge on Sunday, April 17, 2016. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association, or SIRA, Regatta is in Oak Ridge this weekend. The regatta started Friday, April 14, and it will end Saturday, April 15.

It’s hosted by the Oak Ridge Rowing Association. It’s the 49th annual SIRA Regatta in Oak Ridge, a press release said.

“Few partnerships have stood the test of time like that of SIRA and Oak Ridge,” said the press release, which was from Explore Oak Ridge.

This year, the regatta will feature 59 teams from 12 states.

“This is the largest regatta in SIRA history for an Easter weekend,” said Sarah McAuliffe, Oak Ridge Rowing Association regatta director.  “We are looking forward to a great weekend of rowing.”

The race distance is 2,000 meters, or about 1.25 miles. You can view the start line from Calhoun’s restaurant on Melton Lake Drive. Teams cross the finish line downstream at the UT-Battelle Rowing Tower. Coaches and spectators can now view races from start to finish with no obstructions because of the recent completion of the eighth lane, the press release said. [Read more…]

Second year of Arts & Antiques in the Square kicks off April 29

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The second year of Arts & Antiques in the Square kicks off Saturday, April 29, in Jackson Square. Vendor spaces are available, and you can have items appraised at the kickoff. Pictured above are Linda Johnston, right, owner of Through the Looking Glass Antiques and Collectibles and Meghan O'Neal of Southern Bliss Boutique. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The second year of Arts & Antiques in the Square kicks off Saturday, April 29, in Jackson Square. Vendor spaces are available, and you can have items appraised at the kickoff. Pictured above are Linda Johnston, right, owner of Through the Looking Glass Antiques and Collectibles, and Meghan O’Neal of Southern Bliss Boutique. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The second year of Arts & Antiques in the Square kicks off Saturday, April 29, in Jackson Square. Vendor spaces are available, and you can have items appraised at the kickoff.

The appraisals will be done by Case Antiques Inc. of Knoxville. It’s the Tennessee Treasures Appraisals Fair, which is part of the April 29 kickoff of Arts & Antiques in the Square. Items can be appraised for $10 per item, or $50 for six items. The appraisals will be done from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 29, in Jackson Square.

“Browse our shops and Arts & Antiques vendors while your items are appraised,” the Jackson Square Merchants Association said. If you have furniture to be appraised, you don’t have to bring it. You can bring photos or send them in advance.

Arts & Antiques in the Square itself is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 29.

The series is usually, but not always, held on the last Saturday of the month. The events highlight the arts: dance, music, visual arts, and theater. They also allow vendors to showcase and sell their products.

“We’re trying to revitalize Jackson Square to its former glory,” said Linda Johnston, owner of Through the Looking Glass Antiques and Collectibles. “This used to be where everybody came.” [Read more…]

Senior Advisory Board recommends Senior Center west of Civic Center

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This site option was unanimously recommended for a new Oak Ridge Senior Center by the Senior Advisory Board on Monday, April 10, 2017. (Image courtesy Studio Four Design/City of Oak Ridge)

This site option was unanimously recommended for a new Oak Ridge Senior Center by the Senior Advisory Board on Monday, April 10, 2017. (Image courtesy Studio Four Design/City of Oak Ridge)

 

Note: This story was updated at 1:20 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Senior Advisory Board has recommended that the new senior center be built on the west side of the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

The board unanimously recommended the site on a voice vote during a special meeting on Monday morning.

The site was one of two options presented to the board during Monday’s meeting. The board had been presented four options earlier, but one of those had been ruled out and two others had been combined.

The proposed site west of the Civic Center could have a building of about 15,000 square feet. It could include a kitchen and administrative space; game and exercise rooms; a large multi-purpose room for activities such as dancing, bingo, and card games; and billiard/pool and media rooms. Dancing is the most preferred activity, according to surveys, said Pat Gengozian, chair of the Senior Advisory Board, or SAB.

The site could be considered by the Oak Ridge City Council in May. The site is just west of the indoor pool and south of the parking lot on the west side of the Civic Center. [Read more…]

Today: Dine & Donate helps ADFAC

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Gondolier in Clinton has an extensive menu including Italian pasta favorites, pizza, salads, sandwiches, and much more. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert, though. Gondolier also offers delicious cakes and pastries! (Submitted photo)

Gondolier in Clinton has an extensive menu including Italian pasta favorites, pizza, salads, sandwiches, and much more. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert, though. Gondolier also offers delicious cakes and pastries! (Submitted photo)

 

Eleven local restaurants will donate a portion of their sales today to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC.

“Dine & Donate Mondays are always an easy way to treat loved ones (or yourself!) to a special meal that also gives back to the community,” a press release said.

Here are the restaurants participating today (Monday, April 10). [Read more…]

Reminder: Egg Hunt is Saturday in A.K. Bissell Park

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A previous Oak Ridge Egg Hunt is pictured above. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

A previous Oak Ridge Egg Hunt is pictured above. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

Reminder: The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 2017 Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8, at 11 a.m. Hundreds of children are expected to participate in this annual spring event, a press release said. More than 15,000 candy and prize-filled eggs will be hidden in Alvin K. Bissell Park with a first-, second-, and third-place prize egg in each age group.

This event will be held rain or shine, so participants should dress for the weather, the press release said. If severe weather prevents hiding the eggs outdoors, they will be given away in the gym and a drawing will be held for the prizes.

Participants should arrive early and assemble in the Civic Center gymnasium prior to 11 a.m. The children will be divided into separate age groups and will be escorted to their respective hunt areas. The hunt is targeted for children age four through fourth grade. [Read more…]

Retired Oak Ridge school teacher, historian to discuss pre-Oak Ridge women

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The 1920's brought significant progress for women. (Submitted photo)

The 1920s brought significant progress for women, a press release said. (Submitted photo/ORHPA)

 

A retired Oak Ridge school teacher and historian will discuss the women who lived in this part of East Tennessee before Oak Ridge was built during World War II.

Eugene Pickel will also pay tribute to retired Oak Ridge teacher Catherine Ledgerwood during his talk to the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association on Thursday.

“Women are more equal today than ever in history,” Pickel said in a press release. “I thought I would describe women generally as they were in our area—Kingston, Clinton, Oliver Springs—before Oak Ridge was created. Then I thought I would go to Catherine Ledgerwood—the most creative change agent I have ever known. Her impact on young people was, and still is, remarkable!”

Oak Ridge was built during World War II as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project, a federal project to make the world’s first atomic weapons. The Manhattan Project production site that became Oak Ridge displaced century-old family farms and small crossroads communities: Scarborough, Wheat, Robertsville, and Elza. (Some have historical markers.)

The Thursday night ORHPA meeting starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at the Midtown Community Center at 102 Robertsville Road in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Manhattan Project program: Celebrate National Junior Ranger Day at AMSE on April 15

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MAPR JR RANGER

The Manhattan Project National Historical Park encourages families to visit the park this week as part of National Park Week.

“Kids of all ages are invited to come learn how to explore, learn, and protect your national park on April 15, and become an official Junior Ranger,” a National Park Service press release said.

Visit https://www.nps.gov/mapr/oakridge.htm for a preview of the planned activities.

All participants will receive Junior Ranger badges or patches and a certificate upon completion of the program, the press release said. Junior Ranger activity guides may be obtained at the park visitor desk located in the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge.

“The program is designed for kids ages 8 to 12 years old, but is available to anyone young at heart,” the press release said. “Come out to explore, learn, and protect your national park.” [Read more…]