Oak Ridge Today

Thirty dragon boat teams ready to race May 31

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Penny Behling Dragon Boat Steerer

Penny Behling of Dynamic Dragon Boat Races LLC of Knoxville takes over as steerer of this dragon boat during a race in Owenboro, Ky., and gets the team back on course. (Submitted photo)

 

The inaugural Oak Ridge Dragon Boat Festival will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at the Oak Ridge Marina and Pavilion in Melton Lake Park.

The three Rotary clubs of Oak Ridge are launching this fundraiser for community nonprofit service organizations.

Dragon boat racing is the eighth-fastest growing sport in the world. And the races will take place on Oak Ridge’s signature rowing venue, considered one of the three best courses for regattas in the nation.

Starting at 9 a.m., 30 dragon boat teams—three from Kentucky and North Carolina—will race at least twice, with the 12 winners of two rounds racing in the third round.

The festival offers food and beverage vendors, beer garden, kids area at the pavilion with bounce houses and 15-minute martial arts lessons on the hour, two Tai Chi demonstrations, and awards ceremonies for winners of the morning Drummers Parade and the third round of dragon boat races. [Read more…]

Kristina Cunningham awarded the 2014 Myrick Scholarship

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Tim Myrick and Kristina Cunningham

Kristina Cunningham, right, is the sixth recipient of the AP Environmental Science scholarship from Tim and Teresa Myrick awarded through the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation. Tim Myrick is pictured at left.

 

When AP Environmental Science teacher Deni Sobek and Tim Myrick pulled Kristina Cunningham out of class earlier this month, the Oak Ridge High School senior was worried.

“I was nervous. I thought I had done something wrong,” said Kristina, who laughs about the incident now. Kristina wasn’t in trouble; in fact, she was surprised to find that Myrick had chosen to award her with a $1,000 college scholarship.

Tim Myrick, a guest lecturer and advisor to the advanced placement class, has a keen interest in making sure that the students and faculty of the ORHS science department are well-equipped and in rewarding high-caliber students such as Kristina.

In 2012, Myrick and his wife Teresa pledged $25,000 to the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation’s “Making the Critical Difference” campaign for grants and scholarships. Their pledge provides for an annual scholarship to a top AP Environmental Science student, as well as grant funds to be awarded to ORHS Science Department applicants. Kristina is the sixth recipient of the Myricks’ AP Environmental Science scholarship, with previous scholarships presented through ADFAC. [Read more…]

Pet drive, adoption fair at Animal Shelter on Saturday

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Oak Ridge Animal Shelter

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on Belgrade Road is pictured above.

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Shizzy’s Doggy Haven in partnership with the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter are sponsoring a pet drive and adoption fair on Saturday. All donations from the event will go directly to the animal shelter.

Spring has sprung and that means the shelter is full of puppies, kittens, adult dogs, and cats that are looking for their new home. Drop by for some puppy love and a chance to adopt your new best friend! We will also have lots of silent auction items available including a grill donated by Home Depot.

We have amazing door prizes available from local sponsors and all you need to do to enter is bring an item the shelter desperately needs to continue to run efficiently. The shelter’s needs are blankets, towels, dog beds, crates and cages, cat carriers, dish soap, (he) laundry soap, cleaning supplies, dog food (wet and dry), puppy and kitten food, cat litter, newspapers, toys, stuffed animals, collars, leashes, and most of all YOU! [Read more…]

Explore science through summer reading at Clinton library

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The 2014 Summer Reading Club at the Clinton Public Library will feature a variety of science-themed, educational, and fun programs to help fill your summer days. Children from birth through rising 12th grade are invited to join the free Reading Club that will run from June 1 to July 26.

This year, children will explore science through reading as the Clinton Public Library presents “Fizz, Boom, Read!” as its summer reading theme. Children may register for the Reading Club anytime from June 1 to July 7 at the Library or on the Library’s website at www.clintonpubliclibrary.org. At registration, children will receive a reading log to track the books they read throughout the summer. Children who reach the reading goal set for their age group can claim a special prize at the Water Science Fun Finale on July 19 at 1 p.m. or anytime during the following week. They will also be entered into a drawing for other great prizes.

Summer Reading Club programs will kick off on June 9 at 1 p.m. with Royal Magic Events. It will be an afternoon of face painting, balloon animals, and magic! Other special events for the whole family include a presentation by Mr. Bond the Science Guy on July 7 at 1 p.m. and a Lego Club for the entire family every Thursday at 4 p.m. [Read more…]

Summer camps: Science at AMSE Explorer Camp

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AMSE Science CampSubmitted

Make new friends while you discover land and water habitats of animals and insects, make weather forecast predictions, connect electric circuits, solve a mystery using forensic science, and do more experiments and hands-on activities at the AMSE Science Explorer Camp for rising fifth (must be 10 years old by June 1), sixth, and seventh graders at two identical one-week sessions from June 9–13 and June 16–20 at Freels Bend Cabin in Oak Ridge.

“For 25 years the Science Camp has provided 1,200 kids with a real-life experience of how science is important in every aspect of life with the emphasis of how we use science every day,” said Kris Light, science educator at the AMSE Science Explorer Camp. “Campers end their weekly summer session with a greater appreciation of the world around them and a better understanding of the many fields of science. [Read more…]

Free small business start-up seminar on Friday

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Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce

The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce is pictured above.

A free Friday workshop will give small business owners and entrepreneurs a better understanding of how to start a new business.

The workshop is from 11:30 a.m.– 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 30, at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce at 1400 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The workshop is offered by the Tennessee Small Business Development Center at Roane State Community College.

Registration is required. To see more details, and to register, please visitwww.roanestate.edu/tsbdc. For questions, contact Jutta Bangs at (865) 483-2668 or jbangs@tsbdc.org.

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center advises and assists entrepreneurs and small business owners at no cost to them.

Spotlight: DOE, advisory board recognize service of student representatives

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Gracie Hall, Susan Cange, and Julia Riley

Susan Cange from the U.S. Department of Energy in Oak Ridge presents plaques of appreciation to Julia Riley, Hardin Valley Academy, left, and Gracie Hall, Oak Ridge High School, right, for their service as student representatives to the Oak Ridge Site Specific Advisory Board. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Site Specific Advisory Board and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office recognized outgoing student representatives Gracie Hall and Julia Riley at the April board meeting.

ORSSAB is a federally chartered citizens’ panel that provides recommendations to the DOE Oak Ridge Environmental Management Program, which is responsible for the cleanup of the Oak Ridge Reservation. Each year it provides seats for two non-voting student representatives from area high schools. In addition to participating at board meetings, students can be members of the board’s working committees.

“We appreciate the insight the student representatives provide during their tenure on the ORSSAB, so it’s always sad to see them leave when they complete their terms,” said Susan Cange, deputy assistant manager for the DOE Oak Ridge Environmental Management Program and the board’s deputy designated federal officer. “We are thankful to them for dedicating time during their busy senior year of high school to help provide valuable input in support of environmental cleanup in Oak Ridge.”

Gracie will graduate from Oak Ridge High School in May. For the last couple of years, she has been training in martial arts and has a blue-purple belt in Filkenjutsu. She plans to continue training and teaching various forms of martial arts.

Gracie also likes to sing and will be singing in her last Sound Company show in May. Sound Company is a local group of young singers and dancers.

She will be attending the University of Tennessee Knoxville this fall in the honors program with an undeclared major. She is considering environmental science or criminal justice. She does plan to minor in Spanish.

Julia will graduate from Hardin Valley Academy in May. During her senior year, she has been active as president of Hardin Valley’s Venture Crew. She has been involved in blood drives at Hardin Valley as assistant to one of her teachers who coordinates the drives.

Julia will attend Clemson University this fall in the honors program studying environmental science with a wildlife biology minor.

Two new students from Oak Ridge High School and Hardin Valley Academy will be seated in May.

For more information about ORSSAB, visit the board’s website at www.energy.gov/orssab or call (865) 241-4583 or (865) 241-4584.

In budget talks, school board considers smaller rollout of technology initiative

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Oak Ridge Board of Education

The Oak Ridge Board of Education asked for a smaller rollout of a technology initiative in budget talks that will resume Wednesday evening. (File photo)

The Oak Ridge school board devoted most of its Tuesday night meeting to reviewing the proposed budget for next year, but members haven’t voted on it yet. Instead, the board has asked school administrators to bring back a budget that has a smaller rollout of a technology initiative known as 1:1, and the discussions will resume Wednesday evening.

The board agreed that the 1:1 integration is necessary, but they had reservations about how exactly to roll out the electronic devices to students. Several board members said they support the addition of the new technology, but they are unable to completely stand behind the changes because of the costs.

Board members spent nearly two hours going through expenditures Tuesday and discussing the changes they thought were needed before they would feel comfortable sending the budget to the Oak Ridge City Council.

“It includes some things that I’m not sure I’m ready to support,” said board member Jenny Richter. She suggested implementing a rollout among a smaller number of students at first so that “we can learn from our own experience and meet the whole thing halfway.” She said she could support the budget with modifications to the technology initiative. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools honor Memorial Day by participating in ‘Jeans for Troops’

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Submitted by Oak Ridge Schools

The Oak Ridge School District honored Memorial Day and the men and women who have died defending our country by raising funds for military veterans and their families.

On May 22, teachers took part in the 2014 “Jeans for Troops” fundraising drive benefiting the GI Go Fund, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans returning home find employment, go to college, access their health care and financial benefits, and link to housing.

During the drive, which has schools and companies from all across the country participating in, Oak Ridge Schools gave their employees the opportunity to wear jeans to work in exchange for a $5 donation to the GI Go Fund.

“For generations, America’s teachers have been responsible for educating America’s children,” said GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous. “They have always been individuals that mothers and fathers could rely on to set a positive example for their children. This Memorial Day, teachers around the country have set the example to our nation’s children that this holiday is more than just the first weekend of summer, and more than the year’s first barbecue. It is a day to remember the men and women who have fought and died to preserve our liberties, our freedoms, and the American way of life.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Public Library celebrates 70 years, offers Amnesty Week

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Oak Ridge Public Library

The Oak Ridge Public Library is pictured above.

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To thank our community for 70 wonderful years, we are inviting our patrons to enjoy our week-long birthday party by offering Amnesty Week, exciting public programming, a library staff cookbook give-away, and cake!

When you return an overdue item—either in person or in the book drop—between Tuesday, May 27, and Saturday, May 31, enjoy fine forgiveness on those items.

Not sure if you have any overdue items? Need more information about amnesty rules? Come by the main desk with your library card.

During our regular 10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning preschool storytime, we will offer a topic of “Classic Tales.” This program will highlight bestsellers through the years and some titles that have been in our collection since the 1940s.

On Thursday, May 29, we will begin giving away copies of our 2014 Library Staff Cookbook and serving our birthday cake at 1 p.m. in the Library Auditorium. Come in, get a slice of cake, and stay for the adult programs we are offering afterward. [Read more…]

Sewer rehab work continues this week

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More rehabilitation work of the city’s sewer collection pipes is scheduled to continue this week.

The work is being done by Hurst Excavating and Morgan Contracting under contract with the City of Oak Ridge. It includes rehabilitating sewer collection pipes within city easements in yards and in roadways, a press release said.

Residents should already have received color-coded letters and door hangers (orange for Hurst Excavating and purple for Morgan Contracting) providing general information and each contractors’ contact information. [Read more…]

Anderson Chamber announces ‘Tribute to Business’ award winners

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Oak Ridge High School String Quartet

Rising juniors from the Oak Ridge Schools Orchestra Program will be providing live music for the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce’s 3rd Annual Tribute to Business on Friday, June 6, at the Museum of Appalachia. From left to right are Megan Peters, cello; Brittany Rowe, violin; Evelyn Pieper, violin; and Lucas Potter, viola.

The Anderson County Chamber of Commerce has announced its Tribute to Business Awards, and they will be honored during a June 6 celebration at the Museum of Appalachia.

Here are the winners:

  • Small Business—Samuel Franklin,
  • Mid-Sized Business—All Occasion Party Rentals,
  • Large Business—Techmer PM,
  • Woman-Owned Business—Temp Systems Inc., and
  • Lifetime Achievement Award—The Fox Family. 

“Everyone is invited to join us in honoring these businesses for their contribution to the economic growth of Anderson County,” a press release said.

The Friday, June 6, celebration will start at 6:30 p.m. with valet parking, social hour, photos, and live music, the press release said. Dinner on the Lawn begins at 7:30 p.m. with a brief live auction and awards ceremony. The Museum of Appalachia is at 2819 Andersonville Highway near Norris. [Read more…]