Oak Ridge Today

ORCMA holiday wreaths for sale

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Holiday Wreath

The Oak Ridge Civic Music Association is again taking advance orders for holiday wreaths made from fresh evergreens.

A traditional symbol of the holiday season, the wreaths are made of Fraser Fir (Southern Balsam). Proceeds from the sale are used in ORCMA’s long-standing commitment to the funding of local music organizations, a press release said.

The wreaths are made-to-order in sizes ranging from 14 inches to 32 inches, and in custom larger sizes as requested. Red or maroon velvet bows are also available by order. Prices for wreaths range from $17 to $30 and bows cost $7, the release said.

And, as in years past, people who would like to give a fresh wreath with a bow to a needy family through Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties can order one or more, and the Oak Ridge Chorus will deliver them to ADFAC for distribution.

Wreaths must be ordered by Wednesday, Nov. 21, and must be picked up on Saturday, Dec. 8, between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge. The First Presbyterian Church is located on the southeast corner of Lafayette Drive and Oak Ridge Turnpike. The wreaths will be in the Fellowship Hall.

Call Priscilla McKenney at (865) 482-5374 or Barbara Weber at (865) 463-8269 to order wreaths and bows, or to ask questions.

Two ORHS teams compete in Siemens Competition this week

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Two student teams from Oak Ridge High School will compete this week in the regional finals for the prestigious Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology.

The two teams include James Andress and A.J. Toth, and Kyoung-A Cho and Samantha Wang. The students worked with mentors at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to develop computer programs to help find protein mutations that suppress cancer and evaluate rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

“We were excited by the potential for machine learning to advance pharmaceutical development,” Andress said in a press release.

“My favorite part of working on this project was realizing that I could program, which I didn’t think I could do,” Wang said.

The two teams will compete in the regional finals at Georgia Institute of Technology on Friday and Saturday. A total of 93 students from 25 states are competing in six regional finals from California to Massachusetts this month.

The Siemens Competition is considered the nation’s premier research competition for high school students.

“These students have invested time, energy, and talent in tackling challenging scientific research at a young age,” Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, Siemens Foundation president, said in a recent press release. “The recognition they have won today demonstrates that engagement in STEM is an investment well worth making.”

The Siemens Competition awards one $3,000 prize to an individual and one $6,000 prize to a team at each regional competition. Winners of the regional events advance to the national finals at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., from Dec. 1-4, when $500,000 in scholarships will be awarded, including two top prizes of $100,000.

The Siemens Foundation said there were also 322 semifinalists announced this year. Local regional semifinalists included John Caughman III, Megan Kelly, and Patrick Williams.

The Siemens Foundation said 2,255 students from across the country participated in this year’s competition with a total of 1,504 projects.

Cathy Toth, mother of A.J. Toth, said Oak Ridge has won at nationals twice since 2008.

Guest column: Residents encouraged to serve on city boards, applications due Friday

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By Oak Ridge City Manager Mark S. Watson and City Clerk Diana R. Stanley

It might sound like a cliché, but it certainly applies in Oak Ridge these days—exciting things are happening in our town!

The new Kroger Marketplace and the new Weigel’s development will impact economic growth through our Planning Commission. The added beauty and recreation opportunities with the construction of the new Melton Lake Water Pavilion are a major accomplishment of our Recreation and Parks Board. Let’s also not forget about the historic Alexander Inn, which is getting a new lease on life due in part to the work of the Industrial Development Board.

The city’s ongoing pursuance of a Manhattan Project National Park designation and the utilization of the Not in Our City campaign to address neighborhood improvements are also big projects for many other city boards. Make no mistake about it; exciting things are happening in Oak Ridge.

Our city board and commission members play an important part in not only the above projects being achieved, but also in many more. Board members volunteer their time, experience, and expertise to help guide projects, foster ideas, as well as interact with citizens and local businesses to help our community grow, and we would like to thank them publicly for their service.

The city’s boards and commissions oversee a variety of issues to fit the different public interests of our residents. For example, the Trade Licensing Board sets standards and procedures for the qualification, examination, and licensing of electrical, plumbing, and mechanical contractors; the Parks Board advises City Council and city staff on the recreation and parks needs of the city, while the Traffic Safety Advisory Board reviews traffic safety issues and gives advice to the city on other matters concerning traffic flow and speeds within the community.

We all want Oak Ridge to be the best it can be and our best resource for achieving it is the people of our community. We would like to urge residents to be a part of the “Something Big” by applying for membership on a city board or commission.

Oak Ridge residents interested in membership are asked to complete an online 2012 Boards and Commissions Application at http://tiny.cc/12boardsapp. Paper copies can be obtained in the City Clerk’s Office). Applicants may also submit cover letter or resumes in addition to the application. The deadline for all materials is 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16. Interested individuals may view the 2012 Election Notice by visiting the City Clerk’s departmental website for a list of the boards seeking members, terms of office, and special qualifications.

Margaret Mead once wrote “Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world: Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Positive changes are happening in Oak Ridge, so come and join your City Council in helping Oak Ridge achieve excellence in the years to come.

More than 600 register for Secret City Half Marathon, road closures scheduled

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Secret City Half Marathon

More than 600 runners have registered for the Secret City Half Marathon and Relay in Oak Ridge on Sunday, and some roads will be closed during the race. (Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

Hundreds of runners from 20 states will compete in the Secret City Half Marathon and Relay in Oak Ridge on Sunday, and some roads will be closed during the race.

As of Monday, more than 600 runners were already registered, according to information from organizer Frank Chmielewicz.

The 8 a.m. Sunday race starts and ends at the National Fitness Center on Briarcliff Avenue.

Here are the race day road closures:

  • Emory Valley Road will be closed from about 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. between the Oak Ridge Marina and Briarcliff  Avenue.
  • Briarcliff Avenue will be closed between Emory Valley Road and Laboratory Road from 7:30-8:15 a.m.
  • One lane of Oak Ridge Turnpike traveling east will be closed.
  • Delays could be encountered on Melton Lake Drive due to runners crossing the street to run on the greenway.

The race is being organized by the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau with help from the City of Oak Ridge, a press release said. The course includes Oak Ridge streets and greenways, including Melton Lake Greenway on the city’s waterfront.

The event includes a Secret City Half Marathon 4 Kids. This free 13.1-mile fun run is for children from first through sixth grade. It encourages children to exercise by giving them a fun and exciting goal, the release said.

By Sunday morning, participants will have run or walked a total of 12 miles. On race day, children will run the last 1.1 mile. All participants get an official race number, race shirt, and goody bag. Medals will be given to those children who are pre-registered and cross the finish line. The children’s log can be downloaded at http://secretcityhalfmarathon.com/register/half-marathon-4-kids.

For more information, visit http://secretcityhalfmarathon.com/ or the city’s website at www.oakridgetn.gov, or contact Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Director Josh Collins at (865) 425-3540.

Race proceeds benefit the Anderson County Child Advocacy Center, which helps children who have been victims or witnesses to physical abuse, sexual abuse, or other crimes.

There will be a Saturday evening pasta dinner before the race to raise money for the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge.

Oak Ridge mayor, mayor pro tem seek re-appointment

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The city’s mayor and vice mayor are both seeking to be re-appointed to two-year terms when the new City Council meets on Dec. 10.

Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan and Mayor Pro Tem Jane Miller have both written to their fellow City Council members, asking to be re-appointed. (Beehan’s letter is here, and Miller’s is here.)

The mayor and mayor pro tem are not elected by voters in Oak Ridge. Instead, they are appointed by the seven-member council after each regular municipal election.

A new council was elected Nov. 6. One on the incumbents, Ellen Smith, lost in her re-election run, and two other incumbents, Charlie Hensley and Chuck Hope, were re-elected. They will be joined by new council member Trina Baughn.

The mayor leads council meetings, serves as the ceremonial head of the city, and signs ordinances, resolutions, bonds, and contracts, among other things. The mayor votes at council meetings but has no veto power.

The mayor pro tem fills in for the mayor when the mayor is absent or disabled.

Beehan has been mayor since July 2007. Before that, he was mayor pro tem for six years.

Miller has been mayor pro tem since July 2007.

Beehan has been a council member since 2001, and Miller has served since 2003.

The other two council members are Anne Garcia Garland and David Mosby. Council members serve staggered four-year terms, so three are elected in one municipal election, and then, two years later, four more are elected.

The Dec. 10 council meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Oak Ridge Municipal Building Courtroom.

New Jackson Square bank has grand opening Friday

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A new bank in Jackson Square will have a grand opening and open house on Friday.

The celebration at CapitalMark Bank and Trust will include an 11:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony. The public is invited to visit any time during the day, and Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan and CapitalMark staff will attend the ribbon-cutting, a press release said.

For more information on CapitalMark Bank and Trust, visit www.capitalmark.com.

Oliver Springs undercover drug operation leads to 27 indictments

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The Oliver Springs Police Department has wrapped up a four-month undercover operation targeting illegal drug sales, and 27 people have been indicted on 56 charges, according to WYSH Radio in Clinton.

Thirteen of the suspects were indicted in Anderson County, and the remaining 14 in Roane County, WYSH said. Police say three of the suspects were indicted on charges related to the sale and delivery of marijuana while the rest centered on the sale and delivery of prescription drugs.

Last weekend, Oliver Springs police began rounding up the suspects and at last check had arrested 19 of them, WYSH said.

Two others were found incarcerated on unrelated charges, and six more are being sought.

This story brought to you through an agreement between Oak Ridge Today and WYSH. See more local news headlines on the WYSH website at http://www.wyshradio.com/local_news.html.

Bird feeders to be installed at Melton Lake Park

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The city hopes to cut down on the number of people feeding bread to geese and ducks at Melton Lake Park by installing bird feeders this week.

The new coin-operated feeders will dispense a handful of high-protein pellets for $0.25, which can then be thrown into the Clinch River to feed the waterfowl, a city press release said.

The feeders are being installed on a trial basis by Vaulted Vending.

The press release said Oak Ridge officials have discouraged bird feeding because the waterfowl create a mess and bread can be harmful to them. Feeding them the wrong kind of food can also make them more aggressive.

“We hope the new feeders will eliminate the harmful bread from the bird’s diet and will also move the birds away from the picnic facilities at the park,” said Josh Collins, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks director.

The press release said the installation of the new feeders could also produce some money to be used for park improvements.

“These feeders have been successful in numerous other communities that have large populations of geese and ducks,” the release said.

For more information, contact Collins at (865) 425-3450 or visit the city’s website at www.oakridgetn.gov.

Answer Financial to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank

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Answer Financial Inc., a local insurance agency, hopes to help Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee by making a donation to the food bank for every resume it receives during a career fair in West Knoxville today.

The company, one of the largest auto and home insurance agencies in the United States, is planning to hire 75 sales associates in the Knoxville area by the end of the year.

Residents and job seekers with sales or customer service experience can take part in the fair at the Holiday Inn on Cedar Bluff from noon to 7 p.m. today. The career fair will include guests Josh and Will of Sports Animal radio.

“We’re trying to get the word out on the large number of open positions and great career opportunities we have at Answer Financial, while at the same time providing help to a nonprofit organization that does great work in the community,” said Lance Dawson, the company’s human resources director.

He said Answer Financial, which has offices in Oak Ridge, is hiring for November, December, and January training classes. The goal is to hire 75 new associates before year-end and more than 100 in 2013 in the Knoxville area alone. Answer Financial represents more than 20 insurance companies, including The Hartford, Safeco, Progressive, and Esurance.

Applicants can email their resumes to careers@answerfinancial.com or visit the website at www.answerfinancial.com/careers.

World’s fastest supercomputer at ORNL more about research than rankings

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Titan Supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The Titan supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is now ranked as the world’s fastest. (Photo courtesy of ORNL)

The No. 1 ranking for the new Titan supercomputer, designating it as the most powerful in the world, was clearly appreciated in East Tennessee on Monday.

But even as they celebrated a return to the top spot, scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where the giant computer is based, said they are focused more on research than rankings.

“We love being No. 1,” said Bronson Messer, acting group leader for scientific computing at the National Center for Computational Science at ORNL. “It’s great recognition. But what really matters is what science will do with the machine.”

[Read more…]

Reception for retiring superintendent on Monday

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A Monday evening reception will honor Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Tom Bailey, who is retiring at the end of the year.

The reception starts at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, in the School Administration Building at 304 New York Ave.

The Oak Ridge Board of Education is hunting for a replacement for Bailey, who has been superintendent since 2002, and could consider a replacement on Dec. 8. The search is being conducted with the help of Ray and Associates, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Roane State Foundation board adds Eric Barger

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Eric Barger

Eric Barger

Business leader Eric Barger has joined the board of directors for the Roane State Community College Foundation, a press release said.

Barger is vice president of C.R. Barger and Sons Inc., a Roane County company founded in the early 1960s by Eric’s grandparents, C.R. and Mary Barger. A 1994 Harriman High School graduate, Barger completed his associate degree at Roane State in 1997 and then earned a degree in civil engineering from Tennessee Tech University.

“Roane State helped me reach where I am at today in life and business,” Barger said. “Joining the board allows me to be a part of the future of Roane State, and that is exciting.”

Barger serves on the board of directors for the National Precast Concrete Association Educational Foundation. He is a member of the National Precast Concrete Association, American Society for Testing and Materials, Tennessee Onsite Wastewater Association, and the American Concrete Institute.

“We are very excited that Eric has agreed to join our board,” Roane State Foundation Executive Director Paul Phillips said. “He is a distinguished alumnus with passion for Roane State’s mission.”

The nonprofit Roane State Foundation provides financial support for the college’s students and program.

For more information, visit www.roanestate.edu/foundation or call (865) 882-4507.