Oak Ridge Today

Nine Lakes Wine Festival returns to Oak Ridge, Knoxville

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The second annual Nine Lakes Wine Festival is this week with three days of events celebrating the best in Tennessee wines in Oak Ridge and West Knoxville. The festival is scheduled from Thursday, May 17, to Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Submitted photo)

The second annual Nine Lakes Wine Festival is this week with three days of events celebrating the best in Tennessee wines in Oak Ridge and West Knoxville. The festival is scheduled from Thursday, May 17, to Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Submitted photo)

 

The second annual Nine Lakes Wine Festival is this week with three days of events celebrating the best in Tennessee wines in Oak Ridge and West Knoxville.

The festival is scheduled from Thursday, May 17, to Saturday, May 19.

The main event is the Grand Tasting from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 19, on the waterfront at Melton Lake Park in Oak Ridge. This event features more than 15 Tennessee wineries pouring more than 100 locally made wines and ciders, with live music, chef demonstrations by The Savory Whisk, and wine seminars by a variety of Tennessee wine experts, a press release said.

Music will be provided by the Nashville band Arts Fishing Club and two East Tennessee bands, Wild Blue Yonder and KUDZU.

Two other smaller events are offered earlier in the week: [Read more…]

Wildcat Den Preservation Party features Soul Sanction on Friday

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Submitted image

Submitted image

 

A Wildcat Den Preservation Party on Friday will feature Soul Sanction.

The Preservation Party is promoted by the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association.

It is scheduled from 7-10:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, at the Midtown Community Center at 102 Robertsville Road. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society has plant sale this weekend

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University of Tennessee Arboretum Society Spring Plant Sale (Submitted Photo)

University of Tennessee Arboretum Society Spring Plant Sale (Submitted Photo)

 

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will have a spring plant sale this weekend that will gather the best of four local nurseries in one location.

The public sale, the 51st Annual Spring Plant Sale, will be held on Saturday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the UT Arboretum at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge. The “Members Only” sale will be on Friday evening, April 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Memberships may be purchased at that time for this “early bird” shopping opportunity, a press release said.

“By joining UTAS on Friday night, people can enjoy the membership benefit of having the first pick of our beautiful selection of plants, some of which sell out that evening,” the press release said.

Checks, cash, and credit cards will be accepted. [Read more…]

Egg Hunt is Saturday, March 24; volunteers needed

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Photo by City of Oak Ridge

Photo by City of Oak Ridge

 

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 2018 Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 24, at 11 a.m. Hundreds of children and their families 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 A.K. Bissell Park with a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prize egg in each age group, the press release said. This event will be held rain or shine, so participants should dress for the weather. If severe weather prevents hiding the eggs outdoors, they will be given away in the gym and prizes will be randomly distributed.

Families should arrive early and assemble in the Oak Ridge Civic Center gymnasium prior to 11 a.m. Participants will be divided into separate age groups and will be escorted to their respective hunt areas. The hunt is targeted for preschool-aged children (4 years old) up to fourth grade. [Read more…]

Construction starts at new AMSE location

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Construction work has started at the new American Museum of Science and Energy at Main Street Oak Ridge. Interior demolition work is under way, and exterior demolition work could start Wednesday. A crew was working at the new AMSE location on Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Construction work has started at the new American Museum of Science and Energy at Main Street Oak Ridge. Interior demolition work is under way, and exterior demolition work could start Wednesday. A crew was working at the new AMSE location on Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Construction work has started at the new American Museum of Science and Energy at Main Street Oak Ridge. Interior demolition work is under way, and exterior demolition work could start Wednesday.

The value of the improvements is estimated at roughly $1.5 million. A building permit was issued December 29.

AMSE will be relocated from its current home on South Tulane Avenue, where it’s been since the mid-1970s, to about 18,000 square feet of renovated space at Main Street Oak Ridge. That’s the 58-acre project to redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall. The move is part of an agreement that was signed by the City of Oak Ridge and U.S. Department of Energy in December 2016.

AMSE will have about 15,000 square feet of space in the former Sears Roebuck store near JCPenney and roughly 2,700 square feet in the former Cole’s Drug Store. Inside, there will be about 7,200 square feet of exhibit space, two 800-square-foot classrooms, and a large theater with a stage, consultant Ray Evans told Oak Ridge City Council members during a December 19 work session.

Evans said construction could take 4.5 to five months. An opening date had not been set as of the December work session. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Chamber’s Christmas Parade is Saturday

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Last year's Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce's annual Christmas Parade was Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016. (File photo by Eli Welton)

Last year’s Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Parade was Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016. (File photo by Eli Welton)

 

More than 100 entries have registered to participate in the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Parade. The parade will take place on Saturday, December 9, beginning at 6 p.m. Line-up for those participating will begin at 4 p.m. at Corporate Center on the corner of Lafayette and Laboratory Roads.

This year’s theme is “A Toyland Christmas: Past 75 Years/Future 75 Years,” and the parade promises to provide spectators with plenty of music, lights, and beautiful floats, a press release said. The parade will be a part of Oak Ridge’s 75th Anniversary Celebration. Sponsor of this year’s parade is The Cowperwood Company.

For those who wish to watch the parade, the route begins at Corporate Center, on the corner of Lafayette and Laboratory Road. From there, the parade will travel down Lafayette to the Oak Ridge Turnpike. It will continue west on the Turnpike to Oak Ridge High School. The judge’s stand will be located in front of the Chamber. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Community Thanksgiving Dinner is Thursday at High Places

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Oak Ridge Community Thanksgiving Dinner Nov 23 2017

Everyone is invited to a community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 23, in Grove Center in Oak Ridge.

“Everyone should have someone to give thanks with on Thanksgiving!” a press release said.

The Thanksgiving Dinner is scheduled from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at High Places Community Church/Grove Theater at 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge.

“The emphasis of the event is community, with a goal of providing people the opportunity to dine with others on Thanksgiving,” the press release said. “As in the past, a grassroots group of individuals is coordinating this effort to be hosted by High Places Community Church/Grove Theater. As such, volunteers, food and financial donations are needed.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Chamber’s Christmas Parade to be held Saturday, Dec. 9

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The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce's annual Christmas Parade was Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016. (Photo by Eli Welton)

The last Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade was Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016. (File photo by Eli Welton)

 

The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce will have its annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 9.

This year’s theme is “A Toyland Christmas: Past 75 Years/Future 75 Years,” a press release said. It promises to provide spectators with plenty of music, lights, and beautiful floats, the release said.

The parade will be a part of Oak Ridge’s 75th Anniversary Celebration. Sponsor of this year’s parade is The Cowperwood Company. There is no cost to participate.

The Chamber will be accepting entries online through Monday, December 4. Register by visiting the Chamber’s website at www.oakridgechamber.org.

According to Greta Ownby, executive vice president of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce: “People began signing up for the parade in August, as soon as we announced our theme. The second Saturday in December is always the date for our Christmas parade, and it’s nice to know that people start planning early make the parade a special part of their holiday tradition. We also wanted to incorporate the 75th anniversary of Oak Ridge into the event this year.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge has Children’s Halloween Party on Oct. 26

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A hay ride at the Children's Halloween Party in Oak Ridge in 2016. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

A hay ride at the Children’s Halloween Party in Oak Ridge in 2016. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 2017 Children’s Halloween Party on Thursday, October 26, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

This annual event is now in its 35th year and will be attended by hundreds of local children and their parents, a press release said. Activities will be planned for every room in the Oak Ridge Civic Center, and a hay ride will be offered in A.K. Bissell Park, weather permitting.

Businesses and organizations are invited to sponsor a game booth for the party. Sponsors will supply two to four volunteers to operate the game throughout the evening. The Recreation and Parks Department will provide the games and prizes unless sponsors wish to provide their own, the press release said. Games should be appropriate for children age 10 and under. Applications can be emailed or picked up at the Civic Center front desk. [Read more…]

Street Painting Festival is Saturday at Roane State

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Photo courtesy Roane State Community College

Photo by Roane State Community College

 

The Street Painting Festival is Saturday at Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge.

Here is an event notice posted by Roane State.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge

When: [Read more…]

Reader photos: July 4 fireworks in Oak Ridge

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Fireworks at Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge on July 4, 2017. (Photo by D. Ray Smith)

Fireworks at Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge on July 4, 2017. (Photo by D. Ray Smith)

 

Several readers submitted photos from the fireworks show in Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. Here are photos by D. Ray Smith, Donna King, and Liz Bartlett.

Fireworks at Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge on July 4, 2017. (Photo by D. Ray Smith)

Fireworks at Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge on July 4, 2017. (Photo by D. Ray Smith)

[Read more…]

Reminder: Oak Ridge has fireworks tonight in A.K. Bissell Park

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Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge

Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge

 

A reminder: The City of Oak Ridge is once again sponsoring a fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day. The display will be held in Alvin K. Bissell Park on Tuesday, July 4, and it is scheduled to begin at dark, around 9:45 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Community Band, now in its 73rd year, will perform prior to the fireworks. The concert is free, but donations are accepted by the band to help cover the cost of equipment and other expenses. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Anyone planning to attend is advised to bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating. A safety zone will be established by the Oak Ridge Fire Department. Please sit only in the designated areas.

What: Independence Day Concert and Fireworks Display [Read more…]