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Sponsored: Tennessee Pirate Fest opens in Harriman next weekend

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Submitted photos (Photos in the story by Carson Hunt or Trent Eades)

Ahoy, Mates! Tennessee Pirate Fest Invites You!

The fourth annual Tennessee Pirate Fest invites you to go back in time to the “Age of Piracy.” This outdoor daytime interactive entertainment-oriented festival will be held the middle two weekends in October at the Tennessee Medieval Faire site in Harriman–just 30 miles west of Turkey Creek. Patrons will be transported to the fictional Caribbean town of Port Royale in the Tortugas, circa 1685.  

“This year, our characters are loosely based on the movies ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and ‘Captain Blood,'” said Barrie Paulson, Vice President-Manager and Entertainment Director. “Come meet the Governor of Port Royale and his daughter, British red coats, townspeople, and lots of pirates! Come with a happy heart and sense of adventure, and you’ll have lots of fun.”

Rotating on several stages will be numerous professional acts: Caribbean and Celtic music by Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers, Thunder and Spice, The CrossJacks, PanEZ Steelband, Black Mash Hollow, and Timothy Russell. There will be portable benches, but patrons are welcome to bring lawn chairs. Performing interactive comedy or dance shows will be The Tortuga Twins (PG), Einstein Simplified, and Misfit Gypsies. Some acts will be different each weekend, and schedules will be available online and at the entrance.

[Read more…]

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Sponsored: Award-winning Tennessee Medieval Faire celebrates 5th annual festival

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Photo courtesy Tennessee Medieval Faire

Discounted rooms at Baymont Inn and Suites for Faire fans

New online ticket sales and discounts available 

Earlier this year, the Tennessee Medieval Faire was awarded by 9 Lakes of East Tennessee and the Middle East Tennessee Tourism Council (covering 16 counties) an Excellence in Tourism Award as the “2018 Best Annual Festival.”

“We are very grateful for the recognition that we are adding value to our community,” said Barrie Paulson, vice president-manager and entertainment director.

Now celebrating its fifth year, the Tennessee Medieval Faire invites patrons to go back in time to the High Middle Ages (circa 1190s) and “Live the Age of Chivalry!” with Robin Hood. This outdoor interactive PG festival will spring to life on May 25 and run for three weekends, including Memorial Day.

The dates are May 25-27, June 1-2, and June 8-9. The hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Easter Time.

[Read more…]
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Sponsored: Ulster Project to celebrate peace-building with Mardi Gras event

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Ulster's Mardi Gras Feb 23 2019

The Ulster Project has been operating in the Oak Ridge and Knoxville area for almost 33 years. You can help them celebrate 33 years of peace-building in Northern Ireland and the United States by joining them for their inaugural Ulster’s Mardi Gras, where they will celebrate the Gulf Coast tradition of Mardi Gras.

The event is scheduled from 6-10:30 p.m. Saturday, February 23, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

The featured band will be a local favorite, The Missing Goats. And they expect to have some zydeco dancing lessons.

The menu will include salad, seafood gumbo, Cajun roasted pork loin and chicken, red beans and rice, Cajun green beans, chicken and sausage jambalaya, king cake (prizes for the baby), and banana pudding. Beer and wine will be available for sale, and there will be a silent auction. [Read more…]

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Sponsored: John McCutcheon concert to benefit Grove Theater

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John McCutcheon

John McCutcheon

 

In a special appearance benefiting the ongoing maintenance of the Historic Grove Theater, music lovers will have the opportunity to witness the artistry of John McCutcheon on Friday, September 28, at 7 p.m.

The concert will take place in the large auditorium of the Historic Grove Theater, which is located at 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge. Local up-and-coming Americana player Eli Fox will open the show.

The Theater has an opportunity through the generous gift by a local anonymous donor to match dollar for dollar to build funding for the maintenance of this busy historic property. Proceeds from this performance, after expenses, will be going to this effort.

“John McCutcheon is not only one of the best musicians in the USA, but also a great singer, songwriter, and song leader. And not just incidentally, he is committed to helping hard-working people everywhere to organize and push this world in a better direction.”

— Pete Seeger

“The most impressive instrumentalist I’ve ever heard.”

— Johnny Cash [Read more…]

Sponsored: Securing America from a valley in Tennessee

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Aerial: While the skyline is continuing to change, Y-12’s focus remains the same—securing America’s future.

Aerial: While the skyline is continuing to change, Y-12’s focus remains the same—securing America’s future.

 

By Bill Tindal

What is Y-12? Even to most East Tennesseans, that answer is never quite clear. Long shrouded in secrecy, the Y-12 National Security Complex has received a variety of designations over its history.

Seventy-five years ago, Y-12’s original purpose was to serve as one of several vital components to World War II’s Manhattan Project. The enriched uranium that fueled the world’s first atomic weapon was produced there, next to the “secret city” of Oak Ridge built to house the thousands of scientists, engineers, and workers throughout the Oak Ridge reservation.

Throughout the Cold War, Y-12 supplied materials, machining, and other expertise vital to keeping the peace and avoiding global conflict, while partnering with scientists to pioneer medical isotope production and providing its world-class machining capabilities for national interests.

Today, Y-12 is a key component in the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Nuclear Weapons Enterprise. With a focus on more than just nuclear weapons, Y-12 has expanded its missions to include: [Read more…]

Arts Council asks for your support in United Arts Fund Drive

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Arts Council of Oak Ridge Logo

The Arts Council of Oak Ridge is asking for your support in this year’s United Arts Fund Drive.

The annual drive kicked off March 15 and ends April 30.

Here is the letter the Arts Council sent to arts supporters in March:

Dear Arts Supporter,

Oak Ridge has always had a strong arts community—even as a secret city—and the arts continue to be essential to the health and vitality of Oak Ridge and Anderson County today. They enhance community development, spur urban renewal, attract new businesses, draw tourism dollars, create an attractive environment for skilled, educated workers, and help make the Oak Ridge area a great place to live, work, worship, and play. The arts organizations in Oak Ridge are vital because they support and supplement school activities, attract tourists and visitors, and offer volunteer and participation opportunities. [Read more…]

Sponsored: Let’s spice things up, Valentine!

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Spice Society Chili Powder

Spice Society Chili Powder

 

Organic, non-GMO herbs and spices. Come take a whiff.

Available at The Ferrell Shop at 235 Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. The Ferrell Shop is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The shop is closed on Sunday and Monday.

Call (865) 483-0961 for more information.

Valentine’s Day: Bissinger’s Chocolate since 1847

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Bissingers Signature Classic Chocolate

Bissinger’s chocolate: Fine chocolate made from all-natural ingredients for Valentine’s and every day.

Available at The Ferrell Shop at 235 Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. The Ferrell Shop is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The shop is closed on Sunday and Monday.

Call (865) 483-0961 for more information.

Sponsored: Open enrollment for health care plans ends Feb. 15

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David Vudragovich

With the changes to health care over the past few years, there are only certain times when you can enroll in or change health plans.

The open enrollment period, or OEP, ends February 15, which affects most people.

Special enrollment periods, or SEPs, can include the birth of a child, marriage, divorce, some job changes, or moving out of the service area, and they allow for a 30 or 60 day change of coverage.

But if you are not enrolled by February 15 and decide you want coverage at some other point during the year, you will need a SEP or you will not be able to enroll in a qualified health care plan.

If you do not have a qualified health care plan, you may have a penalty when you file your 2015 taxes in 2016. [Read more…]

Sponsored: Make reservations now for Valentine’s Dinner Secret City Train Ride

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Secret City Scenic Excursion Train

Secret City Scenic Excursion Train (Photo courtesy Southern Appalachia Railway Museum)

Make reservations now for the Valentine’s Dinner Secret City Scenic Excursion Train Ride!

What: Valentine’s Dinner Secret City Scenic Excursion Train Ride

When: Thursday, February 12—6 p.m.; Friday, February 13—6 p.m.; February 14—6 p.m.

Where: Depart from the Heritage Center at 2010 Highway 58 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Reservations: Tickets are $70 per person, and seating is extremely limited. For reservations, meal selections and other details, please contact our friendly ticket agent at (865) 241-2140.

Special Guest: Chef Andras and his crew will be providing a first class meal and service in our restored 1924 Southern Railway Dining Car.

Meal selections include: [Read more…]

AYSO: Register for Spring 2015 soccer season this week, next

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AYSO Region 390 Registration Jan-Feb 2015-600x280

Registration for AYSO’s Spring 2015 soccer season starts today. There are three registration dates:

  • Thursday, January 29, from 5-7 p.m.,
  • Saturday, January 31, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., and
  • Thursday, February 5 from 5-7 p.m.

“It’s almost time to play soccer in the Spring 2015 season, and you’ve got be registered to play,” AYSO Region 390 said on its website. [Read more…]

Sponsored: Tai Chi for better health

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Tai Chi Health Recovery Class

The Oak Ridge branch of the International Taoist Tai Chi Society offers a Health Recovery class. (Submitted photo)

 

By Marian Varner

January—it’s a time when many of us think about our health objectives for the coming year. We would all like to enjoy good health, but sometimes that is not easy. For some, finding an interesting, fun exercise can be a challenge. Tai Chi is one exercise option that even those who experience health difficulties of various kinds can try.

The Oak Ridge branch of the International Taoist Tai Chi Society has been teaching Tai Chi locally for about 30 years. This charitable organization includes a Health Recovery class as one of its offerings, in addition to the usual beginner and continuing classes. The Health Recovery class enables students to work with various exercises, adapted to whatever limitations each student has.

Tai Chi is known for improving the health of its practitioners in numerous ways. Most students of this ancient Chinese art discover better balance, increased flexibility, and relief from stress. With regular practice of Tai Chi, students have reported improvement in conditions such as high blood pressure, arthritis, back pain, low spirits, joint immobility, respiratory problems, digestive disorders, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, the long-term consequences of trauma or stroke, and fibromyalgia. [Read more…]

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