Oak Ridge Today

Kick off new year with January Jaunt at Clark Center Park, Gallaher Bend Greenway

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Clark Center Park Picnic Area

One of two large picnic areas at Clark Center Park. The park also includes a small playground, two ball fields, boat ramp, fishing trails, and beach. (File photo)

 

The City of Oak Ridge Wellness Committee and Oak Ridge Coordinated School Health will kick off the new year with a January Jaunt at Gallaher Bend Greenway and Clark Center Park. The community is invited to take part, a press release said.

The January Jaunt is a beautiful hike and walk that will showcase the greenway and park, the press release said. It will start at 9 a.m. January 10.

“The Gallaher Bend Greenway offers a quiet, forested trail with lovely vistas of Melton Lake,” the release said. [Read more…]

Holiday Hike on Cedar Hill Greenway on Saturday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The City of Oak Ridge Wellness Committee is leading a Holiday Hike on Cedar Hill Greenway on Saturday.

Hikers will walk a 2.5-mile loop. The hike starts at Cedar Hill Park at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

City employee Daniel McFee said it’s about a 1.5-hour hike, and it’s open to the public.

McFee said the hike would probably be rated beginner to moderate. It has varying terrain on a mostly single-track trail. There are some hills, but they’re not real bad, McFee said.

Discount offered for Secret City 5k, Half Marathon

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau-logo

The Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau is offering a limited-time discount to the next 100 runners who register for either the Secret City 5k or the Secret City Half Marathon to be held November 29 and 30. With a few weeks left before the race, runners and walkers are encouraged to lace up their running shoes and sign up soon to participate in one of these great family-friendly athletic events in Oak Ridge.

Runners who take advantage of this discount are eligible for $10 off the Half Marathon using coupon code SPY10 or $5 off the 5k using coupon code SPY5. This discount expires on or before November 15. [Read more…]

Atomic City swimmers have impressive performances at Lois Weir Invitational

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Lois Weir 2014

Pictured from left to right are trophy winners Mason Fischer (10, first place), Madeline Linkous (10, second place), Daniel Arnold (10, first place), Thias Brown (10, second place), and Abigail King (10, third place).

 

After a dreary week, the sun shined on the Atomic City Aquatic Club at its annual Lois Weir Invitational in Oak Ridge.

“This was the largest meet we have hosted in quite a few years, and with the help of the volunteer efforts of our parents we pulled it off without a hitch,” said Coach Mike Bowman. “It was a fantastic meet on a nice weekend.”

The swimmers were impressive as well. In the 8-and-under age group,  Steven Zhukov (8), second overall, won three events, placed second in five more, and took third twice. Elijah Linkous (7) had nine top 6 finishes and brought home a third-place trophy. Trinity Byars (7) and Monica White (7) had outstanding debut home meets for the girls.

Daniel Arnold (10) took home the 10-and-under boys all-around trophy with 10 victories and two other top 3 finishes. Thias Brown (10) challenged Arnold with four second-place finishes and five other top 5 placements en route to second. Egan Rawn (10) finished in the top 7 eight times, and Loy Creed (10) and Dylan Arnold (10) also scored points for the team. [Read more…]

Youth Turkey Trot on Tuesday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Track Club youth program will hold its annual Youth Turkey Trot on Tuesday, November 4.

This is a fun race for children from kindergarten to fifth grade, a press release said.

The children will be divided into three groups: K-1, 2-3, and 4-5, each running a one-mile race. The K-1st grade race will start at 4:30 p.m., with the other grades following.

There is a cost of $5 per athlete.

Oak Ridge has second Clark Center Park meeting on Monday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Clark Center Park Water View

A view of Melton Hill Lake near a boat ramp and between two picnic areas at Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge.

The City of Oak Ridge is hosting a second public meeting to discuss the possible transfer of Clark Center Park from the U.S. Department of Energy to the City of Oak Ridge. The meeting will be held on Monday, October 27, at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building Courtroom, located at 200 South Tulane Avenue.

At the meeting, City Manager Mark Watson and staff will provide an overview of the Federal Lands to Parks Program as it relates to Clark Center Park and the federal acquisition process. The Department of Energy is undertaking an evaluation of their property on the Oak Ridge Reservation—where Clark Center Park is located—to identify parcels that may be excess to the agency’s mission.

“The Oak Ridge community has had Clark Center Park become an important asset of our city over the years,” said City Manager Mark Watson. “Our meeting is meant to explore the pros and cons of absorbing the park as part of our Oak Ridge park system. We welcome interested residents to share their thoughts with city officials.” [Read more…]

Clinton 5k on Saturday raises money for splash pad playground

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Clinton 5k race scheduled for Saturday morning in Clinton will raise money for a splash pad playground to be built in the City of Clinton.

The Clinton 5k and One-Mile Fun Run start at 9 a.m. Saturday, October 25, at Lakefront Park in Clinton.

Organizers said the 5k and one-mile race are walker-friendly. [Read more…]

Save the Date: Second public meeting on Clark Center Park on Oct. 27

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Clark Center Park Water View

A view of Melton Hill Lake near a boat ramp and between two picnic areas at Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge.

 

The second public meeting on Clark Center Park will be held during the Oak Ridge City Council work session scheduled for Monday, October 27, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be at the Oak Ridge Municipal Building at 200 South Tulane Avenue.

The first meeting was in August. The 80-acre park could be transferred from the U.S. Department of Energy to the city.

The DOE’s Oak Ridge Office is in the process of reviewing the agency’s land holdings across the Oak Ridge Reservation, including Clark Center Park (formerly known as Carbide Park). [Read more…]

 Oak Ridge Schools celebrates International Walk to School Day on Wednesday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Schools Logo

Various Oak Ridge Schools will join schools from around the world to celebrate International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 8.

Students from Jefferson Middle School will be walking to school along with parents, teachers, and some very special guests from a local restaurant.

The JMS event will begin at 6:50 a.m. with kids, parents, and community leaders meeting at National Fitness Center. Walkers will meet at NFC and will walk via sidewalks to JMS.

Other special activities associated with the walk include a visit from the Chik-Fil-A Cows. Chik-Fil-A is also donating coupons for all the participants of National Walk to School Day at JMS. [Read more…]

ACAC swimmers exceed expectations in first short course meet

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

ACAC Madi Cottrell

Madi Cottrell (13) of the Atomic City Aquatic Club at the SAC Fall Kickoff in Sevierville. (Submitted photos)

 

ACAC Swimmers at SAC Fall Kickoff

Pictured above are Mason Fischer (back to the camera, age 10) and Julia Linkous (9).

By Chip Fischer

If the Atomic City Aquatic Club were a kicker, its performance at the SAC Fall Kickoff would be the ball that soared through the goalposts and out of the stadium.

ACAC swimmers took Sevierville by storm in their very first short course meet of the year, exceeding expectations with performances that demonstrated technical prowess and outcomes beyond expectations.

Top 6 performances scored points for the team. Many swimmers earned points with standout performances that led to trophies for most overall points in their age groups. Daniel Arnold (10) led the way with a dominant performance, taking first place in nine out of 10 individual events, winning the trophy for most overall points in the 10-and-under male group, and barely missing a perfect sweep. Kamden Batchik (12) won seven races and came in second in her other two to take the trophy for most overall points in the 11-12 group. Sydney Goodman (14) placed in all eight of her events, winning the 50 Free, 100 Breast, 200 Breast, and 200IM and taking home the trophy for High Points for the 13-14 age group. In an epic battle of 10-year-old girls, good friends Madeline Linkous and Mason Fischer faced each other in 10 races, each winning five and coming in second in five en route to a tie for most overall points for the 9-10 age group. [Read more…]

Still time to sign up, sponsor Acorn Classic golf tournament for MMC Foundation

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

ORHS Cheerleaders Decorate Hospitality House

Cheerleaders from Oak Ridge High School helped to decorate the Hospitality Houses of Methodist Medical Center for Christmas last year. The houses offer temporary lodging to patients and families who must travel for extended care at Methodist, even during the holidays. (File photo)

Player spots and sponsorship opportunities are still available for the Methodist Medical Center Foundation’s 2014 Acorn Classic. The annual golf tournament will take place on Monday, October 20, at the Oak Ridge Country Club with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Registration is open for individual players and teams, and a limited number of sponsorship opportunities are also available.

The Acorn Classic is a four-person scramble tournament open to 120 amateur players, a press release said. The entry fee is $150 per player or $600 per team of four, and it includes green fees, cart, lunch, four contest holes, and a dinner awards banquet. Proceeds will benefit the Hospitality Houses of Methodist Medical Center, which provide free lodging to cancer patients who must travel for treatment, as well as other outpatients and families as space allows.

“Join us and help the Hospitality Houses provide a home away from home to patients and their families when it’s needed most,” Acorn Classic Chair Tom Hilton said. [Read more…]

ORRA hosts Learn to Row class for visually impaired, blind

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Rowing Association Boathouse

The Oak Ridge Rowing Association boathouse at Melton Lake Park on the Clinch River.

The Oak Ridge Rowing Association will host a special Learn to Row class for the visually impaired and blind on Sunday, September 14.

ORRA is partnering with Visually Impaired/Blind Enhanced Services, or Club VIBES, to offer the class, which starts at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Club VIBES is a nonprofit organization with a mission to assist blind and visually impaired young people in the Knoxville area to live independent and productive lives by identifying their unique capacities and developing their individual strengths, a press release said. Club VIBES provides a free mentoring service for visually impaired or blind youth and their parents/guardians residing in or around the Knoxville area.

Twelve to 13 participants will launch on Sunday afternoon to engage in a new activity for those who have always wanted to try the sport but have not had the opportunity. [Read more…]