Oak Ridge Today

City manager to present State of City on Tuesday

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Randy Hemann (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

Oak Ridge City Manager Randy Hemann is scheduled to present the State of the City of Oak Ridge during a lunchtime meeting on Tuesday.

Hemann has been city manager since November 1, 2023.

His Tuesday presentation is to the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge. It is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The presentation will begin at noon, and it has been organized by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge. You don’t have to be a League member to attend.

“All are welcome to bring their lunch or purchase a boxed lunch for a nominal fee,” a press release said. “Coffee and tea will be served.”

[Read more…]

Melton Hill Reservoir to be lowered for cleaning, maintenance

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Melton Hill Reservoir (Photo courtesy Tennessee Valley Authority)

Melton Hill Reservoir will be temporarily lowered two to four feet between March 24 and April 3 to allow property owners to perform annual spring cleaning and dock maintenance.

The Tennessee Valley Authority will hold the reservoir between 790 and 792 feet for about 12 days beginning Sunday, March 24, a press release said. Melton Hill will be returned to its normal winter elevation by April 4.

“Please note that drawdown targets and dates could change due to potential rainfall, so residents are asked to remain flexible,” the press release said.

[Read more…]

Clinton desegregation book wins history award

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A book about the desegregation of Clinton schools won the Tennessee History Book Award for 2023.

The book is “A Most Tolerant Little Town: The Explosive Beginning of School Desegregation.” It was written by Rachel Louise Martin, a historian and writer, a press release said.

The award was announced by the Tennessee Historical Commission and the Tennessee Historical Society. The award prize includes $2,000.

[Read more…]

Three students, schools selected for ORNL FCU art, mural program

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Three students and schools have had their art work selected for the ORNL Federal Credit Union’s Community Art and Mural Program.

Introduced in 2017, the Community Art and Mural Program was created to support initiatives that make the arts accessible to all and help our communities thrive. The 2024 mural theme was “new beginnings,” a press release said.

“Congratulations to the following students and schools,” the press release said:

[Read more…]

Household hazardous waste drop-off in Roane County on Saturday

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The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation mobile household hazardous waste collection service will be in Roane County on Saturday, March 9.

Tennesseans are encouraged to bring household hazardous waste – including cleaning fluids, pesticides, swimming pool chemicals, and more – to a designated drop-off location, a press release said. A person does not need to live in the county to participate.

On Saturday, the drop-off location is:

[Read more…]

Registration open for city athletic leagues

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Team registration for the City of Oak Ridge Department of Recreation and Parks’ 2024 Spring Softball and Spring Outdoor 3×3 basketball season is now under way.

For softball, a Men’s League will be offered on Monday evenings with a possibility of Thursday makeup games. A recreational and a competitive coed league will be offered on Tuesday evenings with possibilities of Thursday make up games.

For basketball, an 18+ Open League will be offered on Wednesday evenings with a possibility of Thursday makeup games.

[Read more…]

Oak Ridge Philharmonia has free concert in March

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The Oak Ridge Philharmonia will have a free concert in March, performed on two separate dates in Oak Ridge and Knoxville.

“We hope you can join us for a generous portion of fun and very enjoyable music,” a press release said.

The concerts will include:

  • Muzio Clementi, “Symphony No. 4”
  • Claude Debussy, “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun”
  • Heitor Villa-Lobos, “Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4”

Here is the concert schedule:

  • Sunday, March 10, at 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Oak Ridge, 1101 Oak Ridge Turnpike
  • Sunday, March 17, at 4 p.m. at Cokesbury United Methodist Church, 9919 Kingston Pike, Knoxville

“As always, the concert is provided with free admission, but we certainly appreciate donations that can be given at the concert or through our wonderful website,” the press release said. “We encourage you to visit our website and read about our orchestra: https://www.oakridgephilharmonia.org/.”

More information will be added as it becomes available.

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Chamber’s Small Business of the Month: Bob’s Washboard Laundromat

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Bob’s Washboard Laundromat, the only wash and fold service in Anderson County, has been named the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Month for February 2024. (Submitted photo)

Bob’s Washboard Laundromat, the only wash and fold service in Anderson County, has been named the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Month for February 2024, a press release said.

“This award recognizes Bob’s Washboard Laundromat’s unique business concept, their commitment to providing superior service to their clients, as well as their contributions to the Oak Ridge community,” the press release said.

Bob’s Washboard Laundromat was founded in October 2010 by Robert Burseth. In the summer of 2023, he remodeled and relocated the business to 113 Robertsville Road in Oak Ridge, which now includes a wash and fold service inside. There are traditional self-serve washers and dryers available, but unlike most, their laundromat has attendants available to assist patrons, the press release said. [Read more…]

C&D Tire remains closed for now after fire

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C&D Tire in Oak Ridge remains closed until further notice, according to a sign posted on its door on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. The popular tire store had a fire on Feb. 2, which remains under investigation. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

A popular tire store in Oak Ridge remains closed after a fire this month.

A sign posted on C&D Tire on Sunday said the store will be closed until further notice.

In the meantime, the fire is under investigation, and there is yellow fire line tape strung across doors.

[Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society has hike on Feb. 17

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A hike at the University of Tennessee Arboretum in Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will have a Third Saturday hike on Saturday, February 17.

The free, guided mid-winter hike is open to everyone. It will start at 9 a.m. February 17 at the 260-acre UT Arboretum at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

“Enjoy the forests and trails in this lovely, wooded setting,” a press release said. “Newcomers as well as previous participants are invited to join the hike. The hikes have been a staple of the UT Arboretum and UT Arboretum Society for over 15 years. This is a great opportunity to ‘walk off’ the holiday celebrations and get outside for some fresh air and exercise.”

[Read more…]

Chamber’s small business of month: Yes! Go Travel

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Yes! Go Travel, a company that specializes in motorcoach and cruise travel planning for large groups, has been named the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Month for January 2024. (Submitted photo)

Yes! Go Travel, a company that specializes in motorcoach and cruise travel planning for large groups, has been named the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Month for January 2024.

“With a leap of faith and love for travel, Suzie Housley opened Yes! Go Travel in August 2022,” a press release said. “They offer group travel opportunities, including one-day and multiple-day trips in the United States and international locations. Additionally, the company can assist in booking affordable motorcoach and cruise line transportation. The owner has even recently joined the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) to become further educated for her clients, reach new vendors, and ultimately expand her business.”

The press release said Housley has 14 years of travel industry experience as a travel director of a now-disbanded program. [Read more…]

Playhouse presents ‘Cemetery Club’ comedy

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The Oak Ridge Playhouse will present the comedy “The Cemetery Club” in seven performances from February 9-18. (Photo courtesy Eric Smith/Oak Ridge Playhouse)

The Oak Ridge Playhouse will present the comedy “The Cemetery Club” in seven performances from February 9-18.

“The story concerns three widows and longtime friends who gather each month to visit their husbands’ graves,” a press release said. “Doris wants to continue mourning her loss. Ida wonders if it’s time to move on. Lucille pretends to move on—but hasn’t. Their outlooks on life, and responses to becoming widows vary, but the drama begins in earnest when they meet the local butcher, Sam, who has recently lost his wife. It looks as if a new love is on the horizon for some, however, not everyone approves.”

The press release said “The Cemetery Club,” by Ivan Menchell, was originally produced in 1987, and it “addresses the challenges of growing older with plenty of laughs and witty banter along the way. Characters share beautiful and lively bonds (think ‘Steel Magnolias’ meets ‘The Golden Girls’) as they explore an optimistic look at renewal after loss.”

[Read more…]