Oak Ridge Today

Roane Alliance Education Matters! program takes home the ‘Gold’

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IEDC Award

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The Roane Alliance’s Education Matters! program has been selected as a Gold Award recipient by the International Economic Development Council, or IEDC, for excellence in economic development.

The award was presented at the 2013 IEDC Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Pa., on Tuesday. Receiving the award on behalf of The Alliance was Leslie Henderson, Alliance president and chief executive officer, and Allen Lutz, education and workforce development specialist at The Alliance.

Education Matters! received the award in the category of Partnerships with Educational Institutions in communities with a population between 25,000-200,000. According to the IEDC, their Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most influential leaders. [Read more…]

Camera Club seeking East Tennessee entries for photography show, competition

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East Tennessee’s most prestigious photography show and competition is underway for its 65th year. The Camera Club of Oak Ridge is inviting all East Tennessee photographers—both professional and amateur—to submit entries to their annual Salon.

Entries will be exhibited at the New Hope Center in Oak Ridge during November and December. A community reception and gallery walk will be held on Friday evening, Nov. 15.

Photographers may enter digital images, color prints, or black and white prints. There are three new categories this year. Categories are Architecture, Creative Vision, Creative Development, Inanimate Objects, Landscapes, People, Plants, Scenic, Urbanscapes, and Wildlife. [Read more…]

Grace Lutheran has candle lighting service for those with mental health issues

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Grace Lutheran Church of Oak Ridge will host a candle lighting service in support of those challenged by mental illness, substance use disorders, and other brain disorders at 5 p.m. Sunday. Everyone is welcome, and a special invitation is extended to family members, members of all area churches, community organizations, and the healing professions from neighboring counties.

One in four adults experiences a mental health problem in any given year, and 50 percent will experience this problem at some time during their lives. One in five young people aged 13 to 18 also experience mental illness. These numbers continue to grow.

“The church is in a unique position to provide a community of support for those who are in pain,” Pastor Steve Damos said. “We can provide solace and faith, and be compassionate advocates for those seeking recovery and wholeness.” [Read more…]

Reminder: Grammy-winning bassist Edgar Meyer plays today

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Edgar Meyer

The internationally renowned Oak Ridge bassist and composer Edgar Meyer, winner of four Grammy awards, will open the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association’s Chamber Music Series with a one-man concert at 7:30 p.m. today (Saturday) at the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center. (Submitted photo)

The internationally renowned Oak Ridge bassist and composer Edgar Meyer, winner of four Grammy awards, will open the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association’s Chamber Music Series with a one-man concert at 7:30 p.m. today (Saturday) at the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center.

Meyer, who grew up in Oak Ridge and graduated from Oak Ridge High School, plays a unique role in the contemporary music scene, with compositions and performances in both classical and jazz traditions, and even in some remarkable combinations of both. He was hailed by the “New Yorker” as “…the most remarkable virtuoso in the…history of his instrument.”

As a solo classical bassist, Meyer has released a concerto album with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra featuring Bottesini’s “Gran Duo” with well-known violinist Joshua Bell, Meyer’s own “Double Concerto for Bass and Cello” with internationally renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Bottesini’s “Bass Concerto No. 2,” and Meyer’s “Concerto in D for Bass.” [Read more…]

Singer, songwriter plays free show at Community Coffee Café today

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Singer and songwriter Brad Austin will play a free concert tonight (Saturday) at Community Coffee Café in Oak Ridge.

The show starts at 9.m. The café is at 32 N. Jefferson Circle.

Austin is a Knoxville folk and Christian pop musician who will support 555 with tonight’s show and debut songs for his new album, a press release said.  It will be his first Oak Ridge show in three years. [Read more…]

Wildcats beat Karns 56-28; three ‘big’ district games remain

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Oak Ridge Wildcats and Karns Beavers

Jaleel Luster, right, a junior running back, was one of six Oak Ridge Wildcats to score during a 56-28 win over the Karns Beavers on Friday. (Photos by Julio Culiat)

Note: This story was last updated at 10:47 a.m.

Six players scored eight touchdowns as the Oak Ridge Wildcats beat the Karns Beavers 56-28 on Blankenship Field on Friday.

It was the third time this season that the Wildcats have scored more than 50 points.

Coach Joe Gaddis said the Wildcats (5-2, 4-1 in the district) played well on offense, but he was troubled by a few passes the defense allowed when Oak Ridge was in control of the game.

“We don’t want to give up those long touchdowns,” Gaddis said. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society has fall plant sale Saturday

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University of Tennessee Arboretum Society Plant Sale

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society’s Fall Plant Sale is Saturday at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge.

The plant sale is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the arboretum, which is at 901 S. Illinois Ave.

“Fall is the ideal time to add plants to the landscape,” a press release said. “Milder temperatures, more dependable rainfall, and the fact that plants are not putting energy into their top growth, but devoting all their resources to developing a stronger root system, will give them a head start in the spring and a much better survival rate.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge deer hunt canceled due to government shutdown

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has announced that the deer hunt at the Oak Ridge Wildlife Management Area scheduled for Oct. 19-20 was canceled as a result of the federal government shutdown.

Earlier this week, U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Operations began what they call “an orderly shutdown in support of obtaining a safe and secure status.” TWRA said 1,125 hunters had been selected via a lottery system for the hunt. Any fees they paid to participate are non-refundable.

There are two more deer hunts scheduled in November and December, but no decision has been made about them yet. Hunters may contact the Oak Ridge WMA check station on Saturday, Oct. 12, at (865) 576-2380 from 7 a.m. EST until noon. For any additional questions concerning the cancellation, contact the TWRA Region III Office at (931) 484-9571. TWRA will announce how the priority point totals will be handled as soon as a decision has been made.

Congressman: House votes to fully fund Y-12 during government shutdown

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U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann

Chuck Fleischmann

Note: This story was last updated at 5:22 p.m.

The federal government remains shut down over a funding dispute, but the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Friday morning that would fully fund the Y-12 National Security Complex and other security functions, Congressman Chuck Fleischmann said.

Fleischmann, a Tennessee Republican whose district includes Oak Ridge, called it a matter of national security. Y-12 is one of the nation’s nuclear weapons plants, but it started an “orderly shutdown” on Monday because Congress has failed to pass a spending bill in the fiscal year that started Oct. 1.

Fleischmann expressed concern about the shutdown in a speech on the House floor. [Read more…]

Fire Prevention Week: State reminds Tennesseans to prevent kitchen fires

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It’s Fire Prevention Week this week, and from Oct. 6-12 the State Fire Marshal’s Office is joining forces with the National Fire Protection Association to remind local residents to “Prevent Kitchen Fires.” During this year’s fire safety campaign, fire departments will be spreading the word about the dangers of kitchen fires—most of which result from unattended cooking—and teaching local residents how to prevent kitchen fires from starting in the first place.

According to the latest NFPA research, cooking is the leading cause of home fires. Two out of every five home fires begin in the kitchen—more than any other place in the home. Many of these fires occur within minutes of residents leaving the kitchen.

“Cooking fires are the second leading cause of fatal fires in Tennessee so far this year,” said State Fire Marshal Julie Mix McPeak. “Fifteen percent of fire victims died from fires caused by cooking. To prevent these tragedies, we must be mindful in the kitchen.” [Read more…]

Girl Scouts looking for adult volunteers in Anderson County

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With many girls looking for Girl Scout troops to become a part of amid a shortage of adult volunteers, the Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians invites adult volunteers to apply for a role within Anderson County’s network of active troops.

GSCSA reports that there is a waiting list of girls who want to become part of a troop within Anderson County but cannot due to a lack of enough adult volunteers.

“A lot of people don’t know that you don’t have to be the mom of a girl to be a Girl Scout volunteer,” said GSCSA Chief Executive Officer Booth Kammann. “Dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents, or anyone else looking to help girls in their community to learn and grow within a troop’s many activities and adventures is invited to apply for a volunteer role.” [Read more…]

Methodist church has Oct. 30 fundraising festival for Second Harvest

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Canned Food Labyrinth

Pictured above is a food labyrinth like the one that will be constructed at a Harvest Festival at First United Methodist Church on Oct. 30. (Submitted photo)

A fall festival at the end of this month will raise money for Second Harvest Food Bank.

The annual Harvest Festival is scheduled from 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, on the front lawn of First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge.

Children are encouraged to wear a costume and celebrate with crafts, games, inflatables, and face painting, a press release said.

Second Harvest is East Tennessee’s local food bank. [Read more…]