Oak Ridge Today

ORAU: Science-societal relationship critical to success of big data analysis

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100

The Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100 is pictured above.

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Leading experts present challenges during ORAU annual meeting

Today’s scientists working with big data to identify the next breakthrough in medical care, environmental solutions, or other critical areas need to be skillful in data analytics but also adept at communications. That was one of the key insights attendees heard recently at ORAU’s 70th annual meeting of its Council of Sponsoring Institutions, titled “Big Data Analytics: Challenges and Opportunities.”

“For science to prosper, the science-society relationship must be positive and strong,” said keynote speaker Alan Leshner, chief executive officer emeritus for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS. Leshner, who holds a doctorate in physiological psychology from Rutgers University, told the audience that many scientists are not prepared to talk about their work and its implications with the public. [Read more…]

ORUUC has free community meal on Friday, March 27

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The Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church has a free community meal on Friday, March 27. Everyone is invited, a press release said.

The Stone Soup Ministry team will be serving a homemade meal of chili, corn muffins, cookies, and fruit. Dine-in or take-out will be available in the ORUUC Social Hall from 5 to 6 p.m. The church is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

AC Animal Welfare Task Force meets Monday, March 30

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The Anderson County Animal Welfare Task Force will meet at 4 p.m. Monday, March 30. The meeting will be in Room 118A at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

Garden tool sharpening workshop with UT Arboretum Society, Downtown Hardware

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University of Tennessee Arboretum Society Logo

A garden tool sharpening workshop will be offered by the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society on Saturday, March 28, at the UT Arboretum shop in Oak Ridge.

The workshop will be led by Roger Clary and Doc Ferguson of Downtown Hardware in Oak Ridge. It will focus on chainsaw, lawnmower, and garden hand tools. It’s scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. at the UT Arboretum shop, which is 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

“Follow directional signs from the UT Arboretum up to the shop area, where parking will be provided for the event,” a press release said. [Read more…]

Dainiak named director of REAC/TS

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Nicholas Dainiak

Nicholas Dainiak

Radiation response specialist has more than 35 years of medical expertise

Nicholas Dainiak has been named director of the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site, or REAC/TS, at the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.

A deployable asset of the U.S. Department of Energy, REAC/TS provides 24/7 emergency medical response for incidents involving radiation anywhere in the world, a press release said. REAC/TS also provides direct support for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Emergency Operations and the Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center, or FRMAC.

Adding to its depth of radiation response and consultation capabilities, REAC/TS is uniquely qualified to teach medical personnel, health physicists, first responders, and occupational health professionals about radiation emergency medicine, the release said. REAC/TS also operates an acytogenetic biodosimetry laboratory, one of only two in the U.S., where chromosome aberration analysis is used for ionizing radiation dose assessment. [Read more…]

Roane State has ACT Prep Workshop on April 11

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Students can sign up now through April 4 for an ACT Prep Workshop at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus on April 11.

Students will learn hidden rules of the ACT during the workshop, which is presented by Roane State Community College and SailAway Learning at the college’s Oak Ridge campus, a press release said.

Seating is limited, and the registration deadline is April 4. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge household trash pick-up starts Monday, March 30

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The citywide household trash pick-up program in Oak Ridge will start on Monday, March 30. Household rubbish, old appliances (compressors must be removed from refrigerators and air conditioners), and minor remodeling materials will be picked up.

City collection efforts will follow the accompanying schedule as closely as possible, a press release said. The proposed schedule is a general guide and can vary considerably from the actual schedule due to weather conditions and/or the amount of participation by residents.

“Residents have always been very cooperative and we ask for their continued cooperation this year by following a few guidelines,” the release said. [Read more…]

DOE deputy secretary meets two ‘Calutron Girls’ at Y-12

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DOE Deputy Secretary and Calutron Girls

Two of the calutron girls met with DOE Deputy Secretary of Energy Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall during her visit to Oak Ridge. Seated from left to right are Petty Stuart and Ruth Huddleston. Standing left to right are Kathryn Grant, special assistant to the deputy secretary; commander Wayne Smith, senior military assistant; Sherwood-Randall and Timothy McClees, chief of staff. (Photo courtesy CNS)

 

When Deputy Secretary of Energy Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall was in Oak Ridge last week, she met two “Calutron Girls” at the Y-12 National Security Complex.

Peggy Stuart and Ruth Huddleston both came to Y-12 when they were 18 years old. They both were recruited as seniors in high school when someone from Oak Ridge, a place Peggy did not know existed, came to their schools and invited them to join the war effort.

Peggy said: “My friend had worked there and got lonesome for home in Sneedville, Tennessee. When she decided to go back to Oak Ridge, I came with her. They did not hire her because she did not stay when she was there before, but I got a job.”

Ruth was living in Oliver Springs. When the Manhattan Project began, she knew that something big was happening, so she applied for a job and got it. Peggy and Ruth both married and have spent most of their lives in this area. [Read more…]

What’s happening in Oak Ridge March 21-25

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Here is a summary of events happening in Oak Ridge from Saturday, March 21, and continuing through March 25.

This weekly listing of events is compiled by the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau: [Read more…]

Methodist Medical Center celebrates Certified Nurses Day

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Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge observed Certified Nurses Day on Thursday, March 19, by honoring all of the board-certified nurses who work at the hospital.

Board certification of nurses plays an important role in assuring high standards of patient care.

“Nursing, like health care in general, has become increasingly complex,” said Janice McKinley, senior vice president and chief nursing officer for Covenant Health, parent company of Methodist Medical Center. “Board certification means that a nurse has successfully completed extensive specialized education, and has made a strong personal and professional commitment to excellence. These are the expert nurses who work throughout our health system.” [Read more…]

Legal Aid Society kicks off 2015 Campaign for Equal Justice

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2015 Legal Aid Leadership Cabinet

Legal Aid Society’s 2015 Leadership Cabinet is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

 

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Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands kicked off its 2015 Campaign for Equal Justice, Legal Aid Society’s annual fundraising initiative, on Tuesday, March 17, with a luncheon at the Nashville City Club. This year, Legal Aid Society’s goal is to raise $800,000 to support its mission to provide free legal assistance to low-income residents throughout Middle Tennessee and the Cumberland Plateau.

Legal Aid Society has an office in Oak Ridge.

The Tuesday luncheon sent a message to the community at large: The legacy and important work of Legal Aid Society must live on. This message was affirmed by a keynote panel discussion moderated by Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Lee and featuring two former Legal Aid Society executive directors: Ashley T. Wiltshire Jr. and Judge Walter C. Kurtz. [Read more…]

Main Street Oak Ridge rezoning, master plan to be considered Thursday

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Main Street Oak Ridge Presentation

Pictured above during a Monday presentation on Main Street Oak Ridge are Crosland Southeast partner James Downs, right; Barry James, Crosland Southeast senior vice president, center; and Houston E. Daugherty, Cannon and Cannon vice president.

 

The Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission will consider a rezoning request for Main Street Oak Ridge during a Thursday meeting.

The Planning Commission will also consider a planned unit development, or PUD, master plan for the project.

Main Street Oak Ridge is the redevelopment of the former Oak Ridge Mall, now officially known as the Oak Ridge City Center.

The Thursday meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. in the Oak Ridge Municipal Building Courtroom. [Read more…]