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Travelin’ McCourys and Circus No. 9 perform Saturday

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The Travelin’ McCourys and Circus No. 9 will perform Saturday, July 13, 2019, for the next Summer Sessions concert event presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union. (Photo courtesy ORNL Federal Credit Union)

The Travelin’ McCourys and Circus No. 9 will perform this Saturday, July 13, for the next Summer Sessions concert event presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union.

“Grammy Award winners The Travelin’ McCourys bring excitement and energy to all their performances with their mix of traditional and progressive bluegrass music,” a press release said. “East Tennessee’s own Circus No. 9 blurs the lines between bluegrass, jazz, and rock. The electrifying performances of The Travelin’ McCourys and Circus No. 9 are not to be missed!”

Summer Sessions is a free concert series for the community featuring bluegrass and American bands from throughout the region. 

[Read more…]

Photos: July 4 fireworks

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The annual fireworks show was in Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge on Thursday, July 4, 2019. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

The annual fireworks show was in Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge on Thursday. The Oak Ridge Community Band performed before the fireworks.

Here are photos by Julio Culiat and D. Ray Smith.

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Reminder: Fireworks tonight in A.K. Bissell Park

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Fireworks at Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge on July 4, 2017. (File photo by D. Ray Smith)

A reminder: The annual fireworks show in Oak Ridge is in Alvin K. Bissell Park tonight (Thursday, July 4).

The fireworks show is sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge to celebrate Independence Day.

Today’s fireworks are expected to begin after dark at about 9:45 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Community Band, now in its 75th year, will perform before the fireworks. The concert is free, but donations are accepted by the band to help cover the cost of equipment and other expenses, a press release said. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m. WMYL 96.7 Merle FM will be live following the band performance and will broadcast the soundtrack for the fireworks display.

[Read more…]

Community Band has July 4 concert, followed by fireworks show

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The Oak Ridge Community Band performs at the July 4 concert in 2018. (Photo by Bill Dodge)

The Oak Ridge Community Band will have its annual Independence Day concert on Thursday, July 4, at Alvin K. Bissell Park. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., and it will mark the 75th anniversary of the Community Band’s first concert, which was held on July 4, 1944.

“Come early, bring chairs or blankets for outdoor seating, and enjoy the music and fireworks,” a press release said. Refreshments will be available for sale.

This is a free event, the press release said. However, donations are appreciated to help offset band expenses.

The Community Band’s July 4 performance is a family-friendly event, and it provides an excellent opportunity to relax and enjoy a fun evening of music and fireworks, the press release said. [Read more…]

Fireworks are July 4 in A.K. Bissell Park

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Oak Ridge fireworks are July 4 in Alvin K. Bissell Park. The Independence Day fireworks show is sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge, and it is expected to begin after dark at approximately 9:45 p.m. July 4, 2019. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

Oak Ridge fireworks are July 4 in Alvin K. Bissell Park. The Independence Day fireworks show is sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge, and it is expected to begin after dark at approximately 9:45 p.m. July 4.

The Oak Ridge Community Band, now in its 75th year, will perform prior to the fireworks. The concert is free, but donations are accepted by the band to help cover the cost of equipment and other expenses, a press release said. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m. WMYL 96.7 Merle FM will be live following the band performance and will broadcast the soundtrack for the fireworks display, the press release said.

“Anyone planning to attend is advised to bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating,” the release said. “A safety zone will be established by the Oak Ridge Fire Department. Please sit only in the designated areas.”

[Read more…]

ORNL Federal Credit Union to host free bluegrass/Americana concerts

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ORNL Federal Credit Union will continue its free concert series in Oak Ridge this summer. The concerts will feature bluegrass and American bands from throughout the region, a press release said. The musicians will include Jim Lauderdale and Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, among others.

The series kicks off in June and will continue through September, a press release said. All concerts will be held from 6-9 p.m. at Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge.

The first show will be held on Saturday, June 15, and it will feature legendary songwriter Jim Lauderdale and his band, along with East Tennessee native Steve Gulley and his band, New Pinnacle, the press release said.

“The community is invited to bring their lawn chairs and their friends and family for an evening of free Americana roots music,” the press release said. Local food truck vendors and Oak Ridge’s own Crafter’s Brew will be on site, the release said.

Future concerts will be held on the following Saturdays: 

[Read more…]

Secret City Festival is Friday, Saturday

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Secret City Festival (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The two-day Secret City Festival on Friday and Saturday will feature music, food, history, science, and much more, a press release said.

The festival is hosted by the City of Oak Ridge and presented by Celebrate Oak Ridge. It will be in Alvin K. Bissell Park from 10 a.m. until about 11 p.m. on Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8.

The festival showcases Oak Ridge’s unique role in American history and scientific innovation with various events and activities for the entire family to enjoy.

Musical headliners at the concerts will include iconic rock bands Loverboy, performing on Friday, June 7, and 38 Special, performing on Saturday, June 8. Tickets for each concert are available online. The festival is free to attend, but concert-goers must purchase a ticket.

[Read more…]

A.K. Bissell Park playground temporarily closed

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department has temporarily closed Alvin K. Bissell Park Playground due to a partially fallen tree nearby, the City of Oak Ridge said Thursday, April 18, 2019. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department has temporarily closed Alvin K. Bissell Park Playground due to a partially fallen tree nearby. The playground will remain closed until crews are able to safely remove the tree, a press release said.

Safety fencing has been installed around the playground, and signs have been posted to notify the public of the closure, the press release said.

“All residents and visitors should avoid the area until further notice,” the release said.

[Read more…]

City celebrates two major projects—Preschool, Senior Center—with groundbreakings

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The City of Oak Ridge held ceremonial groundbreakings on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, to celebrate the start of two major projects: the new Oak Ridge Preschool, pictured above, with Scarboro Park improvements and the new Oak Ridge Senior Center. Construction activity is already under way at both sites, and the buildings are slated for completion later this year. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The City of Oak Ridge held ceremonial groundbreakings on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, to celebrate the start of two major projects: the new Oak Ridge Preschool, pictured above, with Scarboro Park improvements and the new Oak Ridge Senior Center. Construction activity is already under way at both sites, and the buildings are slated for completion later this year. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

The City of Oak Ridge held ceremonial groundbreakings on Monday, January 14, to celebrate the start of two major projects: the new Oak Ridge Preschool with Scarboro Park improvements and the new Oak Ridge Senior Center. Construction activity is already under way at both sites, and the buildings are slated for completion later this year.

“These projects have been in the planning stages for decades and we are making good on promises to deliver them,” Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch said in a press release. “The Preschool and the Senior Center will have a positive impact on our citizens and their families for generations to come. We are excited to see construction begin.”

Studio Four Design Inc. was chosen to design the Preschool and the Senior Center. At a special meeting in October 2018, Oak Ridge City Council unanimously approved resolutions awarding construction contracts to Jenkins and Stiles LLC totaling just more than $11 million ($8.4 million for the new Preschool and Scarboro Park improvements and $2.68 million for the new Senior Center). General obligation bonds were sold in late November to completely fund the projects.

“After years of discussion, plans for these important facilities are coming to fruition,” Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said in the press release. “The Preschool and Senior Center are welcome additions to our community. We are appreciative of all the hard work that has gone into making these amenities a reality for Oak Ridge.” [Read more…]

Monday: Oak Ridge has groundbreakings at Preschool, Senior Center

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An image showing what the new Oak Ridge Preschool at Scarboro Park could look like. (Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Studio Four Design)

An image showing what the new Oak Ridge Preschool at Scarboro Park could look like. (Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Studio Four Design)

 

The City of Oak Ridge will hold ceremonial groundbreakings on Monday, January 14, to celebrate the start of two major projects: the new Oak Ridge Preschool with Scarboro Park improvements and the new Oak Ridge Senior Center. Construction activity is already under way at both locations.

Studio Four Design Inc. of Knoxville was chosen to design the both the Preschool and the Senior Center. At a special meeting on October 11, Oak Ridge City Council unanimously approved resolutions awarding construction contracts to Jenkins and Stiles LLC.

The new preschool will be a single-story facility of about 33,000 square feet located on Carver Avenue. The build site is inside Scarboro Park, a roughly 10-acre parcel. The project includes improvements to the adjacent park area such as lighted basketball/tennis courts, a baseball field, a public pavilion, green space, and a walking trail. [Read more…]

Bonds sold Tuesday for Preschool, Senior Center

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A rendering of the new Oak Ridge Preschool at Scarboro Park. (Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Studio Four Design)

A rendering of the new Oak Ridge Preschool at Scarboro Park. (Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Studio Four Design)

 

Bonds sold Tuesday morning for three construction projects: Oak Ridge Preschool, Oak Ridge Senior Center, and Scarboro Park renovations.

The bonds sold at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said.

There were six competitors. Fidelity Capital Markets had the low bid, with an interest rate of 3.613651 percent.

It’s considered a good interest rate. Anything below 4 percent is good, Watson said.

There wasn’t a large spread between the six bidders. The highest bidder had an interest rate of 3.720288. [Read more…]

Council to consider $11.1 million in construction contracts for Preschool, Senior Center

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A rendering of the new Oak Ridge Preschool at Scarboro Park. (Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Studio Four Design)

A rendering of the new Oak Ridge Preschool at Scarboro Park. (Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Studio Four Design)

 

The Oak Ridge City Council in a special meeting on Thursday will consider $11.1 million in construction contracts for the new Oak Ridge Preschool, Oak Ridge Senior Center, and Scarboro Park improvements.

The contracts could both be awarded to Jenkins and Stiles LLC of Knoxville.

There were four bidders for the Senior Center project and three for the Preschool and Scarboro Park improvements, according to Jacene Phillips, senior project manager for Studio Four Design. Her company recommended both contracts be awarded to Jenkins and Stiles because of cost, but also because the Senior Center could be operating two months earlier under that contract than under any other bid and the Preschool would be complete three days before it would be under the other bids, Phillips said.

Both projects would be funded through general obligation bonds, a type of debt that could be issued in November.

The first contract that could be awarded Thursday is for the construction of the Preschool and improvements to Scarboro Park. The contract would be worth up to about $8.4 million. The Preschool would be built at Scarboro Park. [Read more…]

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