Oak Ridge Today

Democratic Women’s Club to Discuss Climate Change, Energy and Policy

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

“Climate and Energy and Policy, Oh My” will be the topic at the April meeting of the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club. The club will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 28, at the Clinton Community Center, 101 S. Hicks St., Clinton.

Dan Terpstra will draw from his years of research on this rapidly evolving topic to describe the history, current status and what can be done both locally and nationally to move forward on these issues.

Terpstra is a retired computer scientist who spent the last dozen years of his career working with supercomputers in the Innovative Computing Lab at the University of Tennessee.

He is a founding member of Third Act Tennessee, part of a national organization defending democracy and climate action. He has long been concerned about climate change and its impact on society.

Terpstra, of Oak Ridge, has taught several ORICL courses on climate and energy and related issues, and he has been leading an adult Sunday school class on climate and related justice issues for five years.

The club will serve pizza at 5:30 p.m., suggesting a donation of $5 for pizza. The program will begin at 6 p.m. For more information, send an email to [email protected].
###

Speakers to Discuss National Labor Relations Board at Democratic Women’s Club Meeting

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Guest speakers Derek Guy and James Taylor will discuss the National Labor Relations Board and its impact on organized labor and management at the Monday, July 29, meeting of the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club.

The meeting, from 5:30-7 p.m., will be at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 270 hall, 138 N. Lincoln Circle, Oak Ridge.

The NLRB is an independent federal agency that protects workers’ rights to organize and bargain collectively. The board also acts to prevent and remedy unfair labor practices committed by private sector employers and unions, as well as conducts secret-ballot elections regarding union representation. The speakers will discuss how the climate at the NLRB has changed under the new chairperson appointed during the Biden administration, Lauren McFerran.

Guy is a Union Organizer for IBEW Local 270 who is familiar with local labor unions and knows first-hand the pivotal role unions play in today’s labor environment. He recently participated in a labor delegation meeting with President Biden in Washington, D.C. He and his wife Regina, also a member of IBEW Local 270, have three children and are active volunteers in the Oak Ridge community.

Taylor, a partner in the Atlanta law firm Martenson-Hasbrook & Simon, LLP, has a practice focused on affirmative action compliance and regulatory issues, with experience related to federal contractors across the U.S. and with state and municipal affirmative action cases. He has extensive knowledge on regulatory practices of the NLRB and will share insights on the federal agency.

The meeting will begin with a potluck dinner featuring salads and desserts. For more information, email the Democratic Women’s Club at
[email protected].
##

Democratic Women’s Club to hear from AC Emergency Rescue Squad

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Representatives of the Anderson County Emergency Rescue Squad will be guest speakers when the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club meets at 6 p.m. Monday, January 23, at Shoney’s Restaurant, 204 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

Chief Terry Allen and Paula Daniel from the Rescue Squad will speak about the nonprofit, volunteer-run emergency response organization that serves Anderson County, a press release said. The Rescue Squad responds to a wide variety of emergency situations, including missing children, traffic accidents, water rescues, and high school training events. [Read more…]

Anderson County Democrats have picnic Saturday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Planning the picnic at the Pavilion are, from left, Ann Miller, Paula Daniel, Abbie Moore, Liz Ibbotson, Ann Mostoller, and Laura Carrington. (Submitted photo)

Anderson County Democrats will host a picnic from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, July 17, at the Pavilion at the Oak Ridge Marina on Melton Lake Drive.

Hot dogs, toppings, side dishes, and cold drinks will be provided at the picnic, sponsored by the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club and the Anderson County Democratic Party, a press release said. They request that those attending don’t bring food to share, although they may bring food for themselves. [Read more…]

New Emerge Tennessee executive director to speak with Democratic women

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Freda Player-Peters

Freda Player-Peters, the new executive director of Emerge Tennessee, will discuss the candidate training organization’s new programs at the Monday, March 15, meeting of the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club. The virtual meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom.

Emerge Tennessee aims to increase the number of Democratic women leaders from diverse backgrounds in public office through recruitment, training, and networking. Participants learn about public speaking, fundraising, campaign strategy, voter contact, and media and messaging from a team of experts who have worked on successful campaigns, a press release said.

Player-Peters was political director of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 205 from 2010 to 2018. She was responsible for all lobbying, advocacy, and electoral efforts for Local 205 in Tennessee and served on the International Public Division Leadership Board. [Read more…]

AC Democratic Women to hear about income inequality Monday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Millicent Taylor, an adjunct professor at Pellissippi State Community College, will discuss income inequality as the guest speaker at the Monday, January 25, meeting of the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club.

Taylor’s topic will be “How Low Interest Rates During the Pandemic Have Worsened US Income Inequality.” The meeting will be hosted on Zoom at 7 p.m.

Taylor has served as an international economist for the Central Intelligence Agency. She received a bachelor of arts degree in economics at Vanderbilt University, and a master’s degree and PhD in economics at the University of Tennessee. [Read more…]

Peace Vigil on Sunday at Friendship Bell

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The International Friendship Bell is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

 

A Peace Vigil Against Gun Violence will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, September 22, at the Oak Ridge International Friendship Bell Peace Pavilion in Alvin K. Bissell Park at 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike, a press release said. The vigil will feature guest speakers, music, and opportunities to write postcards to state and federal elected officials and sign a petition, the release said.

The Reverend Jake Morrill of Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will serve as moderator of the vigil. Jinx Watson, who has experienced gun violence in Knoxville, will be among speakers for the event, the press release said. [Read more…]

Knoxville Mayor Rogero to speak to Democratic women Monday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Madeline-Rogero

Madeline Rogero

 

The Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club will host an evening with Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero at 6 p.m. Monday, August 26, in the Club Room of the Clinton Community Center at 101 South Hicks Street in Clinton.

Elected in November 2011, Rogero was the 68th Knoxville mayor and the first woman to hold the office, a press release said. She was re-elected to a second term in November 2015. She is the first woman to be elected mayor in the four big cities in Tennessee—Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville, the press release said. She is term-limited, and her term will end later this year.

The press release said Rogero has focused on promoting a vibrant local economy, strong neighborhoods, a high quality of life, a thriving downtown, and a greener Knoxville. She believes Knoxville’s strength comes from the diversity of its people and the beauty of its natural resources. [Read more…]

Democratic Women’s Club meets Monday at The Other One

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club will host a social and brainstorming session at 6 p.m. Monday, May 20, at The Other One, a deli at 178 Randolph Road in Grove Center, Oak Ridge.

Those attending will be invited to gather in small groups to discuss issues that will be presented, as well as activities and the role of the Democratic Women’s Club as the country approaches the 2020 elections. The group will gather together after the small groups to develop plans based on the discussions.

The meeting is being held a week earlier than usual because of Memorial Day weekend. No reservations for the meeting are necessary. Those attending may order dinner from the menu. For more information, send an email to Ann Mostoller at [email protected] or call Mary Matheny at (865) 483-8937.

This press release was submitted by Kay Brookshire.

Today: Human Rights Rally at ORUUC

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Members of the Human Rights Rally planning committee are, from left, Sue Byrne, Ann Mostoller, Nancy Highfill, Anne Backus, and Mary Zuhr. (Submitted photo)

Members of the Human Rights Rally planning committee are, from left, Sue Byrne, Ann Mostoller, Nancy Highfill, Anne Backus, and Mary Zuhr. (Submitted photo)

 

A Human Rights Rally and March for Equality, Justice, and Inclusivity will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 19, at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The program will begin with inspirational talks, readings, and music. Then, all participants are encouraged to march from the Unitarian Church to the First Presbyterian Church along Oak Ridge Turnpike, weather permitting, a press release said.

Several organizations are sponsoring the event, which is hosted by the Unitarian Church and the Presbyterian Church. The Reverend Jake Morrill of the Unitarian Church will welcome participants. The Reverend Derrick Hammond of Oak Valley Baptist Church, the Reverend Sharon Youngs of First Presbyterian Church, and the Reverends Mark and Annette Flynn of First Methodist Church will be among speakers, and choirs from those churches will provide music. The Reverend Carol Dipboye of Grace Covenant Church will also participate. [Read more…]

Norris Bulletin publisher to speak at Democratic Women’s Club

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Jack Mitchell, editor and publisher of The Norris Bulletin, will discuss publishing a community newspaper at the Monday, October 22, meeting of the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club. The club will meet at 6 p.m. at The Other One, a deli at 178 Randolph Road in Grove Center in Oak Ridge.

Mitchell publishes the weekly Norris Bulletin, which is produced in both an e-mail version and printed version. The Bulletin, founded in 1948, celebrates its 70th birthday this year, a press release said.

A resident of Norris since 2004, Mitchell has been the editor and publisher of The Norris Bulletin since 2013. Initially, it was his intent to assume control of the community newspaper on an interim basis, when the previous owner was moving out of the country and had been unable to find anyone interested in purchasing the publication. [Read more…]

Sam Venable to speak at Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club meeting

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Sam Venable

Sam Venable

 

Sam Venable, a humor columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel, will be the guest speaker at the August 27 meeting of the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club. The club will host a light supper and silent auction at 6 p.m. Monday in a meeting room of the Clinton Community Center, which is at 101 South Hicks Street in Clinton.

Venable, a University of Tennessee graduate, has written for the Knoxville News Sentinel since 1970, first as outdoors editor and later as a columnist specializing in humor. He retired from daily duties at the newspaper in 2014 but continues to write a twice-weekly column.

The winner of more than three dozen state, regional and national writing awards, Venable is a member of the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame (Class of 2009) and the Tennessee Journalism Hall of Fame (Class of 2014). His six-part News Sentinel series “Fragments of Hate,” published during Black History Month in 2014, won the Sigma Delta Chi feature reporting award from the Society of Professional Journalists, the Investigative Reporting award from the Tennessee Press Association, and was a Pulitzer Prize nominee. [Read more…]