Oak Ridge Today

Co-director to discuss Free Medical Clinic’s role under new health care law

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Tanya Vargas

Tanya Vargas

Dr. Tanya Vargas, co-director of the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge, will discuss the role of the clinic under the new health care act in a community forum to be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Grace Covenant Church, 320 Robertsville Road.

Her presentation is entitled “The Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge after the Affordable Care Act.” Vargas said she will address the question, “If everyone is going to be insured after the Affordable Care Act, why would free medical clinics like FMCOR be needed?”

Vargas moved to Oak Ridge in 1990, after completing her pediatric training at Tulane University School of Medicine and Affiliated Hospitals, and three years of private practice in New Orleans.

She has been active in multiple organizations in Oak Ridge, including Oak Ridge Playhouse, ShowKids, Oak Ridge Baseball Association, and Montessori School of Oak Ridge. She is a founding member of the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge board of directors and has served in various capacities on that board, including service as president. [Read more…]

Free Medical Clinic has open house, ribbon cutting at new location

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The Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge will have an open house and ribbon cutting celebration at its new location next week.

The clinic has moved to an expanded location at 116 East Division Road in Oak Ridge (immediately behind Zaxby’s restaurant).

The open house will be from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 4:30 p.m.

Before moving to the new location in mid-October, FMCOR was housed in the Trinity Center on Robertsville Road. The larger facility will help to meet the ever increasing requests for care, a press release said. Since opening in January 2010, more than 3,000 patients have been served in nearly 13,000 visits. [Read more…]

Free Medical Clinic moving to larger location this weekend

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After nearly four years in its original location on Robertsville Road, the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge is moving. The clinic will be closed Friday and Monday for the move. When it reopens Tuesday, it will be at its new location at 116 East Division Road.

The new location is across the Oak Ridge Turnpike from Methodist Medical Center and behind Zaxby’s restaurant. The (865) 483-3904 phone number and (865) 481-0203 fax number will remain the same, a press release said.

The release said the larger space has more examination rooms, reception and waiting areas, and administrative office space, and it will help FMCOR better meet the needs of the increasing number of patients. [Read more…]

Local food, music served at ‘Taste of Oak Ridge’ on Sept. 28

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Red Shoes and Rosin

Female string trio Red Shoes and Rosin is one of the music groups scheduled to appear at the Taste of Oak Ridge on Sept. 28. (Submitted photo)

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The flavors from some of Oak Ridge’s best restaurants and the sounds of local musicians will fill Jackson Square for the fifth annual “Taste of Oak Ridge” on Saturday, Sept. 28. The highly anticipated event will start at 4:30 p.m. and continue to 10 p.m.

While area restaurants will be able to showcase some of their finest food in small portions or ” tastes,” the community-focused event will raise money to benefit the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge. The “tastes” from each vendor will cost $1 or $2 per item. Tickets will be available for purchase. Attendees can buy as many tickets as they want for $1 each. In addition, beer and wine will be available for purchase. [Read more…]

Taste of Oak Ridge this month features food, music

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Jackson Square Merchants Association

Members of the Jackson Square Merchants Association are pictured above. From left to right standing are Myra Langley, Debbie Magill, Jeannie O’Brien, Nancy Cosgrove, Wendy Holloway, and Bob Bardoff. Seated are Manderley Swain, Jo Ann Hasty, and Barbara Ferrell. (Submitted photo)

The Fifth Annual Taste of Oak Ridge later this month will feature small portions of food from local restaurants and music by local musicians—and raise money for the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge.

This year’s Taste of Oak Ridge is scheduled from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, in Jackson Square. The “tastes” from each food vendor will cost $1 or $2 per item. Attendees can buy as many tickets as they want for $1 each. In addition, beer and wine will be available for sale.

Taste of Oak Ridge is sponsored by the Jackson Square Merchants Association.

Free Medical Clinic hosts M*A*S*H Bash in August

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Mash Bash 2012

“Hot Lips” and “Klinger” at last year’s M*A*S*H* Bash to benefit the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

Tickets are now on sale for M*A*S*H Bash 2013, Oak Ridge’s one-of-a-kind fundraiser for the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge.

The fun-filled event, fashioned after the M*A*S*H television series, is set for Saturday, Aug. 10, in the Parish Life Center of St. Mary’s Church.

Included in the $60 per person ticket price will be a buffet dinner, door prizes, silent and live auctions. and dancing to the classic rock sounds of the Second Opinion band. [Read more…]

Ukelele-strumming duo at Friday fundraising coffeehouse

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Claire Berger and Catherine Payzant

Claire Berger and Catherine Payzant strum their ukeles as they sing. (Submitted photo)

“Clear-toned,” “folksy,” and “spine-tingling” are apt descriptions of the performance Claire Berger and Catherine Payzant will give at Friday evening’s coffeehouse at First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge.

Strumming ukeleles and singing with a unique take on both old and new songs, they plan to bring something new to each song they perform.

“When this duo plays, the room is instantly hushed,” said organizer Sumner Byrne. “They cast a spell whether playing Patsy Cline or a recent cover.” [Read more…]

Musicians to perform as coffeehouse opens second season Friday

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Sumner Byrne

Sumner Byrne

Guitars have been tuned, harmonies rehearsed and dance steps practiced in preparation for Friday’s opening of the second season of the Coffeehouse at First Presbyterian Church. The coffeehouse was started by college students last summer as a musical venue to enjoy together while raising funds for the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge.

“We had no idea how much fun the coffeehouse events were going to be when we started last year,” said organizer Sumner Byrne, a college student at George Washington University. “It became clear that the young adult crowd needed a place to hang out, listen to some great music, and reconnect with friends who are normally away at school. [Read more…]

Teens raise money for Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge

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Bowl-a-Thon for Free Medical Clinic

Teens dressed in costumes at the Bowl-a-Thon are, front, Delaney Adler, Lloyd Adler-Lombardi, Lois Johnson, Cora Lay, Sojia Ma, and Aaron Chason; and back, Ryan Mihealsick, Adam Bejnod, and Ross Landenberger. (Submitted photo)

The lights went out, the pins lit up, lasers beamed around the room, and the music started. It was Cosmic Bowling, one of most innovative ways to have fun in the entertainment galaxy. That was the atmosphere on a recent Wednesday afternoon at the Oak Ridge Bowling Center, where about 30 teens held a Bowl-a-Thon to raise money for the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge.

Oak Ridge Bowling Center owner Len Hart provided the use of the facility, the games, and shoes without cost for the fundraiser.

“I think it’s great that the kids organized this event to raise money for FMCOR,” Hart said. “I’ve been here all my life, I know the need and think that the community needs to be more involved in supporting what they do to help people.”

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Elks donate $1,500 to three local charities

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Pictured above are Gary Monday (Elks charity golf tournament committee member), Teresa Brittan (executive director for the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge), and Joe Wilkenson (Elks charity golf tournament committee member). (Submitted photo)

Pictured above are Gary Monday (Elks charity golf tournament committee member), Teresa Brittan (executive director for the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge), and Joe Wilkenson (Elks charity golf tournament committee member). (Submitted photos)

The Oak Ridge Chapter of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks has donated $1,500 to three local charities, a press release said.

On Thursday, Jan. 24, members of the Elks Lodge annual charity golf tournament committee met with the directors of the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge, and the Emory Valley Center, along with volunteer staff members at the Holiday Bureau, in order to present each of them with a $500 check, the release said.

[Read more…]