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Arts festival in Jackson Square on Saturday

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Mad Hatters Art Festival Through Looking Glass 0718 390x600

The Mad Hatter’s Arts Festival in Jackson Square on Saturday will feature arts and crafts vendors, poetry, music, food, dancers, authors, and interactive arts stations.

The free festival, the first of its kind, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s presented by Through the Looking Glass Antiques and Collectibles in Jackson Square.

A Jabberwocky Poetry Slam is scheduled at Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab and Kitchen from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. An open mic will start at 2 p.m. for walk-ins who didn’t sign up for the family-friendly event but want to perform.

Sixteen local songwriters will perform original acoustic music all day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the square. There will also be musicians playing cover songs at the festival, said Linda Johnston of Through the Looking Glass.

At noon, the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet dancers will perform in the square. [Read more…]

Lavender Festival is Saturday in Jackson Square

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Image Credit: Shawn Millsaps

Lavender Festival (Image Credit: Shawn Millsaps)

 

The Lavender Festival in Jackson Square on Saturday will celebrate health, herbs, crafts, local foods—and lavender. There will also be music, children’s activities, and a wine tasting. It’s the 20th year of the festival, which is the only Lavender Festival in Tennessee.

“The Lavender Festival is a perennial crowd favorite, full of tradition, fun, and always something new,” a press release said.

The 20th annual Lavender Festival is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 16, in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge.

The festival, which attracted about 8,000 people last year, is always free, with plenty of free parking available in surrounding city and business lots, and on side streets.

As is tradition, a bagpipe player will open the festival at 8 a.m., playing from upper Blankenship Field into Jackson Square. Also keeping with tradition, Alan McBride will follow with the hammered dulcimer in the bandstand. A complete music schedule is found below.

Informative presentations will be held in the lobby of Pinnacle Financial Partners, and they will include Thyroid Health & Tips for Optimal Brain function (10 a.m.), Home-Crafted Lavender Products (11:30 a.m.), and Turning Back the Bones of Time (1 p.m.).

Also returning for its third year is “A Taste of Tennessee Wines,” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., benefitting the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Blankenship Field renovations could start in January, be complete by June

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The renovation work at Blankenship Field and Jack Armstrong Stadium could start in January and be complete by June, officials said Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

The renovation work at Blankenship Field and Jack Armstrong Stadium could start in January and be complete by June, officials said Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

 

The renovation work at Blankenship Field and Jack Armstrong Stadium could start in January and be complete by June, officials said Thursday.

The work will be done with help from a $496,000 state grant and an equal match from the Blankenship Field Revitalization Foundation, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release.

“The funds, totaling roughly $1 million, will be used to make a number of upgrades to the facility, including, but not limited to: installation of synthetic turf, concrete walkways, synthetic track, new fencing, signage for the Cedar Hill Greenway trail head, and additional restrooms,” the press release said.

The state grant for the Blankenship Field renovations is from the Local Parks and Recreation Fund, and it has been approved by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

On December 11, Oak Ridge City Council voted to amend an earlier resolution to include all the enhancements specifically outlined within the grant contract. The expected date for project completion is June 1, 2018, the press release said. [Read more…]

Holiday Market is Saturday in Jackson Square

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The Holiday Market is in Jackson Square on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, from 12-6 p.m., and vendors, music, great food, and Santa will be in the Square. This is a fundraiser for the United Way of Anderson County. (Submitted photo)

The Holiday Market is in Jackson Square on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, from 12-6 p.m., and vendors, music, great food, and Santa Paws will be in the Square. This is a fundraiser for the United Way of Anderson County. (Submitted photo)

 

The annual Holiday Market will be in Jackson Square on Saturday, December 2. It’s scheduled from 12-6 p.m. Vendors, music, great food, and Santa Paws will be there, a press release said.

“During this market, there will be a picture opportunity with the magical Santa Paws, for all your furry friends to enjoy!” a press release said. “There will also be a puppy parade with a prize for the best dressed or best cart (for our smaller furry friends). The market will also feature last-minute gift shopping from local crafters, live music all day from choirs and trios, activities for the whole family, and a tree lighting to end the evening! Come out and support your community while having a blast doing it.”

This is a fundraiser for the United Way of Anderson County, which provides services and funds to those in need in the area. Admission is free, and the portion of the proceeds from the day’s activities that will benefit United Way will help support more than 36 local nonprofit programs in the community, the press release said. [Read more…]

City, Chamber kick off holidays with ‘Shop Oak Ridge’ at Main Street on Tuesday

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A sign showing some of the stores at Main Street Oak Ridge is pictured above. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

A sign showing some of the stores at Main Street Oak Ridge is pictured above. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

 

The City of Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce will kick off the holiday shopping season with a special event called “Shop Oak Ridge” at Main Street Oak Ridge on Tuesday.

The event will begin at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 21, under the tent at Main Street Oak Ridge, the 58-acre mixed use retail development that replaced the Oak Ridge Mall, a press release said. The property was sold to RealtyLink in June 2016, and demolition of the former mall began in July 2016. Less than a year later, it had been replaced with a new concept and new stores, the press release said.

Businesses that have opened locations in Main Street Oak Ridge include: [Read more…]

Triwizard Tournament in Jackson Square today

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Jackson Square Triwizard Tournament Oct 2017

The Triwizard Tournament is in Jackson Square from 3-6 p.m. today (Saturday, November 11).

The Triwizard Tournament includes games, buttered beer, food, shops, a silent auction, owls exam, and trivia at 5 p.m. followed by 110 in the Shade playing at Razzlebery’s Lab at 7 p.m., organizers said.

“Join us for an afternoon full of family fun!” organizers said.

See the Jackson Square Oak Ridge page on Facebook for more information.

The Triwizard Tournament was rescheduled from October 28 due to rain.

Triwizard Tournament is in Jackson Square on Saturday

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Jackson Square Triwizard Tournament Oct 2017

 

Calling all Muggles and Wizards! On Saturday, October 28, from 5-9 p.m., the Jackson Square Association will be hosting its Harry Potter Triwizard Tournament.

Students of Hogwarts will be able to test their skills at the games, complete their OWL exams, observe a Quidditch demonstration by Nox Quidditch team, drink buttered beer, and shop the many stores and booths at Hogsmeade.

Professor Pott’s will be hosting a pumpkin carving contest with Harry Potter theme. Judging will begin at 8:30. Prizes will be awarded for best pumpkin.

Albus Dumbledore will be hosting a trivia tournament at 6 for interested parties. Teams of four are encouraged to register by texting Linda Johnston at (865) 335-5614 or sign up day of event. Prizes will be awarded to best dressed team and winners! Cost is $20 per team, and snacks and drinks will be provided to participants. [Read more…]

More than 400 attended Taste of Anderson County

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A file photo showing a previous Taste of Anderson County in Jackson Square. (Photo courtesy United Way of Anderson County/Taste of Anderson County)

 

More than 400 people attended the Ninth Annual Taste of Anderson County in Jackson Square the last week of September.

“Thanks to the volunteers, vendors, sponsors, and over 400 attendees, the event was a great success!” a press release said. “The whole evening was full of food, fun, and friends.”

This year, 11 restaurants from around Anderson County showcased some of their most delicious treats and eats, the press release said. Among them were Aubrey’s, Burchfield’s, Centennial Golf Course, Hot Bagel Company, Panda Express, Pizza Inn, Razzleberry’s Cafe, Riverview Grill, Smoothie Patch, and The Soup Kitchen.

McAlister’s, McDonald’s, Kroger Marketplace, and Panera donated the tea and lemonade at the event, the press release said. [Read more…]

Vehicle crashes into Jackson Square businesses

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A vehicle crashed into two businesses in Jackson Square on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017, causing interior and exterior damage, authorities said. (Photo by Daniel Powers)

A vehicle crashed into two businesses in Jackson Square on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017, causing interior and exterior damage, authorities said. (Photo by Daniel Powers)

 

A vehicle crashed into two businesses in Jackson Square on Sunday, causing interior and exterior damage, authorities said.

The single-vehicle crash was reported at about 1:20 p.m. Sunday, August 20.

The Oak Ridge Police Department said the crash injured the driver, who was taken by ambulance to Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge for treatment.

“The extent of their injuries is unknown,” the City of Oak Ridge said in a statement Wednesday. “No other injuries were reported.”

The two damaged businesses are Through the Looking Glass and All About U Hair Salon. [Read more…]

Arts & Antiques in Jackson Square on Saturday features cars, chalk art, movie, book exchange

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Arts in the Square Summer 2017 500x773

Arts and Antiques in Jackson Square on Saturday will feature vintage and antique cars, chalk art and crafts, arts and antiques, food and the Oak Ridge Farmers Market, storytellers and authors, and a book exchange and the movie “The Pagemaster.”

There are two separate rounds of activities. Both will be in Jackson Square in central Oak Ridge.

The first round of activities, Arts and Antiques in the Square, is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. It will feature the Fast ‘N Classy Car Club, which is bringing vintage, antique, and new cars that are “fast and classy.”

Also as part of the activities, Jackson Square merchants have partnered with the Oak Ridge Rotary Club to promote the upcoming Street Chalk Festival. Sponsors and artists can come and register for that festival in advance on Saturday, said Linda Johnston, owner of Through the Looking Glass in Jackson Square. Artists will be doing chalk art in the square on Saturday, Johnston said.

Arts and Antiques will also include arts and crafts vendors, the Oak Ridge Farmers Market in the parking lot on the north side of Broadway Avenue, the Jackson Square shops, and food, including funnel cake, Johnston said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge could set up committee to celebrate its 75th anniversary

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Y-12 Calutron Girls

Women enriching uranium in calutrons at Y-12 as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project during World War II. The 75th anniversary of the city that became Oak Ridge and still includes Y-12 is Sept. 19, 2017. (Photo by Ed Westcott)

 

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday will consider setting up a committee to celebrate the city’s 75th anniversary.

Oak Ridge’s birthday has been recognized on September 19. That’s because the city that is now Oak Ridge was picked for the top-secret Manhattan Project on September 19, 1942, almost 75 years ago. That was the day that General Leslie Groves approved the acquisition of 59,000 acres of land along the Clinch River for what soon became the Manhattan Project, a federal program to build the world’s first atomic bombs, before Germany could. Oak Ridge was then 90 square miles of East Tennessee farmland. It was the first site for Manhattan Project facilities.

By the time President Franklin Delano Roosevelt authorized the Manhattan Project on December 28, 1942, work on the East Tennessee site where the first production facilities were to be built was already under way.

Oak Ridge became the home of two uranium enrichment plants (K-25 and Y-12), a liquid thermal diffusion plant (S-50), and a pilot plutonium production reactor (X-10 Graphite Reactor). Groves approved Oak Ridge as the site for the pilot plutonium plant and the uranium enrichment plant in 1942. Manhattan Project engineers had to quickly build a town to accommodate 30,000 workers—as well as build the enormously complex plants. [Read more…]

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