Oak Ridge Today

Taste of Anderson County, a fundraiser for United Way, is this week

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The Eighth Annual Taste of Anderson County is next week. It’s scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, September 15, in the Jackson Square parking lot. (Photo via United Way of Anderson County/Eighth Annual Taste of Anderson County on Facebook)

 

The Eighth Annual Taste of Anderson County is this week. It’s scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, September 15, in the Jackson Square parking lot.

It’s a fundraiser for United way of Anderson County.

“United Way of Anderson County is thrilled to invite the community to this event, which will feature delicious local food, live music, and free family entertainment including a magic show and balloon animals,” a press release said.

Among the local restaurants offering sample food will be The Soup Kitchen, Swifty’s, Crossroads Coffee, Aubrey’s, and more, the press release said. Tickets are $1, and all food samples will be available for two tickets each.

“This year, we also have an amazing selection of wine, beer, and moonshine tastings,” the press release said. Tasters will be able to vote for their favorite drinks, or simply enjoy an exclusive cocktail, available at the bar. [Read more…]

Dog Days of Summer in Jackson Square on Saturday, Aug. 27; enter photos by Sunday, Aug. 21

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Dog Days of Summer Pet Photo Contest August 2016

Photo contest deadline is 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21

Join us on Saturday, August 27, from 9-1 p.m. in Jackson Square for our “Dog Days of Summer.”

Crafters, artisans, antique dealers will be out selling their wares as usual. Stop by and chat with local animal groups or engage in an art activity.

Our art project for you is to enter our photography contest of your pet enjoying the “Dog Days of Summer”! Visit our website at jacksonsquareoakridge.org or Facebook page to enter your photo. Prizes will be awarded to pet/owner. Categories are elementary, middle school, high school, and adult. Vote for People’s Choice Award by visiting our events page and clicking on link. Vendors may register by visiting our webpage listed above. [Read more…]

Manhattan Project public program: Jackson Square, the city center, on Aug. 27

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Historic Jackson Square

Historic Jackson Square is pictured above. (Photo courtesy National Park Service)

 

Join a park ranger for a walk through Jackson Square. Manhattan Project National Historical Park will present a free program on Saturday morning, August 27, at 10 a.m. in Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. The program will begin in the upper parking lot of Jackson Square in front of the fountain.

During the program, park rangers will discuss how routine, tradition, and the comforts of home helped keep Oak Ridge residents focus on the mission and not their hardships, a press release said.

“We will walk to the Alexander Inn Guest House and the Chapel on the Hill during the program,” the release said.

Jackson Square is located three blocks north of the Oak Ridge Turnpike on Broadway Avenue.  If you need directions, maps are available at the National Park desk in the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge or you can call (865) 576-6767. [Read more…]

Photo: Tai Chi at Jackson Square fountain

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Tai Chi at Jackson Square Fountain June 25 2016

Tai Chi at the Jackson Square fountain on Saturday morning, June 25, 2016. (Photo by Ray Evans)

Photos: Lavender Festival in Jackson Square

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Lavender Festival in Jackson Square June 18 2016 1

The Lavender Festival in Jackson Square on Saturday, June 18, 2016. The festival included artisan vendors in the square and on Broadway. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

The 18th annual Lavender Festival on Saturday celebrated herbs, crafts, food, and music. Here are photos by Julio Culiat.

The festival celebrated the Herb of the Year, Capsicum, or hot peppers. New this year, “A Taste of Tennessee Wines” brought wine tasting to the festival. The tasting was hosted by Great Valley Wine Trail, which is made up of five independent wineries in East Tennessee.

The Lavender Festival also featured more than 100 artisan vendors, several informative presentations, children’s activities, and live musicians. Vendors lined the covered walkways of Jackson Square, the parking lot, and both sides of Broadway Avenue, which was closed to traffic.

The Oak Ridge Farmers Market was open as usual across from the square from 8 a.m.-noon Saturday.

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The Lavender Festival in Jackson Square on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Above, children stay cool playing in the interactive fountain in the center of Jackson Square. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

[Read more…]

Barbara Ferrell receives Muddy Boot Award

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David McCoy Barbara Ferrell and David Bradshaw June 17 2016

Barbara Ferrell, center, received a Muddy Boot Award in a surprise ceremony on Friday, June 17, 2016, in conjunction with the Lavender Festival in Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. Also pictured are Dave McCoy, left, and David Bradshaw. (Submitted photo)

 

Barbara Ferrell, who owns The Ferrell Shop in Jackson Square, received the Muddy Boot Award on Friday.

The award is given by the East Tennessee Economic Council. It is a tribute to people who, through their work and community activities, make East Tennessee a stronger region.

The mid-year Muddy Boot Award was given to Ferrell in a surprise ceremony on Friday in conjunction with the annual Lavender Festival in Jackson Square.

Ferrell has been a leading independent retailer in Oak Ridge for more than 25 years, a press release said. She has been the driving force behind the successful Lavender Festival, which celebrates its 18th year this year. [Read more…]

Lavender Festival: Hot peppers, thyroid health, city chicks, TN wine!

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Lavender Festival 1

Photography by Shawn Millsaps

 

Hot peppers, thyroid health, city chickens, and cooking with Tennessee wine are the topics of special presentations at the 18th annual Lavender Festival on Saturday, June 18, in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. Lavender Festival is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, with more than 100 artisan vendors. Festival admission and special presentations are free, except where noted, a press release said.

Indoor Presentations

Location: In the white building in the southeast corner of the square near the stairs [Read more…]

Jackson Square photo: Noon at the Fountain

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Jackson Square Noon at the Fountain June 7 2016

Summer vacation has started, and a dozen children and at least as many adults enjoy the interactive fountain in Jackson Square at noon Tuesday, June 7, 2016. (Photo by Ray Evans)

Lavender Festival on June 18 celebrates herbs, crafts, food, music

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Several thousand people visit Jackson Square Lavender Festival each year, now in a newly renovated Jackson Square. (Photo by Shawn Millsaps)

 

The 18th annual Lavender Festival on Saturday, June 18, will celebrate herbs, crafts, food, and music.

It’s scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 18 in the renovated Jackson Square, which now features a fountain and pleasant sitting area in the center, a press release said.

The festival will celebrate the “Herb of the Year,” Capsicum, or hot peppers.

New this year, “A Taste of Tennessee Wines” brings wine tasting to Lavender Festival, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The tasting is hosted by Great Valley Wine Trail, which is made up of five independent wineries in East Tennessee. Many of these Tennessee wines earned silver, gold, and concordance gold medals in the Wines of the South Regional Wine Competition in October 2015 at the University of Tennessee, the press release said. Adults over 21 may purchase a $10 tasting ticket, and will receive a free glass and wine tote, and the opportunity to buy bottles of Tennessee wine and meet the winemakers. Customers may enjoy the wine at seating areas at the festival, with lunch served all day by several food trucks, caterers, and restaurants. A portion of the proceeds of the wine tasting will benefit the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Arts and Antiques in the Square on Saturday

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The merchants of Jackson Square invite you to join them this Saturday, April 30, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for Arts and Antiques in the Square.

Artisans and dealers of vintage and antique items will be on hand to showcase their wares for purchase, a press release said.

There will be live music from Liza Jane and Fiddlin Curly Cottrell, and they will share their knowledge of “good ole mountain music” beginning at 12 p.m., the release said. [Read more…]

Arts and Antiques in Jackson Square starts this month

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Arts-Antiques-Jackson-Square-2016

The Jackson Square Merchants Association is starting a series of Saturday events called Arts and Antiques in the Square.

The series will be on the last Saturday of the month. It starts April 30 and runs through October 29.

“Our goal is to celebrate the local artistic talent in our area, help recycle antique/vintage items, as well as showcase the businesses in and around the square,” a press release said.

It pointed out that Oak Ridge Farmers Market is also in the square on Saturdays, starting later this month.

Arts and Antiques in the Square is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month, with setup from 8-8:30 a.m. Local artisans and vintage/antique dealers can sell, and there is a $25 cost for space. [Read more…]

CapitalMark Bank now Pinnacle Financial

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Pinnacle-CapitalMark-Sign-Unveiling-March-14-2016

CapitalMark Bank and Trust changed its name and identity to Pinnacle Financial Partners on Monday, March 14, 2016, in a sign unveiling event at its Oak Ridge office in Jackson Square. (Submitted photo)

 

CapitalMark Bank and Trust changed its name and identity to Pinnacle Financial Partners on Monday in a sign unveiling event at its Oak Ridge office in Jackson Square.

CapitalMark was merged with Pinnacle on July 31, 2015, giving the firm a presence in three additional East Tennessee counties. CapitalMark had continued to operate under its brand until the systems and operations of the companies were totally integrated with Pinnacle.

Clients from both firms will enjoy more benefits as a result of the integration, including the convenience of accessing 43 offices in Tennessee’s four urban markets—Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, and Chattanooga, a press release said.

For the past month, Pinnacle has communicated extensively with clients to explain the changes they will see in procedures, materials, and the website, www.pnfp.com, the release said. [Read more…]