THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE
N E W S L E T T E R

 a u g u s t   2 0 1 7
v o l u m e  3 ,   i s s u e  8

HERE'S WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE!
OAK RIDGE CELEBRATES 75th ANNIVERSARY
ANNOUNCEMENTS PLANNED FOR AUGUST 31
Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch announced this week that the City will form a committee to help coordinate and circulate information about the City's 75th Anniversary.
 
In September 2017, the City of Oak Ridge will begin its 75th Anniversary Celebration. The festivities continue through the end of 2018 and will showcase events, including a lecture presented by the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association on September 15, 2017, titled "The Legacy of Place" by guest speaker Denise Kiernan, author of "The Girls of Atomic City" and "The Last Castle." 
 
The Oak Ridge Fire Department plans to host "Then and Now," a 1940s-era Fire Prevention Parade along Oak Ridge Turnpike on October 7, 2017. Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Y-12 National Security Complex will celebrate the anniversaries of their respective beginnings as well. These are only a few examples of the events in store for the community over the next year. Additional events will be announced as they are confirmed.
 
There will be a news conference to introduce the Mayor's 75th Anniversary Committee, reveal the 75th Anniversary logo and officially launch the 75th Anniversary website. The news conference will be held at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce (1400 Oak Ridge Turnpike) on Thursday, August 31, at 11:30 a.m., with an informal social event to follow. Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
 
For more information, contact Explore Oak Ridge at (865) 483-1321.
TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE VISIBLE IN OAK RIDGE
Did you watch the solar eclipse in Oak Ridge on August 21st? Thousands of people did! We encountered visitors from all over the country. People from New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Kentucky all ventured to our wonderful community to experience a rare and beautiful celestial event.






35-year-old Meir Niad and 34-year-old Abby Kaplan actually got engaged right after totality concluded. Meir messaged us on Facebook to tell us the story. He said that he wrote "Will you marry me?" on his eclipse glasses and handed them to Abby. She said yes! Here's a great picture of them right after it happened!



Oak Ridge residents Meir and Abby share their post-engagement photo from solar eclipse day. See below for a closer look at the inscription, which reads: "Abby, I love you so much. Will you marry me?" Congratulations from the City of Oak Ridge!



Oak Ridge Schools kept their doors open for the solar eclipse and they certainly made the most of it. Families were invited to join students for the experience. Our teachers took advantage of the once in a lifetime opportunity to show science in action and planned lots of fun experiments that will be remembered forever. Students outside the path of totality were able to take field trips to other viewing locations.



Linden Elementary students (above) examine UV beads to watch how they change under different levels of sun exposure. Willow Brook Elementary students (below) practice safe solar viewing with their eclipse glasses in the days leading up to the event.



Wondering when the next total solar eclipse will happen? According to NASA, 2024 is our next opportunity here in the U.S., but you'll have to travel if you want to see totality. The path doesn't cross over any part of East Tennessee the next time around.

Until then, you can check out some of the awesome pictures shared with us on social media this week...


Photo by: Rachel Adkins


Photo by: Gordon Kellie Trynor



Photos by: Sara Wieland


Oak Ridge landscape during totality, photo by: Stacie Lynn


Darkness progresses in Oak Ridge during the eclipse, photos by: Catherine Bell
FINAL COMMUNITY MEETING FOR PRESCHOOL
DISCUSSION FOCUS: RECREATION & BUDGET
As part of the ongoing dialogue with the community regarding the new Oak Ridge Preschool, City leaders will host a fifth and final public forum-style meeting at the Scarboro Community Center on Thursday, September 7, 2017, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This meeting will focus on the recreational amenities in Scarboro Park as well as the current budget and estimated costs for the project.

Four previous meetings have been held this year at Scarboro Community Center to discuss plans for the facility: March 23, April 20, May 25, and July 11. Those in attendance have been able to see preliminary concepts, ask questions and provide input on decisions. Following the July meeting, when conceptual designs were affirmed by the community, architects began work on construction drawings. No additional community meetings are expected as the project moves forward, but those interested in providing feedback can still do so during regular meetings of City Council and the Board of Education.

Click here to view conceptual designs for the new preschool.

Oak Ridge City Council voted in March to select Scarboro Park as the location for a new preschool. The City of Oak Ridge and Oak Ridge Schools had been working to choose a site for approximately two years. Once the new building is complete, the preschool will relocate from the school administration building on New York Avenue. Scarboro Park is across the street from the Scarboro Community Center on Carver Avenue.

Members of City Council and the Oak Ridge Board of Education will be present at the upcoming community meeting, along with City staff members and a representative from Studio Four Design, the architectural firm selected for the project. Citizens will be able to ask questions and are encouraged to provide suggestions about recreational amenities related to the project.

What:             Community Meeting on New Oak Ridge Preschool

When:            Thursday, September 7, 2017, at 6:00 p.m.

Where:           Scarboro Community Center
                       148 Carver Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830

Visit our Facebook event page to let us know if you plan on attending!
MAIN STREET OAK RIDGE UPDATE: 
EIGHT NEW STORES ARE OPEN!
undefined
In case you haven't been by Main Street Oak Ridge lately, all eight of the new stores announced for the redevelopment are now open for business! 

The stores are: Dick's Sporting Goods, T.J.Maxx, Maurices, Rue 21, Rack Room Shoes, Ulta, PetSmart, and Electronic Express.

Ulta held their grand opening celebration August 18-20 after a soft opening the weekend before. More than 100 people were in line when the doors opened on Friday the 18th. 



A detailed map provided by RealtyLink (below) shows what the project is expected to look like once it's finished. More updates are expected as the project moves forward. Visit our City of Oak Ridge Facebook page to see updated photos and videos of the Main Street project, as well as many other events happening around town. 



"LOI" stands for Letter of Intent. For a larger and clearer image, visit RealtyLink's website.


As a reminder, Belk and JCPenney are OPEN and have been throughout demolition and construction for Main Street Oak Ridge. Additional retail space is also being constructed. We'll have more updates as the progress moves into the next phase.
2ND ANNUAL PUPPY POOL PARTY A SUCCESS!
The outdoor pool season ended with what's become a very popular event for pet owners in Oak Ridge: the Puppy Pool Party.

On August 19th, the day after the final public swim for the year, around 100 dogs got to take a splash in the pool. It's a lot of fun for pets and their owners, but it also helps a great cause. Participants have the option of waiving the $3 per pet admission fee if they donate supplies to the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter. 

Pet Supplies Plus also donated some special treats for the pups at the party. Thanks so much to them for their help! And thanks to everyone who took part in the event this year.

We'll see you next summer!


Photos by: Lauren Biloski
OAK RIDGE CITY BLUEPRINT: NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS BRING COMMUNITY TOGETHER
The City of Oak Ridge's Community Development Department is continuing the Oak Ridge City Blueprint effort. Most recently, they organized an open house focused on the Emory Valley, Briarcliff and Lakeview residential areas for August 14th at Jefferson Middle School. An estimated 140 people attended the meeting to  ask questions and share thoughts with City staff and board representatives about possible neighborhood improvements.




The blueprint is being coordinated by Community Development, with input from the Oak Ridge Planning Commission, as well as other boards, commissions and City leaders. Once finished, it will be a guiding document that provides direction for future growth, development and decision-making. Community Development is planning to host additional meetings as they move forward in order to gain insight and input from other neighborhoods. Please note that no formal presentation is planned for these events. Those attending can come and go anytime during the open house to share ideas and learn more about City projects.

A blueprint kick-off meeting was held in January with more than 500 people in attendance. A summary of the feedback gathered during that meeting is available for review on the City of Oak Ridge website  . The blueprint is now focused on identifying and defining priorities for subareas. Residents can  review subarea plans online  and keep track of upcoming meeting dates.

For more information on the open house events and the Oak Ridge City Blueprint effort, contact the Community Development Department at (865) 425-3531.
COMMUNITY HERO VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS MATT REEDY OF REC AND PARKS
As you may know, Recreation Manager Matt Reedy was recently chosen as an ICMA "Life, Well Run" Community Hero for 2017. He's one of just ten people from across the country to receive the honor. 

His impact on the youth community here in Oak Ridge is undeniable. He has been recognized many times for his ability to bring different groups together in multi-generational settings. And as the organizer of the annual high school Graduation Celebration event, he has been able to engage significant private sponsors and community volunteers to ensure a safe, high-quality event for the town's future adult citizens. The event raises thousands of dollars and ensures that every senior leaves the all-night celebration feeling like a winner who has pride in their community.

Former Youth Advisory Board member Stella Powell said "As a mentor, Matt believes in each board member more than they believe in themselves. I have used him as a reference for job applications on several occasions and he is always eager to turn the hushed, half-hearted suggestion of a quiet student into action. Truthfully, I have not seen anyone more passionate for his job or optimistic for the future of his town than Matt Reedy, and I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment I have gotten to work with him."




ICMA followed along with Matt for a day several weeks ago to talk to him about his job in Oak Ridge. We think the video turned out amazing and we shared it during the August meeting of City Council, just a few days after it was finished. In case you haven't seen it yet, just click here to take a look.

Congratulations again, Matt Reedy! We're proud of all the work you do for Oak Ridge!
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION EVENT IN OAK RIDGE
Anderson County Solid Waste Management and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) are sponsoring a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection event on Saturday, September 16, 2017.

The collection is scheduled between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the City of Oak Ridge Central Services Complex located at 100 Woodbury Lane (behind the Hobby Lobby shopping center). This is a State sponsored HHW event and is open to all residents of Tennessee.

Household Hazardous Waste is considered anything that is generated in the household that has a hazardous property. Examples include household disinfectants, drain cleaners, adhesives, pesticides, old gasoline, and pool chemicals. A material is considered hazardous if it is flammable, corrosive, toxic, or reactive with heat or contact with metals.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE

For questions or more information, please contact Anderson County Solid Waste Management at (865) 463-6845.
OAK RIDGE TREE BOARD HOSTS EMERALD ASH BORER WORKSHOP
The City of Oak Ridge Tree Board is hosting a workshop focused on the impact of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in our area. The event, scheduled for the evening of Tuesday, August 29, 2017, will provide important information regarding EAB for property owners, landscapers and others involved in the maintenance of green spaces.

Ash trees make up a significant percentage of our urban forest and have traditionally been a landscaping staple. Many of these trees in Oak Ridge are already dead or beyond treatment, but a significant number can be saved. At the workshop, experts from around the area will address issues such as identification of affected ash trees and responses to EAB infestation, including appropriate treatment.

Attendees will learn about these pests, their origin and spread across the country as well as the techniques used in diverse areas ranging from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to urban areas, such as Knoxville and surrounding municipalities.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. on August 29 at the UT Arboretum Auditorium, located just off South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge. Refreshments will be served prior to the workshop and there is no cost to attend. Scheduled speakers include representatives from the National Park Service, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, the University of Tennessee's Urban Forestry extension, and the U.S. Department of Energy.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE

What:
Workshop - "The Ash Tree Demise: What is the Emerald Ash Borer and What Can We do About it?"
When:
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
6 p.m. - 8 p.m. (Refreshments at 5:30)
Where:
UT Arboretum Auditorium
901 South Illinois Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830

The public, specialists in the field and all interested parties are encouraged to attend the workshop. For more information, please call (865) 272-6512 or visit our online resource page concerning the
 Emerald Ash Borer.
VISIT THE OAK RIDGE FARMERS MARKET IN JACKSON SQUARE
Don't forget to stop by the  Oak Ridge Farmers Market! The market has been open since April 15 in historic Jackson Square. They're open every Saturday and added their Wednesday hours on June 7.

Vendors will be set up between 8 a.m. and noon on Saturdays until later in the year. Wednesday hours are from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The farmers market offers sustainably produced grass-fed meat, hand-picked produce, farm fresh eggs, artisan bread and cheese, local honey, flowers and farm-based crafts. The vendors are 100% local.

The market is put on by the East Tennessee Farmers Association for Retail Marketing (FARM).
MEMORY MAGIC SCRAPBOOKING EVENT RETURNS TO OAK RIDGE IN SEPTEMBER
The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department is sponsoring the 12th Annual Memory Magic scrapbook event at the Oak Ridge Civic Center on Friday, September 22, and Saturday, September 23, 2017.

The event will include vendors and a large crop area, but there is limited seating. Online registration is underway and will continue through Wednesday, September 20. Walk-in registration is also available during business hours at the Civic Center front desk.

The crop area will open at 8 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. each day. Participants will receive a crop space, an event tote, light snacks during the evening hours, and tickets for prize drawings. The cost to crop is $30 for one day or $50 for both days.

Vendors will open for business by 9 a.m. each morning. Vendors include home party businesses, scrapbook stores and general craft stores. The vendor area is open to the general public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Shopping after 6 p.m. is for paid participants only.

Vendor applications are currently being accepted. Booth fees are $100 for a 10' x 10' space and $175 for a 10' x 20' space. Vendors must sell only scrapbook or craft related items.

For more information on the event or participant/vendor registration, visit  www.orrecparks.org , contact the Recreation and Parks Department at (865) 425-3450 or submit an inquiry by email to  apope@oakridgetn.gov .
THIS MONTH AT THE LIBRARY...
GIRLS INC. ART EXHIBIT

You still have a few days left to check out the art exhibit at Oak Ridge Public Library for the month of August. The display this month is a collection of drawings and paintings by young artists from Girls Inc. of Oak Ridge.

This organization first began in 1976 as a girls-only sports program, but quickly grew into an after school, summer camp and sports program for girls between 5 and 18 years old. Girls Inc. serves over 850 girls per year.

Girls in the program are encouraged to be strong, smart and bold. The bold colors of these paintings certainly reflect that inspiration. The 11 works on display are introspective, detailed, lively, and reflect each artist's personality.  Visit the library soon to view the expressive works of these young artists. 


NEXT MONTH AT THE LIBRARY...

City of Oak Ridge | sself@oakridgetn.gov | http://www.oakridgetn.gov
200 South Tulane Ave
Oak Ridge, TN 37830