The City of Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce hosted an event to kick off the holiday shopping season on Tuesday, November 21.

"The lights are shining brighter in our city than they have in 20 years," Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch said. "As we approach the holiday season, it's vital that we remind our citizens and neighboring communities to shop in Oak Ridge, taking advantage of the convenience offered by a variety of new and established businesses."

The "Shop Oak Ridge" event was held in Main Street Oak Ridge, the 58-acre mixed use retail development that replaced the Oak Ridge Mall. 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.

Businesses that have opened locations in Main Street Oak Ridge include: 

• Dick's Sporting Goods
• Electronic Express
• Maurices
• PetSmart
• Rack Room Shoes
• Rue 21
• T.J.Maxx
• Ulta
• More to come...

Anchor stores JCPenney and Belk have remained open throughout the demolition and construction. 

Local shoppers were invited to come see the progress in Main Street Oak Ridge, learn about the next phase of development and get a head start on Black Friday shopping with coupons, gift card giveaways and other prizes from generous businesses all across Oak Ridge. Residents and visitors were also encouraged to check out the unique retail, grocery and restaurant options in the City, including those in historic shopping centers like Jackson Square and Grove Center.

We know not everyone could make it to our Shop Oak Ridge celebration, so we want to give you an extra chance to win one of our fabulous door prizes while you're out and about on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.

Here's how to enter:

1. Between now and 11pm on Sunday, November 26, post a selfie on Facebook or Twitter from your favorite Oak Ridge store or restaurant and tell us why you love it there
2. Use the hashtag #ShopOakRidge
3. Tag the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce AND City of Oak Ridge Government (Find us on Facebook and Twitter: @Oakridgechamber and @cityofoakridge)

City of Oak Ridge offices will be closed on Thursday, November 23, and Friday, November 24, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. 

NOTE: Household refuse and recycling will not be collected on Thanksgiving Day. 

If your regular trash pick-up falls on Thursday, it will be picked up on Friday. If your regular trash pick-up falls on Friday, it will be picked up on Saturday.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

The Oak Ridge Woman's Club and the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will sponsor the annual Christmas tree lighting and reception on Friday, December 1, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Participants should gather at the Secret City Commemorative Walk on the east side of the Oak Ridge Library parking lot for a brief ceremony.

Following the tree lighting, a reception will be held in the Civic Center gymnasium. Participants will enjoy seasonal music and refreshments provided by the Oak Ridge Woman's Club Civic Affairs Committee.

Questions can be directed to the Civic Center front desk at (865) 425-3450. For additional information on events and programs organized by the Recreation and Parks Department, visit www.orrecparks.org.

Oak Ridge Electric Department crews installed the City's Winter Festival lights last week, adding some holiday spirit to the streets around town.

The snowflakes and reindeer are a sure sign that Christmas is on the way!

We hope they brighten your holidays as you travel through Oak Ridge!

The citywide leaf pick-up program is now underway! City collection efforts will follow the proposed schedule as closely as possible.

The proposed schedule is a general guide and can vary considerably from the actual schedule due to weather conditions and the amount of leaves.

PLEASE NOTE: Streets will be swept approximately two weeks after leaves are picked up in each designated area.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL 8-WEEK LEAF COLLECTION SCHEDULE

The following guidelines will help make the leaf pick-up process easier for crews and homeowners:

• Residents should place their leaves near, but not beyond the curb. Leaves must not be placed on the sidewalk or in the street, parking spaces or drainage ditches due to posing a pedestrian or traffic hazard and possibly clogging the storm drains. Hazards that are created by improperly placed leaves will be removed by the City at the resident's expense.

• Leaves must be free of tree branches and twigs as these can cause the leaf vacuums to clog. Because of their impact on production, leaf piles found to contain these items will not be picked up.

• All leaves must be placed outside fenced areas. If there is no other location on your property to rake your leaves, then rake them to the end or side of your driveway. Leaves may be placed in plastic bags and will be picked up at the curb during the scheduled program.

• Only leaves will be collected during this fall's program. Citizens are reminded that the citywide household trash and brush pick-up will be scheduled in April and May.

For more information, please contact Waste Connections of Tennessee at (865) 482-3656.

Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kansas University City Managers and Trainees Alumni Organization (KUCIMAT) on Sunday, October 22, during a banquet at the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas.

The KU Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have, through cumulative career achievements and successes, furthered the purpose of the KUCIMAT organization. As stated in his nomination for the award, penned by his son Kevin Watson, "Mark's passion for local government combined with his strong leadership and commitment to mentoring the next generation of managers made him an ideal candidate."

Speaking about the award, Watson said, "I was deeply surprised and honored that my fellow city managers from across the nation and United Kingdom had recognized me for my work. Members of my family, a number of friends and many of my past interns, who are now practicing city managers, were there honoring me with their attendance."

Watson is a graduate of the University of Kansas where he received his B.A. and Masters in Public Administration in City Management. Watson was selected as City Manager of Oak Ridge in August 2010 after a 30-year career in local government. He is a second generation city manager and has served in that capacity since 1981. Before arriving in Oak Ridge, Watson served as city manager to six cities in Texas, Montana and Arizona.

During his tenure as City Manager of Oak Ridge, Watson helped achieve the establishment of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park and completed a riverfront development project for the City's rowing venue to compete for Olympic, NCAA and other national rowing events.

Additional ongoing projects under Watson's leadership include the revitalization of the center city with the Main Street Oak Ridge development, relocation of the City's International Friendship Bell, replacement of a 70 year old water plant, upgrades to storm-water and waste-water systems, construction of a new Preschool facility, modernization of City business and utility operations through technology and software improvements, and the construction of a new Senior Center.

"It has been my privilege to work with Mark Watson since my election as Mayor in November 2014," Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch stated. "Mark is a person of great integrity, keen intellect and he possesses a tireless work ethic. He has a firm grasp and deep commitment to the City Manager/City Council form of municipal governance, and continually works to fully engage elected officials in the decision making process."

Mark's partner, Jenna, is an art teacher. They have been married since 1979 and have four children: Kevin, Travis, Hilary, and Caitlin. Kevin is a practicing third generation city manager in Minnesota.

The City of Oak Ridge donated a fire engine to the Briceville Volunteer Fire Department earlier this month as they awaited delivery of a new fire truck.

ORFD's new engine was purchased using a stipend from Anderson County as part of a mutual aid program. 

ORFD Chief Darryl Kerley and some of his firefighters walked Briceville VFD Chief Jamie Brewster through important details about the truck before they turned it over to the new owner. 

Also in attendance were Tennessee Rep. John Ragan, Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch, Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson, and Anderson County Commissioners Steve Emert, Tim Isbel, Steve Mead, Theresa Scott, Bob Smallridge, and Shain Vowell. 

The entire group spoke about how all of Anderson County works together in order to bolster public safety and help protect its citizens. Mark Watson then handed the keys and title for the truck over to Chief Brewster so he could drive it to its new home in Briceville. 

Donating this fire engine to our friends and neighbors in Briceville keeps it in service locally and helps a volunteer fire department acquire a valuable new resource for emergency response.

Oak Ridge resident Thomas Row was honored with a mayoral proclamation at this month's City Council meeting in recognition of his distinguished service and contributions to the community. 

Mr. Row has volunteered with more than 40 non-profit and professional organizations throughout his life, including several with significant impact on Oak Ridge and Anderson County. 

He's also been the recipient of numerous awards for his community service. Most recently, he was honored with the Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award from Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC). The award is only given to those with a tireless volunteer spirit.

We'd like to say thank you and congratulations to Mr. Row!

Read the full proclamation here: bit.ly/ThomasRowProclamation (see page 5-6)

The City of Oak Ridge is once again receiving calls from customers who have been targeted by scammers posing as City employees.

Please be aware that the City does not contact its customers and request payment over the phone. Our notices are sent in writing through the mail.

Should someone contact you or someone you know claiming that a utility bill is unpaid, hang up immediately and contact your utility provider directly. In Oak Ridge, call (865) 425-3400. 

Please be aware that we will not disconnect power on Fridays or any day that immediately precedes a holiday (such as Christmas Eve).

For further information, contact the City of Oak Ridge Business Office at (865) 425-3400.

Our 75th anniversary has arrived and the calendar is full of amazing events that will help us celebrate this milestone. Thanks to everyone who has taken part in the events so far!

FLASHBACK: Oak Ridge was born in 1942 and existed for seven years as a truly "Secret City." By August of 1945, around 75,000 people lived within the community borders. Visitors were only allowed in by special approval and guards were posted at all entrances to the city, requiring residents to wear badges whenever they were outside their homes. At the time, Oak Ridge was the fifth largest city in Tennessee, but didn't even appear on the map.

75th Anniversary festivities will continue through the end of 2018.  Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Y-12 National Security Complex will celebrate the anniversaries of their respective beginnings as well.  Additional events will be announced as they are confirmed.

ORHS STUDENT SELECTED TO ATTEND GOVERNOR'S TEACHER CABINET

Oak Ridge High School student Emilie Bordeau was recently selected to meet with Governor Bill Haslam, First Lady Crissy Haslam and Commissioner of Education Candice McQueen as part of Governor Haslam's Teacher Cabinet quarterly meeting at the Tennessee Residence.

She attended the meeting alongside Robertsville Middle School teacher, Cathy Ginel, who has served on the Teacher Cabinet for two years.  

Emilie was selected as a member of the Oak Ridge High School Youth Leadership Development and Community Involvement Program (YLDCIP) where she works in Marti Overton's 1st grade class at Willow Brook Elementary.  

Emilie shared that the YLDCIP program and working directly with elementary school students has piqued her interest in pursuing an education degree upon graduation from Oak Ridge High School. 

While at the Tennessee Residence, Emilie and Mrs. Ginel toured the historic rooms, had lunch in the grand foyer, and participated in discussion with Governor Haslam regarding increasing student enrollment in teacher education programs.   

Read more: bit.ly/ORHSGovernorsTeacherCabinet

AUTOMOTIVE STUDENTS AT OAK RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL SUCCEED IN TOP WRENCH COMPETITION

On Friday, October 27, the Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair classes from Oak Ridge High School competed for the second time in the Top Wrench competition at McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base. The students had their first experience in this competition in April. The Top Wrench Competition is in its 27th year, hosting 17 area schools, including over 600 instructors, students, and other attendees.

FOUR ORHS STUDENTS NAMED NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS

Four students from Oak Ridge High School have been named as National Merit Semifinalists.  Adithyan Sujithkumar, Olivia Milloway, Sarah Roth, and Joseph Andress were selected based on their high scores on a preliminary college exam. Congratulations!

OAK RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS NAMED SIEMENS SEMIFINALISTS

Four Oak Ridge High School students were recognized on Tuesday, October 17, as semifinalists for the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, the nation's premier research competition for high school students.  The Siemens Competition selected only 300 projects from over 1800 submissions this year. 

(From left to right) Joshua Bridges, Hannah O'Neil, Radha Awasthi, Candace Pang

Radha Awasthi and Candace Pang teamed together to develop a project titled "Functional Representation of Neutron Data." The goal of their project was to create an algorithm that automatically classified unidentified neutron scattering data into various classes based on the shape of the scattering pattern and other significant properties. Their algorithm could reduce computing time for scientists needing to predict the structure and properties of unknown materials. 

DODSON RECEIVES AWARD FROM TENNESSEE ARTS ACADEMY

This past summer, more than 350 educators and instructors gathered on the Belmont University campus in Nashville to attend the annual Tennessee Arts Academy (TAA).  

The Academy is a week-long session for arts teachers across the state including visual, music and theater arts. Educators receive training from national experts in their arts field in order to enhance the classroom experience for their students.

OAK RIDGE SCHOOLS ACT SCORES EXCEED STATE GOALS

The leadership of the Oak Ridge School District is pleased to announce that, once again, our students are performing well above the state average on the ACT in all areas. 

In the 2016-2017 school year, the overall average composite was a 22.8. Oak Ridge students particularly excel in English on the ACT exam at which Oak Ridge students score about 20% higher than the state average. 

In addition, over 65% of Oak Ridge students score at or above a 21 on their average composite, as compared to the state average of 42%. 

Nevertheless, school district staff acknowledges a need to continue to improve ACT results. Overall, however, we are very proud of our students' results, and we are looking forward to seeing the class of 2018 graduate this next spring and go on to success in college and careers.

STAFFING CHANGES AT ROBERTSVILLE MIDDLE

Mr. Garfield Adams, Robertsville Middle School Principal, has accepted a position with Hamilton County Department of Education as the Exceptional Education Director. 

Mr. Adams will continue in his role as principal until December 31, 2017. Effective January 1, 2018, Dr. Tonya Childress will serve as the interim Principal of Robertsville Middle School and Mr. David Scott will serve as interim Administrative Assistant.

Dr. Childress holds both Doctor of Education and Educational Specialist degrees from Lincoln Memorial University. She received both her Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in Technology Education.  Dr. Childress has served as the Vice-Principal  of Robertsville since July 2017.

Mr. Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Wesleyan College and a Master of Science in Education Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University. For the past 29 years, Mr. Scott has been a teacher and coach with Oak Ridge Schools.

Registration for the City of Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department's co-ed winter volleyball league is now open.

The cost is $130 if sign-ups are completed by Saturday, December 9, during the early registration period. Late registration is $150 and will be available through Saturday, December 16. Games are scheduled to begin during the second week of January 2018, and will be played on Tuesday evenings.

Interested teams can obtain registration information at the front desk of the Oak Ridge Civic Center or retrieve them online at orrecparks.oakridgetn.gov/volleyball.

Teams may request either a competitive A Division or a recreational B Division in the 2018 season. Division placements will be dependent on registration numbers.

For additional questions, please contact Matt Reece with the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department at (865) 425-3440.

Registration is now open for a lifeguard certification course offered over winter break by the City of Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department.

Classes will be held at the Oak Ridge Civic Center indoor pool facility, located at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Winter 2017 class dates are Wednesday, December 27, through Saturday, December 30. Classes will run from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. each day.

Participants must be at least 15 years old and be able to pass a prerequisite swim test. Students are required to attend all sessions in order to receive their certification. Internet and email access are necessary to complete course content.

Standard registration will be available through December 21. Online registration will be available until December 25 and can be completed at the following link: bit.ly/ORWinter2017LifeguardClass.

The registration fee for the course is $135. There is also a $35 non-refundable American Red Cross fee that will need to be paid online. Space in the class is limited. Registration for the spring 2018 lifeguard certification course will open in January. The spring course will be held March 12-15.

Any questions about lifeguard certifications can be directed to the Recreation and Parks Aquatics Manager at (865) 425-3441.

The second phase of the Turtle Park Sewer Rehabilitation Project began during the first week of October. Hurst Excavating, LLC, is working under contract for the City of Oak Ridge to rehabilitate sewer collection pipes within City easements as well as in yards and roadways.

Work will be performed in the Turtle Park Sewer Shed ( click to see map), located west of Highland Avenue, east of Newport Drive, north of Vanderbilt Drive, and south of West Outer Drive. Residents in the area should have received door hangers on orange paper providing general project details and contact information for Hurst Excavating, LLC.

Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are urged to use extreme care and caution when traveling on streets within the sewer work area. Temporary road repairs will be made and loose gravel should be expected until the patches are permanently paved. 

The estimated completion date for the project is June 2018. All construction work is subject to change and is based on such unknowns as the weather, equipment availability and access issues.

Questions or comments can be directed to the City of Oak Ridge Public Works Department at (865) 425-1875 or via email: PubWorksDis@OakRidgeTN.gov.