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š± How an ORNL scientist is reshaping nuclear safety and kidsā literacy here
Hey there, Oak Ridge! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. āļø
In today's newsletter:
- How an ORNL scientist is reshaping nuclear safety and kidsā literacy here
- How Oak Ridge volunteers are reshaping literacy and online safety support
- College rowing teams converge on Oak Ridge for SIRA Championship soon
Also on today's calendar: Industrial Development Board and 5 more events.
Friendly reminder: know of a great event coming up in Oak Ridge or nearby? Post it to the Oak Ridge calendar! Did you know it's free to post locally? It's also inexpensive to share to nearby towns. š
Today's riddle: How do billboards talk ? š¤ (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Warm; a few afternoon showers, with a high of 84 and low of 61 degrees.
- Friday: Rain and a thunderstorm, temps: high: 80, low: 60.
- Saturday: A brief shower or two, with a high of 80 and low of 57 degrees.
š° News we're reading
1. How one woman is championing literacy while protecting East TN from nuclear disasters (wate.com) ā An Oak Ridge National Laboratory nuclear safety advisor is helping protect East Tennessee while also championing childrenās literacy and philanthropy across the region. Syreeta Vaughn, a pioneering geologist and community volunteer, leads safety modernization at ORNL and has helped raise more than a million dollars for East Tennessee causes, all while finishing her PhD and mentoring future scientists. 
Ā Ā Ā 
2. Lunch-funded grant targets digital literacy and online safety (oakridger.com) ā Oak Ridge civic groups are steering Lunch for Literacy funds toward programs that boost reading skills and digital literacy for local families in Anderson and Roane counties. Volunteers identified students falling behind and broader family literacy gaps, and are backing tutoring plus efforts to teach residents how to judge online information and AI-generated content more critically. Ā Ā Ā
3. K-State rowing opens season traveling coast to coast (kstatecollegian.com) ā Oak Ridge will host the K-State rowing team next week for the SIRA Championship, bringing collegiate competition to town shortly after their early-season races in California and Florida. The Wildcats are sharpening technique and chasing faster times as they prepare to face strong conference opponents on Melton Hill Lake. Ā Ā Ā
4. Why so many control rooms were painted seafoam green (adafruit.com) ā A designerās visit to the Manhattan Project site in Oak Ridge sparks a deep dive into why so many mid-century control rooms used that familiar seafoam green. The story traces how color theorist Faber Birren shaped industrial safety color codes that still influence facilities worldwide today. Ā Ā Ā
šø Around Oak Ridge
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
š
Upcoming Events in
Oak Ridge
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
ā Featured events ā
-
Hops & Hounds: Trivia Night
Hops & Hounds, 317 Belgrade Rd, Oak Ridge
6:30 pm
Friday April 3
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
"Innocent Man" Play
Oak Ridge, TN Calendar , 123 Randolph Rd , Oak Ridge
7:00 pm -
TCWP: Frozen Head Wildflower Pilgrimage Walk
Oak Ridge, TN Calendar
10:00 am -
TCWP: Garlic Mustard Pull & Wildflower Walk
Oak Ridge, TN Calendar Oak Ridge, TN 37830
10:00 am -
The Story of K-25: Ranger Talk at K-25 Overlook
Oak Ridge, TN Calendar , K-25 Overlook Oak Ridge Turnpike , Oak Ridge
11:00 am -
ORRA: Rocky Top Invite
Oak Ridge, TN Calendar , 697 Melton Lake Dr , Oak Ridge -
Industrial Development Board
Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce , 1400 Oak Ridge Turnpike , Oak Ridge
4:00 pm -
Class: Cold Process Soap Making
Oak Ridge, TN Calendar , 2716 Andersonville Hwy , Clinton
6:00 pm
Friday April 3
Saturday April 4
Monday April 6
Wednesday April 8
š£ Oak Ridge Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
š Events Nearby
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CHAMBER HOSTED: 2026 Speaker Series: Knox County Mayoral Candidate Luncheon
Rothchild Event Center , 8807 Kingston Pike , Knoxville
11:30 am -
Baseball Game
Harriman Middle School Harriman, TN 37748
5:00 pm -
OSMS Softball at Midway
Oliver Springs Middle School Oliver Springs, TN 37840
5:00 pm -
OSMS Baseball at Midway (JV after)
Oliver Springs Middle School Oliver Springs, TN 37840
5:30 pm
Thursday April 2
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
š¬ Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Once was not enough, so last night the resident Barred Owl took TWO baths in the pond.
She really really enjoys splashing around in there :) (Nextdoor Highland View) - Last Friday I performed my first stand up routine in ā¦ letās just say a while.
Thank you to Grace Lutheranās coffee house for the opportunity and encouragement. (Nextdoor Country Club Estates)
- Chick-fil-A posted a job opening for Front of House Team Member in Oak Ridge. Apply here.
- Papa John's posted a job opening for Shift Leader in Oak Ridge. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Oak Ridge here.
Ok Oak Ridge! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Sign language! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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