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Mid-Week 2011-08-31
Every Wednesday You'll Find What's Happening in Northern Oklahoma and Southern Kansas.
Every Wednesday You'll Find What's Happening in Southern Kansas and Northern Oklahoma by Reading... The Ponca City News SECTION C MID-WEEK (Postal Customer) PRSRT STD BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE Permit No. 182 Ponca City, OK PAID AUGUST 31, 2011 Season Winding Down For Pools Pool. Wentz Pool is open from 1 to 5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday for all swimmers. AMBUC Pool is open from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturday only for adult/senior lap swim. It is open from 1 to 5 p.m. through Monday for all swimmers. For more information, call the Park and Recreation Department at (580) 767-0430. ---------- MUSIC IN THE PARK will be presented from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday by the Ponca City Park and Recreation Department at the parking lot of the Wally Smith Tennis Center near Hutchins Memorial Auditorium. Bring your blanket and lawn chairs. For more information, call (580) 767-0430. ---------- The September FLY-IN BREAKFAST at the Ponca City Regional Airport will be from 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday. For more information, call (580) 767-0470. ---------- The 50th annual CHEROKEE STRIP GOLF CLASSIC, benefitting the Opportunity Center, will be Sept. 8-10 at the Ponca City Country Club. Golf tournament is "two net low ball" (4 amateurs & 1 pro) using 85 percent handicap. Sign up as an individual or bring an entire team! Other activities include the Marty McArthur Memorial Ladies golf tournament, silent auction, live entertainment, ladies activities and an amateur golf horserace. Social passes are available. For more information, call Chuck at (580) 762-2580. ---------- The PONCAN OPRY, presented by the Poncan Theatre, returns Sept. 10. This special "Four Sides of the Poncan Opry All Star Band" show features a mix of rock, bluegrass, gospel, country old and new, as well as blues. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $16 for adults and $8.50 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available by calling the box office at (580) 765-0943 or online at www.poncantheatre.com. ---------- The 94th annual KAY COUNTY FREE FAIR is Sept. 13-17 at the Kay County Fairgrounds in Blackwell. There will be livestock exhibits, arts, crafts, quilts, a petting zoo, food booths and a carnival. For more information, call (580) 363-4195. ---------- "THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB" will be presented by Ponca Playhouse Sept. 16-18. A new comedy by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, this story is about five Southern women whose friendship began many years ago on their college swim team. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., show begins at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Sunday matinee begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office and are $15 for adults, $10 for students 18 and under. For more information, call (580) 765-5360. ---------- The 25TH ANNUAL CHEROKEE STRIP BBQ COOK OFF is Sept. 17 at Lake Ponca. All proceeds benefit Hospice of North Central Oklahoma. Tasting begins at 12:30 p.m. Tasting kits are $6 in advance, $7 day of event. Purchase tickets at local banks, the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce and the Conoco Museum. For more information, call (580) 767-2143 or visit www.cherokeestripcookoff.com. ---------- The 37th ANNUAL FINE ARTS FESTIVAL, sponsored by The Ponca City Art Association at the Ponca City Arts Center, 819 East Central, is Sept. 17-18. For more information, call (580) 765-9746. is winding down TIMEswimming Wentz for at AMBUC Pool and Ponca Playhouse Presentation Of `The Guys' In Memory of 9/11 Following months of planning, casting, and rehearsals the Ponca Playhouse proudly announces its performances of "The Guys" Sept. 9-11, directed by Ruslyn Hermanson. The worldwide hit play written by Anne Nelson, an Oklahoma native, pays tribute to the heroic fallen first responders who gave their all to rescue the citizens of the world trapped in the twin towers on 09/11/2001. On the 10th anniversary of this day of tragedy and sacrifice, the performance of "The Guys" will help raise funds for participating rural firefighters and Ponca Playhouse Inc. The cast of two features Kevin Roe and Melanie Childers. Childers, a fourth-grade school teacher at St. Mary School in Ponca City, plays the part of Joan in this portrayal of the reallife events following the attack on 9/11. Joan is asked to help write the eulogies for the fallen heroes assigned to Captain Nick's firefighting unit. Nick is played by Kevin Roe, who is Division Chief of Fire Training for the Ponca City Fire Department and brings his own life's experiences to this heartwarming tribute. "Although John Q. Public is aware of the deaths of firefighters, police officers and harbor guard members that day, it will be interesting to see how the author explains Brotherhood, Sacrifice, and the acts of bravery displayed by those who climbed up those towers when everyone else was trying so hard to get out of them. Those brave men and women knew they were probably never coming back down, but they went anyway," Roe said. "The Guys" will be performed around the country at approximately 61 different locations. The Ponca Playhouse is at 301 South First Street. Each performance of "The Guys" runs approximately 90 minutes without intermission. Sponsors for this production are Brad and Lea Ann Bechtel, Jack Bowker Ford Lincoln, Eastman National Bank, Evans and Associates, Brian and Ruslyn Hermanson, ONG, Carl and Carolyn Renfro, and Stolhand Heating and Air Conditioning. A display of firefighter gear will be in the lobby and area firefighters will serve as ushers and greeters. A reception will follow the performances hosted by AmeriCorps members. Show times are at 8 p.m. Sept. 9 and 10 and at 2 p.m. on Sept. 11. Tickets are $15 and reservations can be made by calling (580) 765-5360. This is not a part of the Ponca Playhouse regular season. Red Dirt Rangers To Perform for Fundraiser "An Evening with the Red Dirt Rangers" is the theme of this year's annual fundraiser for Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council, a local non-profit arts organization. The fundraiser will be Sept. 16. Tickets are $30 each and include dinner and a show by the Red Dirt Rangers. Ticket holders will receive an Italian buffet dinner, which includes one domestic beer or one house wine at Zino's Italian Ristorante from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by a 7:30 p.m. show at the Poncan Theatre with seating in a specially reserved section. Tickets are available by calling Leslie at 765-3966 or contacting any Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council board member. The show will be in honor of the Cherokee Strip Land Run Day and will showcase the talents of these gifted Oklahoma musicians. "An Evening with the Red Dirt Rangers" will be a unique opportunity for patrons to see both a play and a concert by the band members. The show will start with a one-act play about an imaginary meeting between Woody Guthrie and Bob Wills, both Oklahoma music legends. Two members of the Red Dirt Rangers will portray Guthrie and Wills in the play titled "Time Changes Everything," which is about two musical giants on their way up and again after their respective careers have peaked. After a brief intermission, the full band of the Red Dirt Rangers will play a concert which highlights music by both Woody Guthrie and Bob Wills, as well as original compositions by the band. (See "Red Dirt" Page 2C) The Red Dirt Rangers There Are Some Days Leaders Point Out Ponca City's The Job Is Tougher Best Features During Forum By BEVERLY BRYANT Midweek Editor While City Manager Craig Stephenson enjoys his job most days, there are a few times when he'd just as soon be doing something else. For example: The eighth day of any month starting with "A." On April 8 this year, Ponca City was hit with a very significant storm that heavily damaged the industrial area of the city and took out power poles on Waverly Street. The Ponca City Regional Airport, electrical system and environmental services had heavy damages, as did homeowners City Manager Craig Stephenson in the affected area. And on Aug. 8, the unimaginable happened when two feeder lines from OG&E went down at the same time during a storm south of Ponca City. All of Ponca City lost power after one of the feeder lines fell on city transmission lines. And that, in turn, started a domino effect of other problems. The pumps in the well field which provides Ponca City's primary water source were unable to operate without electricity and there was a period of time when no water was available. Without electricity, gasoline pumps do not operate, and the emergency generator at the Public Safety Center ran out of gasoline and the dispatch system crashed. Stephenson addressed the problems during Friday's Ponca Politics forum put on by the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce's Governmental Affairs Committee "What did we learn?" Stephenson asked. "We learned we can use mobile generators to prevent unpermitted discharges at our wastewater lift stations. (See MANAGER, Page 2C) By BEVERLY BRYANT munities. Midweek Editor The mayor said Ponca City Mayor Homer Nicholson offers many ways for citizens and City Manager Craig Steto be involved in their local phenson were the speakers in government, with 14 different Friday's Ponca Politics forum, citizen advisory boards, comsponsored by the Governmenmissions and authorities which tal Affairs Committee of the work with the input of about Ponca City Area Chamber of 100 citizen volunteers. Commerce. The list of advisory boards is And while neither city leader available at www.poncacityok. likes to use the word "brag," gov. Members of the boards are they both had the opportunity, appointed by the mayor and for an hour and a half, to showconfirmed by the City Commiscase the great things happening sion. in Ponca City and the features City Manager Stephenson that make the city a good place spoke about the strong fisto live. cal position of Ponca City and The forum will be rebroadexplained how city departcast three times daily through ments work together to protect next Sunday, at 10 a.m., 6:30 the city's financial picture. and 9:30 p.m., forum moderator He said there are 389 full Lowell Lefebvre said. time employees, a decrease of Mayor Homer Nicholson Nicholson said that as mayor, five positions from last fiscal he spends a lot of time in Oklayear. homa City at the state Capitol representing "The fiscal 2011-12 budget was challengPonca City's interest to the Legislature. ing," Stephenson said. The $93 million budget "There are tedious days and demanding showed an increase of 5.79 percent from the schedules," he said. previous year due largely to budgeting some He is a member of the Mayors Council of accumulated fund balance in the Street Tax Oklahoma; Oklahoma Congress of Mayors; Fund for capital improvements Oklahoma Municipal League's Board of DirecStephenson said this year's budget is only tors, Legislative Committee and Certified 35 percent higher than it was 18 years ago in Mayors Program; Oklahoma Municipal Power fiscal year 1993-94, amounting to an average Authority Board of Directors; Oklahoma annual increase of approximately 1.6 percent. Municipal Utility Providers Steering ComStephenson and Nicholson both said that tax mittee; Oklahoma Homeland Defense Board exemptions reduce the services the city can and the Governor's Council on Workforce Eco- provide. nomic Development. "For every dollar spent in Ponca City, you Nicholson also hosts the Kay County May- pay an additional 8.667 cents," Stephenson ors Round Table at City Hall, in an ongoing said. effort to increase dialogue regarding pertinent Of that sales tax, the state gets 4.5 cents; the issues facing North Central Oklahoma com(See FORUM, Page 2C) PAGE 2-C�THE PONCA CITY NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 Class of '81 Prepares For Weekend Reunion The Ponca City High School Class of 1981 will gather for its 30th reunion over Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-4, with a variety of events planned. Classmates are encouraged to sign up and join in the weekend of festivities. Friday night the class will gather at Ody's on Lake Road. Other classes from the `80s have been extended an open invitation to join the group. This informal social mixer at the outdoor pavilion will allow everyone to get reacquainted and enjoy the popular music of the late `70s and early `80s. Light snacks will be provided. Class members are encouraged to register at Ody's and confirm contact information. Saturday's events begin with a tour of the high school. Classmates will have the opportunity to see the changes in the layout and design of Po-Hi. A golf scramble has been scheduled for Saturday morning at Lew Wentz Golf Course. Classmates and spouses are welcome. Saturday night classmates will enjoy Denim to Diamonds at the Moose Lodge. A social hour with heavy hors d'oeuvres will begin at 6 p.m. The local band "Prezence" will play `70s and early `80s hits beginning at 8:30 p.m. In order to accommodate the state school football fans, high-definition TVs will be set up for viewing both the OSU game at 6 p.m. and the OU game at 7 p.m. Class members will also have the opportunity to take home Ponca City memorabilia from a silent auction. Donated items include Ponca City and Conoco prints, a 1981 Po-Hi yearbook, two books on historical Ponca City homes and more. The final event, a 5k run (or walk) will be held at 8 a.m. Sunday morning at Lake Ponca. Stillwater's Old School Bagel Company will provide water along the route and bagels and cream cheese at the finish. For more information, to make reservations for the reunion, or to assist in locating missing classmates, contact Carla Giddens O'Neill, (580) 767-2143, Melanie Combrink Harris, (817) 999-7961, or Polly Braden Wilson, (580) 7658523. All reunion information has been posted at the class website and on the class Facebook page at Ponca City Class of 1981. Red Dirt . . . (Continued From Page 1C) Some people define Red Dirt music as "country music with an attitude," while others say it's a state of mind as much as it is a sound -- a sound that successfully closes the gap between rock and country. It has been described as a mix of folk, rock, country, bluegrass, blues, Western swing and honky-tonk, with a few Mexican influences. "Time Changes Everything" has been performed at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center and the OK Mozart Festival in Bartlesville to rave reviews. The Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council, a 501 (c) (3) organization, was incorporated in 1986 and was originally formed to coordinate the Affiliated Artist Programs for Conoco. Today, local businesses such as ConocoPhillips, Martin, Jean and Jackson Attorneys-atLaw, RCB Bank, Kaw Tribe, and the Osage Casino support the projects that are managed by the Council, with the understanding that the Council provide free arts and humanities programming to the community whenever possible. Additional financial resources generated by the Council include dues from the annual membership drive and grants from Oklahoma Arts Council. Dutch Oven Groups To Cook At Newkirk's Charlie Adams Day NEWKIRK -- There's still time to tune up the taste buds for Charlie Adams Day on Sept. 10. The Heartland of the Prairies Dutch Oven Society and their compadres will be out in full force this year cooking up desserts and doing cooking demonstrations at 9, 10 and 11 a.m. There will be 21 teams this year, with each team preparing four desserts. A taste test of these scrumptious desserts will top off the meal prepared by the barbecue teams. Dutch Oven teams are coming not only from around Kay County but also from Wichita, Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Teams will include Little Town Cookers, Everett and Loretta Donham; Bear Heart Cookers, Terry and Rhonda Cobb; Busy Bee Cookers, John and Lyla Bybee; Grace Mountain Outfitters, Curtis and Gaye Anne Grace; Mystery Man Cooker, Mark Jacobs; Milcreek Cookers, Jim and Dawn Mills; Sassy Skillets, John and Amber Wyssman; Dog House Cookers, Dewey and Janette Whitaker; Fire and Ice Cookers, Roy and Jo Neal; What's Cookin, Buster and Cheryl Johnson; Okie Hot Pots, Jerald and Sue Wyssman; Some Call Them Magic Cookies, Lorri Lynn; Trail's End Cookers, Jerry and Karen Pace; Mike and Christine Hirsch, Randy and Joy Neal, Denise Adams and Kirsti Hawkins, Bill Shipley, Brenda Ormsby, Ginger Fenwick, Rozell Powell and Steve Guthrie. Charlie Adams Day begins at 9:30 a.m. on the Kay County Courthouse Lawn in Newkirk with plenty of entertainment and activities for all age groups. For a schedule and more information, visit www.charlieadamsday.com. The event is supported by the Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. DUTCH OVEN cookers at the 2010 Charlie Adams Day. Photo Exhibit To Close BARTLESVILLE -- Price Tower Arts Center announces little time remains for those who have not yet visited the exhibition, "Once Upon An Island: Twin Towers Rising." The photography show chronicles the construction of the World Trade Center on Manhattan Island during the late 1960s. The exhibition will close at 5 p.m. Sept. 11. Contact Midweek Submit your story and photo ideas to Midweek Editor Beverly Bryant at firstname.lastname@example.com or call (580) 765-3311, Ext. 137. Deadline for submissions is one week prior to publication. Forum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Continued From Page 1C) Kay County jail 0.667 of a city, and Ponca City gets 3.5 cents, Stephenson said. "Of the city's portion, 2 cents goes for general operations; a half cent is for street improvements; a half cent is for economic development and a half cent is for the debt service on the Ponca City Aquatic and Family Center -- YMCA," he said. Over the years, the city has managed increased costs of supplying utility services by small, annual increases in utility rates, averaging 3.5 percent a year. Ponca City also stretched its taxpayer dollars by receiving $2.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, the so-called stimulus funds, Stephenson said. That money helped staff one Police Department position and purchase equipment; improved water system infrastructure, improved the wastewater collection system and also provided funds to demolish 54 blighted structures and purchase and rehab six abandoned/foreclosed homes. Those homes were then transferred to the Ponca City Housing Authority. Stephenson also gave an overview of each city department, saying how many employees work in each department and the services they provide. He also talked about Ponca City's unique resources, with 28 parks and walking trails, the Motocross track, Dan Moran Park's baseball fields, skate park and BMX track, the Marland Mansion and Marland's Grand Home, L.A. Cann Gardens, the Lake Ponca Recreation Area including Wentz Golf Course, Camp and Pool, the Ponca City Library's Matzene Art Collection and Computer Lab, the Ponca City Senior Center, Ponca City's free Wi-Fi System and the Ponca City Regional Airport. Ponca City's crown jewel, he said, is the Ponca City Aquatic and Family Center -- YMCA, which has a membership of 11,000 people in a city with a population of about 25,000 people. Stephenson also talked about the recent additions for recreation in Ponca City, including the War Memorial Park splash pad; the new handicapped-accessible AMBUCS park and the swim beach at Lake Ponca. He said the Comprehensive Plan adopted by the city in 2009 provides the framework for guiding future development, redevelopment and community enhancement for the next 20 years and beyond. "Looking forward, we must hold elected and appointed officials and judges accountable for sound government established in justice and righteousness as we are bombarded with detrimental laws, unfunded mandates, skyrocketing medical expenditures and a broken workers compensation system," Stephenson said. He said Ponca City is actively participating in the development of a statewide water plan. "We want to protect our water source for our future growth here," he said. Both Stephenson and Nicholson said the city is losing revenue through mounting sales tax exemptions. "This erodes our revenue," Stephenson said city funding. "Cities do not get ad valorem tax money," the mayor said. "Cities operate only on sales tax, which is why we urge you to shop Ponca City first, so we can provide those services for our citizens. It is very important for our citizens for us to have that sales tax revenue. Those exemptions account for $5.8 million. That could fix our shortfalls." Stephenson also said Ponca City is working with the Oklahoma Tax Commission to insure that appropriate sales tax funds are collected and paid. "You as a customer pay that on good faith to make sure it goes where it is supposed to go. That's stealing if they don't pass it on," he said. "This community is what it is because of you, the residents, the commissioners you send to work for you and the city staff we have here. These are quality stand-up people working for you," Stephenson said. Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . (Continued From Page 1C) "We can `black start' the Kaw Hydroelectric Plant and generate enough power to keep the Water Treatment Plant and Wastewater Treatment Plant operating," he said. "We can treat up to 6 million gallons of raw lake water per day to produce potable water." He also explained how the emergency communications system worked. "We learned we can re-route calls through the City of Stillwater and back to keep responding to emergency needs," he said. "We rerouted the calls to Stillwater's dispatchers and they called us back on cell phones so we could dispatch emergency crews from the Mobile Command Center." Stephenson said city staff has looked at having a backup generator at the water treatment plant for the past five or six years. "It has a direct feed now," he said. "A generator would cost $1.82 million. You have to make a choice and this is the first time I'm aware of that we have had this big an issue." Ponca City is a member of the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority, and the power supply from OMPA comes from wind, hydro, natural gas, coal and other fuel systems, Stephenson said. "If we have Kaw Hydro running and Units 3 and 4 running here at the OMPA-leased plant on Union Street, we can operate our community," Stephenson said. "All three of those are controlled by OMPA." As it turned out, Unit 4 was down for maintenance and Unit 3 had just been taken down because of vibration right before the Aug. 8 incident, he said. And because of drought conditions, Kaw Dam had not been releasing water to generate hydro power. "The timing was impeccable," Stephenson said. "And the community had a hard time understanding, because this storm didn't happen in town." Mayor, City Manager Answer Questions at End of Forum Members of the audience asked Mayor Homer Nicholson and City Manager Craig Stephenson some questions after their presentations as part of the Ponca Politics forum last Friday, sponsored by the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce's Governmental Affairs Committee. The questions and their answers included: �What about the water situation regarding Kaw Lake and the Stillwater pipeline? CS: Stillwater draws a significant quantity of water for its community. Repairs are needed on their pipeline. We have talked about a joint project for a pipeline but the Kaw Reservoir Authority has control of a valve that we own 50/50 with Stillwater. We continue to be in discussions. How much electrical power is generated in our plant? HN: I don't remember the number. About 7 to 8 percent is generated locally, I believe. �What about a conference center for Ponca City? HN: We could certainly use one and would love to have one. We have been so fortunate with our citizens in recent years. The citizens voted a half-cent sales tax for the Ponca City Aquatic and Family Center -- YMCA. That money is the same money we need to build an events center. We are hesitant to go back to the citizens to ask for a sales tax to build a conference center. We tried real hard to keep our sales tax as low as we can because business and industry look at the sales tax rate. From another perspective, we have wonderful corporate citizens who have donated millions to the YMCA, University Center, the Child Development Center and other big projects in the last couple of years. They have been very generous. (A conference center) is needed but takes money. We don't feel the timing is right, but if the citizens tell us it's time, we will fly the flag and go for it. �Regarding membership categories at the Ponca City Aquatic and Family Center -- YMCA, will you create a human rights board or ordinance in the next six months? If not, why? CS: Human rights boards are very labor intensive and bureaucratic and are not very efficient in a city our size. In these cases, we yield to the state and federal government. �What are the waste water plans for McCord area? CS: The City Commission of Ponca City has taken a position not to extend sanitary sewer service outside city limits, so we do not have plans for the McCord area. However, the Osage Nation has a contract to connect to Ponca City's sanitary sewer system and may have such a plan at some point. �What can be done to make residential and non-downtown sidewalks more accessible? HN: Residential sidewalks are the responsibility of the property owner. That is your property and is not covered by the city. CS: We know there are challenges with many sidewalks in residential areas. We could sit down as a staff to find out if there are ways to apply for fund and perhaps balance that out. �As city manager and mayor, what areas of our community do you feel are most positive and efficient and which are most negative and detrimental? HN: I repeat what I hear to you from state meetings. One to five people tell me at every meeting what a wonderful city Ponca City is. Those in municipal government are envious of Ponca City and I am very proud to share that with you. Along with that, we were the first city to have automatic meter reading for both electric and water. We are the only city in the state and maybe the nation to have free Wi-Fi for the whole community. We have set the bar in Ponca City. And thanks to you who have helped us to do this, we are considered a leading community. Ponca City is its own worse advocate. We need to know what we've got and be appreciative and fly the flag. We are a very progressive community. Some of the challenges -- code enforcement is a huge challenge. Our guys work day and night with code enforcement. Last year it was weeds and grass. Now it's also sofas, refrigerators and ranges on front porches and derelict vehicles in the yards. Code enforcement violated a car in the east side of town. The next week it was on the west side of town. Every city in the state and nation deals with code violations. Nobody has a perfect solution to it but we are working as hard as we can. On Friday, Development Services Director Chris Henderson takes volunteer employees from other departments and does a sweep of a quadrant of town to try to stay on top of code issues. I don't know how you educate people to take pride. CS: What's unfavorable? Unfavorable federal and state legislation, sales tax exemptions and DEQ/EPA unfunded mandates keep getting more and more expensive. Chemicals for water have quadrupled in two years. We have to pass that on. HN: I have been in every legislator's office as a representative of OML to make them understand what is beneficial to municipalities. We are inundated. �Would there be support for a second annual city cleanup date? CS: At this point in time, no. There is a big use of resources to do that and it would take away from the various departments' missions. However, if the policy setters determine it is necessary, we will do it. �Share with us the types of opportunities there are for citizens to participate in city government through boards and meetings they can attend. CS: Citizens can attend any meeting of the city commission -- work sessions and regular meetings. City staff will meet with anyone. Citizen participation is encouraged on the boards that are listed on the Ponca City website, www. poncacityok.gov, under board and commissions. There are also applications for appointments to the boards and tons of opportunity to participate. We have an open door policy. Those boards are some of the successes we enjoy in our community. There are a lot of bright people on those boards. Schedules of their meetings are on the web site and they are public meetings that are open. �The City Commission passed a new ordinance requiring if a structure is being added to a yard exceeding 200 feet, the property owner has to put a sign out in the yard. What does that do if we don't want that party to build a structure, but it's not illegal? HN: Those have to do with covenants. The sign is a notice to the public that this citizen is planning to build a building. Citizens can then protest or do what they want to try to stop construction. We as a city cannot do anything as long as they meet codes. It's in the neighborhood covenants by the developers. Neighbors would have to come together to say they oppose the structure. We have no laws to stop construction. �Can waste management at the recycling center start accepting plastics? CS: We are looking at options, but recycling choices are driven by the market. We were taking recyclables to Tulsa and had to pay them to take it. It's really market driven. We will spend some time this year looking at our practices. �You all did a great job on the power outage. I know how much work went into it. Is there a plan to have an emergency generator at the water treatment plant? CS: The last five or six years, we have looked at a backup generator at the water treatment plant. It has a direct feed now. A generator would cost $1.82 million dollars. You have to make a choice. This is the first time I'm aware of we had this big an issue. The community had a hard time understanding because this didn't happen in town. �I heard there was a problem with the generator at the Public Safety Center. CS: We have a backup generator at the police station. We did have a gas supply issue. Our dispatch system did crash and we rerouted our calls to Stillwater. Their dispatchers then called us back on cell phones and we were able to dispatch personnel from our Mobile Command Center. Chapman Shoe Emporium 2601 N. 14th Ponca City, OK OPEN DAILY EXTRA 25 OFF % ALREADY HALF-PRICE WOMEN'S SHOES ON OUR SALE RACKS! LABOR DAY COUPON Paula Matson Paula invites all her friends & family to stop by to see her at... 3501 N. 14th Ponca City (580)765-2511 www.davismoore.com Davis-Moore welcomes salesperson FIVE DAYS ONLY! � Sept. 1-6, 2011 YOU MUST BRING THIS COUPON! THE PONCA CITY NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011�PAGE 3-C How Can I Help? The CASA program (Court Appointed Special Advocates) always needs additional volunteers -- both to become advocates and to support the advocates. Currently, the program needs people who would be able to travel out of town at most once a month, to other counties in Oklahoma, to visit children. The program also needs more men to advocate for children. CASA uses non-advocate volunteers on an as-needed basis, depending on their talents and time. If someone wants to volunteer for CASA, the staff will try their very best to use their talents. "We have some needs that the people may not expect, like helping us keep a scrapbook, delivering small `thank you' gifts to our advocates, creating and distributing promotional information, updating our website, answering phones when staff is out in the field or at training and more," said Sharon Clark, Program Director for CASA of Kay and Noble Counties.. The next training for CASA volunteers starts the last Thursday of September, but orientation for other helpers is done on an as needed basis. For more information, call (580) 762-8341. ---------- Santa's Cause is a 501(c)(3) (pending) non-profit, all-volunteer organization providing anonymous last-minute response to children's letters to Santa that would otherwise go unanswered. The organization receives most of its requests after other organizations offering help at Christmas have completed their season. Volunteer Santas surprise recipients with wrapped gifts to be opened on Christmas morning. The organization's goal each year is to deliver gifts to each and every child who writes a letter requesting help to one of our pre-approved third-party referring individuals -- counselors, teachers, etc. With the support of donors and volunteers, Santa's Cause strives to give a gift to every child referred. Volunteers shop, wrap and deliver gifts yearly Dec. 15-22 (or until we finish) from 5 to 9 p.m. Hours on Dec. 23-24 will be determined by how many deliveries we have left to do! Right now the organization is raising funds for this year's mission. For more information, call (580) 304-1191 or email santascausetoo@gmail. com. ---------- The Opportunity Center needs volunteers to work at two thrift stores which benefit the center's clients. The stores are The Caboose in Ponca City and the Good Buy Shoppe in Blackwell. Volunteers would help sort and prepare items for resale. Consigners are also wanted for the Village Country Store at the Opportunity Center. Contact manager Kristy Russell at (580) 765-1972. Volunteers also are needed to help with the Cherokee Strip Golf Classic which benefits the center. People are needed on the course to provide refreshments and to verify any holes-in-one made during the tournament. To volunteer for the golf classic, call Julie at (580) 765-6782. ---------- Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers to work at the ReStore at 117 West Central. Times are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (closes earlier if the heat is too high). Volunteers who would like to work on building Habitat for Humanity homes or who want to learn to work on homes can inquire at the store or call (580) 7652974. ---------- The Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council needs people who love the arts to serve on the Council's Board of Directors. They will be required to attend monthly board meetings during the lunch hour, help greet patrons who attend events and help with a yearly fundraiser. Call Leslie at (580) 765-3966 for more information. ---------- McCord Senior Citizen Center needs volunteers to help in the dining room. The center is open five days a week and serves home-cooked meals, prepared daily. Volunteers are needed to set up trays, pour drinks, carry trays for those needing help, pick up trays and set them in the dish washing room window, scrape dishes, wipe off tables, tidy up the rest rooms at the end of the serving time and sweep the floors. The center serves from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily. Reservations are not needed. Every Tuesday people can play cards and also enjoy the music of Jack Kelsey and the Country Notes. Thursdays people gather to play Bingo. Covered dish evening meals are scheduled every few months and an annual ice cream social is held every August as a treat to those who support the center with their attendance. The McCord Senior Citizens Center is at 115 Mary Road. It offers a hot, home cooked, balanced noon meal for a suggested donation of $3.50 for people over 55, $5 for people under 55 and $2.50 for children under 12. The center also provides a homebound service to anyone within a five-mile radius of the McCord Senior Citizen Center. Call the center at (580) 762-9350 if you are interested in this service. Those interested in volunteering may call Betty at (580) 762-7797 for more information. ---------- The City of Ponca City is taking applications for its Special Services-Interim Assistance project. The purpose of this project is to provide financial assistance to low to moderate income qualified residents to stop the physical deterioration of residential properties. Special services funding is available for the replacement of deteriorating roofs, replacement of sewers, replacement of water lines, removal of architectural barriers and any other emergency type situation. All applications will be considered on a first-come firstserve basis until the funds for this project are depleted. The homes for which applications will be accepted must be owner-occupied and located within the Ponca City city limits. Homeowners must be income qualified to be considered. Applications are available in the City of Ponca City Development Services Department in City Hall, 516 East Grand Avenue. ---------- The Ponca Playhouse needs volunteers to help find props for their next show, The Dixie Swim Club. Volunteers will have the opportunity to work with director JoAnn Muchmore. Position begins immediately; however, volunteers can contact the Playhouse to sign up for later shows, too. Also, the Playhouse can use volunteers for office work, ushering and concessions. Training is provided. Contact the Playhouse at (580) 765-5360 or e-mail email@example.com. ---------- Raindrops Pregnancy Loss and Child Death Support is in need of a 16-foot awning for its downtown office at 102 North Second Street. The office is also in need of a volunteer electrician to install a ceiling fan and explore possibilities for 220 wiring for an air conditioner. Other needs include stamps for mailing bereavement booklets to families. For more information, call Donna at (580) 362-3961 or (580) 362-5144. ---------- The Pioneer Woman Museum can use adult volunteers as docents and in the gift shop and reception area. Helpers are especially needed at the front desk on Saturdays, and on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after 2 p.m. The museum can always use event volunteers, too. The museum is at Monument Road and Lake Road and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (580) 7656108. ---------- The Kaw Lake Association needs a variety of volunteers who can help with office Adoptable Pets CLYDE IS a Great Pyrenees puppy about 4 months old. He is available for adoption at the Ponca City Humane Society. For more information about Clyde, call the shelter at (580) 767-8877 or visit at 900 West Prospect Avenue. CASA VOLUNTEERS Anna Hall, left, and Lisa Morin, right, are shown after taking their CASA Volunteer oath before Judge Lee Stout of the 8th Judicial District. Citizens interested in speaking up for abused and neglected children are encouraged to call CASA at (580) 762-8341. Training for new CASA Volunteers begins Sept. 29. CASA Volunteers Give Voice To Abused, Neglected Children Are you being called to serve a child? Ponca City residents Anna Hall and Lisa Morin recently answered this call by becoming CourtAppointed Special Advocate volunteers through the CASA of Kay and Noble Counties program. CASA of Kay and Noble Counties provides the training and support for area community volunteers to give a voice to abused and neglected children. All the children served by CASA volunteers have been removed from abusive homes and are living in foster care. By empowering and enabling CASA volunteers, the program serves children at a most critical point in their lives. As CASA volunteers, Hall and Morin function as the eyes and ears of the court, making recommendations in children's best interests so they may end up in a safe, permanent homes. "The idea of changing a child's life for the better, forever ... is an awesome feeling," Morin said. CASA volunteers are appointed as an officer of the court by the judge to objectively advocate for the best interests of abused children by gathering comprehensive information and to participate in the child's court process. The information gathered by CASA volunteers is used by the judge to make better informed decisions about the future of the children. An important part of Hall and Morin's role as CASA Volunteers is to regularly meet with the children and to learn as much as they can about the children and their family. "I am curious to learn more about these children and their personalities, as well as the family dynamic, so that the children can be placed in a safe home," Hall said after consulting with CASA staff on her first case. The role of a CASA volunteer is different from being the child's mentor. While both a mentor and a CASA develop a personal relationship with a child, as an advocate, the CASA volunteer serves as their voice in the court process. "It is a unique volunteer opportunity that combines both a personal connection with children and advocacy for larger issues of social justice," said Sharon Clark, Program Director for CASA of Kay and Noble Counties. CASA volunteers find that growing to know their assigned children becomes the favorite part of their service. When Hall first met one of the children on her case, she said "He is just a delightful child who is very bright and well-behaved." This special connection is one of the primary reasons that called Morin back to serve children as a CASA volunteer after being away for a number of years. "The children have a way of making you feel like you are someone special to them, and they will forever remember you and how you helped change their lives," Morin said. The time a CASA volunteer will spend gathering information and monitoring the court proceeding varies, but Hall and Morin expect to spend eight to 15 hours per month gathering information from the children, family members and service providers for their report to the court. "I can help a child by just spending a few hours a week," Morin said. Most CASA volunteers are able to do this service while working full-time. Some volunteers, like Hall, use CASA as a worthwhile way to spend their retirement. "I had thought about being a CASA volunteer for several years after hearing about it at the AAUW Women's Banquet, and I finally found time to do it after retiring," Hall said. To become CASA volunteers, Hall and Morin completed an application process which included a criminal background check and an eight-week series of training classes before being sworn in as officers of the court by Judge Lee Stout. Training for new CASA volunteers begins Sept. 29. Those interested in volunteering may call Sharon or Jeremy at (580) 762-8341 for information about CASA or to reserve a seat for training. Additional information is available at www.kaynoblecasa.org. CAMMIE IS a young female short-hair tortoise shell cat available for adoption at the Ponca City Humane Society. She is spayed and up-to-date with shots. Her primary colors are black and orange. For information on adopting Cammie or other animals at the shelter, call (580) 767-8877. Volunteers are also needwork, magazine delivery to area towns, trade shows and ed as Sexual Assault Victim updating the association's Advocates. These advocates train with professionals to web site. To fill any of these needs, learn how to assist victims of contact Kathy Tippin at kaw- sexual violence during their email@example.com or call forensic medical examination. This is a low time com(580) 762-9494. mitment, highly rewarding ---------- RSVP (Retired Senior Vol- opportunity to assist victims unteers Program) is seeking of crime. ---------- volunteers age 55 and older Hospice of North Central for a variety of needs. All volunteers are subject to a Oklahoma needs volunteers to wash bud vases for patients background check. Volunteers are needed to and is always in need of bud visit residents in nursing vases. Other opportunities are homes and assisted living centers. RSVP also has a pro- available at Hospice of North gram which includes training Central Oklahoma for volunteers 18 years old and older. for tutors. RSVP needs volunteers on Call (580) 762-9102 for more the second Monday of each information. A background month from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to check is required. ---------- watch children during the Hope Ranch, a therapeutic Grandparents Raising Grandhorseback riding program for children Group. The program also provides children and youth, needs volunteers for The Caboose additional volunteer welders and My Favorite Things to to finish welding the fence sort donations and delivers and gates at the ranch. Hay also is needed in small Main Street flyers. For inforsquare and large round bales. mation, call (580) 762-9412. For more information, call ---------- The Domestic Violence Pro- (580) 716-3250 or visit www. gram of North Central Oklaho- hoperanchinc.org. ---------- ma needs volunteers to serve New Emergency Resource as Children's Advocates. These advocates join the staff Agency, 500 North First and other volunteers to assist Street, is always in need of in running a children's group volunteers. Much of the work involves manual labor, movfrom 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays. Volunteers may choose to ing boxes of food and furcome weekly, every other niture. There are work day week, or once a month to help opportunities several times make a difference in the life a month, including food disof a child who has experi- tribution days. Call (580) 7655372 for information. enced family violence. Lowest Prices in town! Your Barbecue Headquarters For Labor Day Weekend USDA Choice Angus Beef State Inspected Beef Quarters and Sides Available � Beef Front Quarters - $279 per lb. � Beef Hind Quarters - $297 per lb. � 1/2 Beef $284 per lb. Whole or 1/2 Hogs Available � 1/2 Hog - $169 � Fresh Lamb Available (580) 762-8026 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Effective July 1, 2008 (Note: make advance payments over one month at the News Office.) Carrier Delivered Price Per Month (Advance) . . . . . . . . . . . . $7.50 1 Year (Advance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $84.00 Motor Route Delivered Price Per Month (Advance) . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.00 1 Year (Advance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $89.00 By Mail (R.F.D) Effective March 1, 2006 All Mail Subscriptions must be paid in advance. Kay, Osage, Noble, Pawnee, Grant and Payne Counties 1 Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $84.00 Per Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.50 Elsewhere in Oklahoma 1 Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $89.00 Per Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.00 Outside Oklahoma (U.S.A.) 1 Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $107.00 Per Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9.50 The Ponca City News, Publication No. (USPS 437-780), located at 300 North Third, entered as periodical postage and paid at Ponca City post office, daily except Saturday. Attention Ranchers: Friday & ecial... Saturday Sp at Ready to e s rib smoked pork $ call today to schedule your custom slaughter & processing Pork chops $2.29 lb. whole Brisket $2.39 lb. country-style Pork ribs $1.99 lb. Open Tuesday-Friday 9 am - 5:30 & Sat. 8 am - 4 pm Closed Sunday & Labor Day 10% off all beef hot dogs. Case only. Purchase 15 lbs. of Ground Chuck or Ground Beef, Recieve 1 lb. Free. Sale Prices Good 8/31/11 - 9/3/11 Food Stamps Welcome Gift Certificates Available 9.99/ slab Postmaster; send address changes to Ponca City News, P.O. Box 191, Ponca City, OK 74602, 580-765-3311. Wellington, KS 620-326-2626 Located 1/4 Mile East of New River Bridge on left side of Hwy. 60 PAGE 4-C�THE PONCA CITY NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 Get Your Read On! Workshop Sept. 15 On Social Media Use STILLWATER -- Want to learn more about social media and how to take full advantage of social media sites? Oklahoma State University's Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center is offering an Advanced Social Media Training on Sept. 15. During the advanced training, participants will learn indepth aspects of social media and how social media can benefit their businesses or organizations. A recent study, titled The Social Habit II, found that more people are engaged in social media than not. Results of the study also indicate more than 52 percent of Americans have a profile on social media sites, such as Facebook or Twitter. "Many companies are involved in social media networks, but taking the next step in advanced social media efforts is needed," said Mandy Gross, FAPC manager of communications services and co-chair of the workshop. "This training is designed to give step-by-step instructions and helpful information about using social media, so businesses do not have to stress about participating in the more advanced aspects of the online community." Using social media as a means of distribution and interaction is a useful way for companies to market themselves, in addition to what they are already doing, Gross said. Companies can reach new audiences through social media outlets, which in turn, can attract new customers. Featured workshop presenters include Keith Auer, Head Country Food Products social media specialist; Brooke Clay, Koch Communications travel blogger and e-community manager; Jan Laub, Granny's Good Ol' Fashion Bacon Drippings; and Megan Horton, OSU manager of web and social initiatives. Topics covered during the training include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, blogging, QR Codes and monitoring social media efforts. "This workshop will teach advanced skills needed to effectively engage in the online social community," said Andrea Graves, FAPC business planning and marketing specialist and co-chair of the workshop. "Food manufacturers will learn how they can use this growing avenue to broaden their marketing efforts." Registration deadline for the Advanced Social Media Training is Sept. 9. Cost is $100 per training. The training is limited to the first 25 participants. To register, call Karen Smith at (405) 744-6277 or email email@example.com. To view the full agenda for the Sept. 15 training or for more information, visit www.fapc.biz/socialmediatraining. ANNOUNCING THE month of September as Library Sign-up Month, Commissioner Bill Flegler, City Manager Craig Stephenson, Commissioners Paul Krueger and Lanita Chapman and Mayor Homer Nicholson hold up their library cards. The Ponca City Library invites the public to sign up for a library card during the month of September. In addition to a large selection of fic- tion and non-fiction books, the library has a large collection of DVD movies, public internet computers, genealogical research materials, graphic novels and electronic books. Cards are free to residents of the Ponca City Area. For more information, call (580) 767-0345, visit the library or go to www.poncacitylibrary. com. Mother Goose Is on the Loose in Perry PERRY -- The Perry Carnegie Library storytime begins Sept. 6 with a new exciting programming, "Mother Goose on the Loose." "Mother Goose on the Loose" promotes early literacy in younger children and promotes interaction between children and parents. Each month will have a unit theme, and each week storytime will focus on a concept within that unit. Each concept will contain reading, movement and music for the younger children and reading, movement, music or games and an art project for school-age children. All storytime programs are free. For the next two years, the Perry Carnegie Library will take part in Oklahoma's Early Literacy Workshop Project. The children's librarians have attended the first of three workshops. Presenters for the program are nationally know movers and shakers in the field: Betsy Diamant-Cohen (Mother Goose on the Loose), Wendy Blackwell (National Children's Museum) and Saroj Ghoting (Every Child Ready To Read). This year all programs are offered on Wednesday, except for P.A.C.E. for the home school group. Book Babies for children ages 0-24 months will be from 10 to 10:20 a.m. Toddler Time for children ages 2-4 years will be from 10:30 to 11 a.m. This year the library will be offering an after-school program C.U.@ S.T. (see you at story time) on Wednesdays from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. School-age children from Pre-K through 6th grade are welcome to attend. Special programs will be offered during certain school holidays or school vacations. All storytime programs will follow the Perry School System calendar. Programs will be canceled if schools are closed for inclimate weather or if the City of Perry closes the library due to unforeseen circumstances. For program cancellations or special programs please check PIN or the Perry Carnegie Library Facebook page, or you may call the children's department at (580) 336-7300. Here are some tips to make storytime enjoyable to all: �Parents, guardians or caregivers are asked to stay with the child during the program. �Please try to arrive a few minutes early to allow your child a drink, a bathroom break and time to get into quiet mode. �If your child becomes disruptive, we ask that you temporarily remove him/her from the room, and please return when the child has settled down. �Please bring your child's library card with you. If you do not have one , we will be happy to make one for you. Children are encouraged to check out books afterward for reading at home. �The librarians often take pictures at library events to use in library publicity material, Facebook, and www.perry.lib. ok.us. If you do not want your child in these pictures, tell a librarian prior to the beginning of an event. Hospital Recognized For Cost Reductions ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. -- South Central Kansas Medical Center was recently awarded the 2010 MedAssets Spend Management Best Practice Customer -- Silver Award based on its efforts to reduce costs and improve its financial performance. MedAssets is a group purchasing organization that collaborates with healthcare providers to help control cost, improve margins and cash flow, increase regulatory compliance, and optimize operational efficiency. They serve more than 125 health systems, 3,300 hospitals and 40,000 non-acute healthcare providers. In Kansas and Missouri MedAssets is represented through its affiliate, Associated Purchasing Services. "They (MedAssets) have the buying power to help reduce our costs, and anytime we can reduce healthcare costs that savings is passed on to our patients," stated Holly Harper, SCKMC's Chief Financial Officer. The medical center was selected as an award winner for achieving sustainable results with the purchasing program for the past three years. "Our medical center saves several thousands of dollars each year by using this program. By saving on supplies we can reinvest in new equipment and keep up-to-date with current healthcare processes," Harper said. Michelle Belindo is one of the people working hard to reduce the expenses of medical supplies and services. Belindo is the Purchasing Manager for the medical center. Her department places between four and 10 orders everyday for the majority of the departments within the facility. "Over 75 percent of our purchases are through suppliers in the program, helping to drive cost savings across the organization," Belindo said. Purchases vary and include everything from everyday supplies to specific pieces of equipment purchased during the construction of SCKMC's new medical center. While the savings may range from a few cents per item to hundreds of dollars, it all adds up. "We were able to save on medical gases, anesthesia equipment, ice machines, patient beds, physical therapy equipment and more during the construction of the new hospital, and we continue to save by going through the group. We recently saved 65 percent on freight shipping," Belindo said. The continued need for fiscal responsibility through purchasing programs and budget awareness are promoted throughout the entire facility. SCKMC participates in the MedAssets program through a variety of departments including laboratory, pharmacy, nutritional services and general purchasing. "Rural hospitals must remain competitive with the larger institutions if they are going to be successful within this challenging environment. Our team is always looking for creative ways to reduce expenses while improving the services for our community. The MedAssets program is a good example of what we can accomplish by being focused on the same priorities," said Steve Perkins, SCKRMC CEO. Main Street Member Shares Preservation Information NEWKIRK -- David "Brock" Brockelbank represented Newkirk Main Street at the Preservation Expo recently at the Cox Center in Oklahoma City. Architects, preservationist and Main Street volunteers from throughout the state attended the event. Brockelbank said one point made during the seminar was that buildings constructed before 1920 are the most efficient. When restoring, refurbishing or rehabbing a building, designing with long-lasting material is a must and it is always best to use original replacement parts. Using vinyl is not good as it does not have breathability, he said. In restoring or repairing columns, aluminum is costly and creates paint problems, Brockelbank said. Composite flooring for porch flooring is acceptable. For new construction, bamboo is good to use, and "maintenance consideration" should always be a top priority. For gardens and lawns, roof run-off is the best source of water as rain water has more nitrogen in it. Bermuda grass requires too many chemicals to ensure a good growth, he said. Buffalo grass is better as it needs no fertilizer. It was often used in parks during the 1940s. When mulching around trees, use small amounts of leaves, hay or wood chips, never piling too high. Logs or rail ties should not be used as they simply invite termites, Brockelbank said. While every building is different and orientation to the sun varies, awnings can potentially save 10 percent to 25 percent on energy costs per year. There are two primary questions with any window, Brockelbank said. What is the U-value and air infiltration rate? U-values are a calculation of how much energy passes through a one square foot area of a window in one hour. He said $20 to $60 worth of weather stripping and a $400 wooden exterior storm window, with low-e glass, will make the U-value go from .44 down to a .34 to .40. Silicone putty is good, he said, while Glaze All is best for replacing window glass.. A "roller chisel" should be used to remove old putty. Rubber insulation works well between upper and lower window units. SOME OF THE barbecue experts from Pop's R+D BBQ team at last year's Charlie Adams Day. Barbecue Crews Busy Getting Ready for Charlie Adams Day Heritage Hills Home, NEWKIRK -- It's a week and a half before the big day, and the barbecue teams are prepared to cook, the meat has been ordered, prayers have been said for no rain on that date and Newkirk is waiting for visitors to come stuff themselves with world-class barbecue. The teams this year include the Paul Focke family with Lip Smakin' BBQ; Rick Peri and the Bush Boys BBQ; Doug Dillow and family with Country Road BBQ; John Steele's Steele Family BBQ; Scott Hamre with the Oink & Moo BBQ Crew; Casey Webb with W.B. Meats; Bryan Mantz with the Mantz Family BBQ; Richard Trice and team with Pop's R+D BBQ; Shannon Butler with the Thunder Pig BBQ; Luke Hutchason crew with Smoke Wars; Vance Johnson with Stagecoach Bar-B-Q; and Jerry Evans and team with the Firehouse BBQ. These teams will be serving up brisket, pork, chicken and beans as well as a few of their own personal favorites. No one will go away hungry and the crowd will vote on People's Choice. Hot dogs and hamburgers also will be for sale for nonbarbecue fans. In addition to great food, there will be entertainment throughout the day beginning with the All Starz Cheerleaders at 9:30 a.m. and ending with the trophy awards for the cookers which will begin at 2:30 p.m. Some of the children's activities include Money in the Haystack sponsored by Eastman National Bank, turtle races sponsored by K&C Manufacturing, a Fun Run, inflatable toys sponsored by the Kay County officers, a dunk tank sponsored by Parent Teacher Organization, the jail sponsored by the National Honor Society as well as several others. The Main Street Mavericks will have two performances in a new location on the courthouse lawn. They will be accompanied by Miss Cindy's School of Dance can-can dancers out of Arkansas City, Kan. Lerin Thomas will sing the national anthem and Cordelia Clapp will do the signing of the Lord's Prayer, God Bless America and Oklahoma Rising. The Rev. Jim Hollifield will be this year's storyteller, portraying Nehemiah Tubbs. Pake McEntire and NoDeny Band will also be on hand. There will be cold drinks and lots of arts and crafts available for purchase. Garden Tour Oct. 15-16 CHAPMAN SHOES & SANDALS � CHAPMAN SHOES Enid Business Expo Set for Sept. 29 ENID -- Vendors, exhibitors and attendees will want to register early for the Northwest Oklahoma Business Expo scheduled for 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Cherokee Strip Conference Center, 123 West Maine Avenue in Enid. Exhibitor booth space fee is $100 and registration for attendees is $39 per person; student registration is $15 and may be made online at www.ruralenterprises.com. The Expo will provide business and technical assistance to business owners and entrepreneurs in northwest Oklahoma. The one-day event features nine to 12 breakout sessions providing information on how to develop a business idea, leadership skills, growing a business and how to have economic impact on your community through job creation and sales. Co-sponsors are Enid Regional Development Alliance, OSU Cooperative Extension, Enid Chamber of Commerce, Autry Tech, Encompass Financial Services, Ponca City Development Authority and REI's Women's Business Center. OKLAHOMA CITY -- The 45th annual Heritage Hills Historic Homes and Gardens Tour will be from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 15 and 16. This year's tour includes the private homes and gardens of Jane and Pete Holcombe, 311 Northwest 19; Trudy and Dr. Jerry White, 920 Northwest 14; Lorrie and Dr. Andy Monteiro, 1611 Classen Drive; Robert Fasol, 1523 North Shartel; Sara and Corbin See, 316 Northwest 18; and the garden of Karren and Phillip Napier, 1519 Classen Drive. The tour also will include a landmark site, the Overholser Mansion at 405 Northwest 15. The mansion will serve as Tour Central. The tour is held annually to heighten awareness and promote preservation of Oklahoma City's architectural history, and to ensure the protection of enduring cultural landmarks for years to come. The Heritage Caf� will serve lunch beginning at 11 a.m. on the Overholser lawn. The tour features a cross-section of homes and gardens, offering guests the opportunity to view different styles and stages of homes in the neighborhood. Advance tickets are available for $12 beginning Sept. 5 at several Oklahoma City stores. Tickets are $14 the days of the tour. CHAPMAN SHOES & SANDALS � CHAPMAN SHOES & BOOTS CHAPMAN SHOES & SANDALS � CHAPMAN SHOES Contact Midweek Submit your story and photo ideas to Midweek Editor Beverly Bryant at firstname.lastname@example.com or call (580) 765-3311, Ext. 137. Deadline for submissions is one week prior to publication. Dennis would like to invite all his friends & family to stop by... 3501 N. 14th Ponca City (580)765-2511 www.davismoore.com Dennis ADAms Davis-Moore welcomes salesperson Ponca Chapman Shoe Emporium OPENCity, OK DAILY WOMEN,S SANDALS 2601 N. 14th Special Group On Display $ 95 79 SHOP NOW WHILE SELECTION IS BEST! CHAPMAN SHOES & SANDALS � CHAPMAN SHOES & BOOTS Healthy Aging: How Can Women Get the Calcium They Need? You're a woman, and you need calcium to build strong bones and prevent osteoporosis in later life. So you put extra milk on your cereal and order a latte rather than black coffee. It sounds simple, but that's not all you need to know about calcium, milk and your risk of osteoporosis. Calcium is an essential nutrient that helps regulate the heart's rhythm, transmit nerve signals and promote the proper clotting of blood. One role is the development of strong bones and teeth. About 99 percent of the body's total stores of calcium are in the skeleton. The body obtains calcium through food or supplements, but when you don't consume enough and blood levels of calcium drop too low, the body borrows from the supply in the bone bank to meet the THE PONCA CITY NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011�PAGE 5-C By Judy Rupp, CIRS-A Northern Oklahoma Development Authority Area Agency on Aging deficit. It's deficit financing, and the idea is to repay the debt as soon as possible. If dietary sources of calcium are not forthcoming the deficit continues to grow, and your bones gradually lose their density and strength. The need for calcium is more critical during the time of menopause when declining levels of estrogen contribute to loss of bone density great enough to pose a risk of fractures. That's a simplified description of a complex process. But it's important to learn as much as you can to protect yourself from unnecessary fractures that are a major cause of death and disability among older women. Human bone goes through a lifelong process of "remodeling." Cells known as osteoclasts break it down while osteoblasts build new bone. Persons who get enough exercise and dietary calcium produce more bone than is destroyed -- but only until about age 30. After that time, bone loss is typical, accelerating after menopause. The result of this bone loss is osteoporosis or literally "porous bones." About 8 million American women have osteoporosis, and another 30 million are at risk of developing it because of declining bone mass. Half of all women age 50 and over are destined to suffer an osteoporosisrelated fracture of the hip, back or wrist, and these often result in death or loss of independence. While adequate levels of calcium are needed to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, there is no guarantee that bone loss can be prevented. And there is no agreement as to how much calcium is recommended. The National Academy of Sciences recommends 1,200 milligrams for women age 50 and over. Combining calcium and Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium from the intestines. Good bone health requires both Vitamin D and calcium, and some studies have shown that 1,200 milligrams of calcium plus 800 IU of Vitamin D can increase bone density and decrease fractures in older postmenopausal women. The best source of Vitamin D is sunlight. It's now believed that most women should get at least 800 IU of Vitamin D per day, through supplements if necessary. Vitamin K, found mainly in green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, collard greens and broccoli, also plays a role in calcium regulation and bone formation. Vitamin A likewise plays a role in the process of borrowing and re-depositing calcium. But a lot depends on the type of Vitamin A consumed. Pre-formed Vitamin A can increase fracture risk. So if you're buying a multivitamin, look for one that has a high proportion of beta-carotene as opposed to pre-formed Vitamin A. Milk and other dairy products are a convenient source of calcium. They are also high in protein and usually have Vitamins D and A added. But some persons are lactose intolerant; some don't like milk; and dairy products are generally high in saturated fat, a cardiovascular risk. Alternatives that are high in calcium include dark green, leafy vegetables, dried beans and legumes. Foods fortified with calcium include orange juice and soy milk. Antacids contain calcium, and, of course, there are calcium supplements. When it comes to protecting your bones, calcium clearly is only one part of the equation. Recognizing that some bone loss may be inevitable, the best approach is to get regular weight-bearing exercise, get outside often and eat a well rounded diet that provides healthy quantities of calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin K and other nutrients every day. Area Calendar Every Day Principles Before Personalities, Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Harmony House basement (use south entrance by parking lot). Twice a Month Friday or Saturday Christian Singles Group meets twice a month, for more information on time and place, call 763-5945 or 762-1295. Every Sunday Celebrate Recovery: 12-Step, Faith-Based, Recovery Program, Dealing with overcoming hurts, habits and hang-ups, 6-8 p.m., Hutchins Memorial Building, North Fifth Street and East Overbrook Avenue, Ponca City, for information call 580-401-5766, accepted for court-ordered participant. Third Sunday Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.) North Central Chapter, for information call (580) 716-8500. Every Monday TOPS #308 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), First Presbyterian Church, 1505 East Grand Avenue, Ponca City, 5 to 5:50 p.m. for weigh-ins with meeting following. Contact DeeDee at 580-823-0540 or Natalie at 580716-3059. After Five Lions Club, 6:30 p.m., Pizza Hut, 2301 North Fourteenth Street, prospective members welcome. Ponca City Rotary Club, 11:30 a.m., Pizza Hut, 2301 North Fourteenth Street. Gamblers Anonymous, 7 p.m., Woodlands Christian Church, Fourteenth Street and Hartford Avenue, contact (580) 761-1770. Gam-Anon, 7 p.m., Woodlands Christian Church, Fourteenth Street and Hartford Avenue, contact (580) 382-1950. Friends of the NRA, 7 p.m., Ponca City Junior Rifle Club Range, contact 765-7324. First Monday of the Month Oklahoma City Vet Representative Harold Barse, readjustment counseling therapist, 9 a.m.-noon, Otoe-Missouria Tribal Complex Enterprise Building Conference Room. Lions Vision Support Group, 10 a.m. at Ponca City First Christian Church, using the west entrance. Refreshments are served at 9:45 a.m. For a ride call 762-3263. The meetings are open to visually impaired residents. Autoimmune Disease Support Group, 1 p.m., Ponca City Senior Center, 319 West Grand, contact (580) 763-8051. Parent Voice Groups, support, education and resources to assist parents in advocating for their children who have behavioral or mental health issues, 6 to 7:30 p.m., 205 East Chestnut Avenue, child care and dinner provided, please RSVP 762-7561 Tammy or Deb. Christian Motorcyclist Association, 6 p.m., Pizza Hut, 2301 North Fourteenth Street. Pioneer Genealogical Society, 7 p.m., Ponca City Library, guests are welcome, call 7625931 or e-mail email@example.com for more information. First Monday and Tuesday Of Every Other Month AARP Driver Safety Class, February, April, June, August, October, December, 6 p.m., Pioneer Technology Center, classes intended for older drivers; however, drivers of all ages are eligible to attend. Most auto insurance companies give discount for successful completion of classes, seating limited. Call (580) 718-0637 or 762-3265 to register. Monday-Friday Alcoholic Anonymous Simple Steps, Noon, Harmony House, 212 South Third Street. First and Third Monday Ponca Lodge No. 83 Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Masonic Center, 1200 West Grand Avenue. Second Monday Alzheimer Support and Respite Group Meetings, 1 p.m., Ponca City Senior Center, 319 West Grand Avenue. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Group, 5:30 to 7 p.m., First Christian Church, Fifth Street and Cleveland Avenue, free snack supper and meeting, activities for grandchildren provided; contact RSVP 762-9412. Second and Fourth Monday Ponca City American Red Cross Chapter open for blood donors, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., 216 East Grand Avenue, call 765-6605 for appointment and additional information. Ponca City After Five Lions Club, 6:30 p.m., Pizza Hut, 2301 North Fourteenth Street. Prospective members welcome, information on club activities, David 765-9595 or Jerry 4911004. Third Monday of the Month Autoimmune Disease Support Group, 6 p.m., Ponca City Senior Center, 319 West Grand Avenue. Contact (580) 763-8051. Fourth Monday PM Patches and Pieces Quilters' Guild, 6 to 9 p.m., Ponca City Senior Center, 319 West Grand Avenue. Contact 762-0761. Tuesday-Saturday Pioneer Woman Museum, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Ponca City, (Closed Sunday, Monday and Holidays). Every Tuesday Band Playing, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Ponca City Senior Center, 319 West Grand Avenue. Prayers for the Nation, noon to 1 p.m., foyer of First Lutheran Church, 1104 North Fourth Street. Country Notes Playing, 10 a.m.-noon, McCord Senior Center, 115 Mary Road, public welcome. Kiwanis, noon to 1 p.m., Ponca City Country Club dining room. Dragon's Harvest Moon, story time for 3- to 6-year olds, 1 p.m., Ponca City Library. Space limited, sign up in advance. Exercise Classes in Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan, 5:30 p.m., Assembly Center First Baptist Church, 218 South Sixth Street, with instructor Bill Goldsberry, no class fee/appropriate clothing required. DivorceCare, a seminar and support group, 5:45-7:30 p.m., Master's Touch Christian Book and Gift Store, 312 East Grand Avenue, Ponca City, information 767-1054. Country Jam Country and Gospel Music, 6 p.m., Ponca City Senior Center, 319 West Grand Avenue. Bible Institute, 7 to 8 p.m., Ponca City Foursquare Church, 762-2729, a non-credited Broadway Bible College class taught by Pastor Blaine Herron. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday Exercise, 9:30 a.m., Ponca City Senior Center, 319 West Grand Avenue. First Tuesday Caregiver's Support Group Lunch and Meeting, Noon, First Lutheran Church, 1101 North Fourth Street, Ponca City, RSVP 762-1111. Second Tuesday Camp McFadden Recreational Area Board Meeting, noon, Head Country BBQ Restaurant. Public invited; for information, phone 762-9955. Kay County Mounties 4-H Club, 6 p.m., Contact Cynthia Blevins 765-3602 or (832) 7151558 for more information. Schooners Car Club Dinner and Meeting, 6 p.m., Pizza Hut, 2301 North Fourteenth Street. Silent Dinner, for Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Sign Language Users and/or any interested people, informal time to re-connect with old friendships and make new ones, 6 p.m., Hartford Avenue Church of Christ Fellowship Center, 1905 Joe Street. Cherokee Strip Corvette Club, 6 p.m., Pemberton Chevrolet, 3330 North Fourteenth Street, more information www.cherokeestripcorvetteclub.com. North Central Oklahoma Mothers of Multiples, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Ponca City Library board room, all parents of multiples welcome. For more information, call 7652525 or e-mail NCOMOM@ yahoogroups.com. Rural Water District No. 1 Monthly Board Meetings, 7:30 p.m., Enterprise School Building on Lake Road. Third Tuesday Children with Disabilities Family Support Group, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Opportunity Center, 2225 North Union Street. Every Wednesday Ponca City Noon Lions, 11:30 a.m. lunch, noon meeting, Ponca City Country Club. First and Third Wednesday Soroptimist International of Ponca City, a women's service club, Noon, Pizza Hut, contact 763-1474 or Kathy 765-8043. Second Wednesday General Electric Retirees Association, 9 a.m., V.F.W., Arkansas City, Kan. Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme Garden Club, 11:30 a.m., Cann Garden home or members homes, Ponca City, brown bag lunch, Gardening Enthusiasts Welcome, for information call Mary Anne Potter 767-1957 or email herbs2@sbcglobalnet Ponca City American Red Cross provides Adult, Child, Infant CPR review classes, 5 to 7:30 p.m., 216 East Grand Avenue, call 765-6605 to confirm attendance and additional information. Ponca City Stamp Club, 6 p.m., location, members' homes. For information, call John Hedrick, 762-6702, or e-mail john_hedrick2000@ yahoo.com. Third Wednesday Crystal Dawn Coalition, a Meth Prevention Initiative, 8:15 a.m., Northern Oklahoma Youth Services, 2203 North Ash Street, Ponca City. Operation Pioneer Spirit, 1 p.m., Pioneer Woman Museum, 701 Monument Road, Ponca City; Organizing the day before, 10 a.m., at the museum, information, Pioneer Woman Museum, 7656108 or Mary Anne Potter 7671957 or operationpioneerspirit.com. All patriotic citizens welcome. Last Wednesday of Each Month International Club, 6:30 p.m., for more information, 762-3921. Every Thursday Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Representative, 9 to 11 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m., American Legion, 407 West South Avenue. Any veteran needing assistance or has questions is welcome. Movie on big screen in the program room of the Ponca City Library at 3:30 p.m. See in-house brochures, or call to find out what's playing. Open AA Meetings, 7 p.m., Ponca Tribal Social Development Center, all welcome. First Thursday Master Gardeners, 9 a.m., Cann Gardens. Kay-9 Dog Training Club, 7 p.m., Ponca City Library, public welcome, contact Ruth 401-5569. Classic Cars & Draggin' Grand of Ponca City meeting, 7 p.m., Nazarene Church, 1900 West Grand Avenue, prospective members welcome. Second Thursday Ponca City Area Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Chapter No. 698, noon, Pioneer Technology Center, Room B-120, contact Katy Muller 762-5935 or Mike Daugherty 765-3372. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 14, 7 p.m., Post Home, 407 West South Avenue, all eligible persons invited. Contact 765-9073. "Lean on Me" Bariatric Surgery Support Group, 6 p.m., Ponca City Medical Center, Conference Room B. Contact 762-1186. Gold Wing Road Riders Association, 6 p.m., Pizza Hut, contact Daryl and Kathi Dunham, 762-6950. Kay County National Alliance on Mental Illness, 7 p.m., 201 East Chestnut Avenue. The group welcomes anyone with a mental illness or who is interested in support, education or advocacy for the mentally ill and their families. Contact 765-2814. Second and Fourth Thursday American Legion Membership Meeting, 7 p.m., Post Home, 407 West South Avenue. Third Thursday Interfaith Dialogue Group of Ponca City, call Jean Chambers for details, 716-4594. Ponca City Newcomers, 6:30 p.m., Ponca City Country Club. Contact Joyce Fox 7629578. Kay County Chapter of the Oklahoma Anthropological Society (archaeology), 6:30 p.m., Ponca City Library, check Ponca City News Sunday before meeting for program. Guests welcome. Kaw City Area Chamber of Commerce, 7 p.m., Community Center, 300 Morgan Square, Kaw City, see www. kawcitychamber.org for contact information, visitors welcome. Vietnam Veterans of America, Northern Oklahoma Chapter 750, regular meetings, 7 p.m., American Legion Post 14, 407 West South Avenue. Third Thursday of Every Other Month Kay County Local Emergency Planning Committee, noon, training room of Ponca City Fire Station No. 1, Fifth Street and Grand Avenue, January, March, May, July, September, November. Fourth Thursday Hospice of North Central Oklahoma inc. and Higher Ground Center for Loss & Education Grief Support Group, 1:30-3 p.m., 1904 North Union Street Suiit 103, Ponca City, more details 580-7629102 or 1-800-814-9102. Alzheimer Support and Respite Group Meetings, 7 p.m., Ponca City Senior Center, 319 West Grand Avenue. Every Friday Ponca Language Arts Council, 1:30 p.m., Valdez Building, White Eagle, everyone interested in the Ponca Language invited. Senior Pitch, 6 p.m., Ponca City Senior Center, 319 West Grand Avenue. Cruise Night, 6 p.m., Chapman's Shoes Parking Lot, North Fourteenth Street, Ponca City, Welcome hot rods, motorcycles, anyone interested in the hobby, hosted by Schooners Car Club. Every Saturday Story Time for 0-3 Year Olds, 11:30 a.m., Ponca City Library, Children's Area, Free, Public Welcome. Bro. Mike's Gospel Jubilee, 6:30 to 9 p.m. One and a half miles east of the River Bridge on U.S. Highway 60. First Saturday of Every Month Ponca City Regional Airport and Ponca City Aviation Booster Club, Fly-In Breakfast, 7 to 10 a.m., Building 14, Ponca City Municipal Airport. Second Saturday of the Month Ponca City American Red Cross provides Adult, Child, Infant CPR/FA, AED Classes, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 216 East Grand Avenue. Register online at www.oklahomaredcross.org, or call 765-6605. Figure 8 Stock Car Races and Demolition Derby, 8 p.m., 77 Speedway north of Newkirk. For information, call (620) 442-3250, or go to badascar.com. Third Saturday of the Month Osage County Republican Party Meeting, 10-11 a.m., Snider's Soda Shoppe, 102 West Main, Hominy, contact 918-260-5762, Everyone welcome to attend and get involved. Sept. 10 Pancakes/Sausage/Biscuit and Gravy Breakfast, 6:30-10 a.m., American Legion Post 14, 407 West South Avenue, adults $5, children under 12 $3, children under 6 free, includes drinks. Sept. 12 Kay County Retired Educators Association, 11:30 a.m. lunch, Pioneer Technology Center, 2101 North Ash Street, Ponca City, Program "Staying Safe and Preventing I.D. Theft," by Brian Hermanson, district attorney, lunch $7. Sept. 13 McCord Volunteer Fire Department, 7 p.m., McCord Volunteer Fire Department Station, 22 Howard. Sept. 14 Kaw Reservoir Authority, 11 a.m., City Hall, Council Conference, Room, 723 S. Lewis, Stillwater. Sept. 15 Annual Meeting "Friends of 1893 Land Run," (formerly "Old Settler's" organization), Kay Room, Kay Electric Cooperative Building, 300 W. Doolin, Blackwell, registration 11 a.m., covered dish dinner noon, program 12/45 p.m., public invited. Sept. 19 Osage Cove Volunteer Fire Department, 6 p.m., Fire Station, corner U.S. 60 and Keeler Road, volunteers welcome. Sept. 24 Pancakes/Sausage/Biscuit and Gravy Breakfast, 6:30-10 a.m., American Legion Post 14, 407 West South Avenue, adults $5, children under 12 $3, children under 6 free, includes drinks. Oct. 7 Annual Fall Salad Luncheon and Bake Sale, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Albright United Methodist Church, 128 South Palm Street, Ponca City, Adults $6, Children $2, The AUMW's cookbook, "Homemade with Love" can be purchased at the Church, 580-765-6432. Oct. 8 Pancakes/Sausage/Biscuit and Gravy Breakfast, 6:30-10 a.m., American Legion Post 14, 407 West South Avenue, adults $5, children under 12 $3, children under 6 free, includes drinks. Oct. 22 Pancakes/Sausage/Biscuit and Gravy Breakfast, 6:30-10 a.m., American Legion Post 14, 407 West South Avenue, adults $5, children under 12 $3, children under 6 free, includes drinks. Oct. 29 Sportscard and Memorabilia Show, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Community Christian Church, 2109 West Grand Avenue, free admission, call 580-763-3760 for more information. Nov. 12 Kay County Shrine Club Presents Rob Kent and the Texas T Band, 7:30 p.m., Hutchins Memorial Auditorium, Fifth Street and Overbrook Avenue, tickets information, 580-765-0966. $ 5 LUNCH DEALS! Mazzio's Coupon Expires 9/10/11 Pizza, Pasta, Salad, Potatoes, Cheese Dippers, Brownies, Cinnamon Sticks, Breadsticks & Dessert Pizza Mon.-Fri. 11 to 1:30 ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT LUNCH BUFFET $ 00 ALSO AVAILABLE SAT. LUNCH AND TUES.-WED. EVENINGS FOR $5.99! No Limit -- Bring Friends & Family! Tax not included. Not valid with any other coupon or offer except where noted. 5 5 5 ANY SANDWICH PLUS CHIPS Choose Wheatberry Bread or Our NEW Multigrain Hoagie -- NO LIMIT! -- Mon.-Fri. 11 to 4 Mazzio's Coupon Expires 9/10/11 $ 00 ALSO AVAILABLE AFTER 4 FOR $5.99! Tax not included. Not valid with any other coupon or offer except where noted. ANY MINI PIZZA PLUS SALAD Mon.-Fri. 11 to 4 ALSO AVAILABLE SAT. & SUN 11-4 FOR $5.99! Mazzio's Coupon Expires 9/10/11 $ 00 NO LIMIT! Tax not included. Not valid with any other coupon or offer except where noted. KEN'S PIZZA IS HERE TO STAY! ALL MEAT FAVORITE SUPREME Pepperoni, Sausage, Chicken and Canadian Bacon You choose up to four of your favorite toppings KEN'S KEN'S KEN'S Pepperoni, Sausage, Mushroom, Onion and Green Pepper Or the Original 1-Topping KEN'S PIZZA for $10.50 Tax not included. Not valid with other specials or promotions except where noted. Sorry, no duplicate toppings on Ken's Favorite. DAILY SPECIALS SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY 3 Pizzas for the Price of Two! Any Medium Pricebuster for $6.49, or Any Large 1-Topping Pizza for $7.49! Buy 1 Buy 1 Pizza, Get Next Pizza, Get One Smaller Size FREE! for $1.99! SATURDAY Quesa PizzaTM, Dessert Pizza TM 1-Topping Jumbo Buy 1 Pizza at MIX OR MATCH! 1-Topping Pizza, Calzone Pizzas $12.99 Reg. Price, Get Med.Sandwich, Large Pasta, , THURSDAY FRIDAY NOToppings $2.05 Ea. LIMIT! Extra a 2nd Pizza for $4.00! Ken's Pizza, Supers, and Price Busters are not included. Other restrictions may apply. ANY 2 for $14.99 We are a licensed mixed-beverage caterer for weddings, office parties, class reunions and other functions! Member of the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce � We Accept Chamber Bucks Find Mazzio's Italian Eatery of Ponca City on Facebook! 720 East Prospect � 762-6681 PAGE 6-C�THE PONCA CITY NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 Splash Park Popular Oasis CROWDS OF kids enjoy the water cannons and other features of the War Memorial Park Splashpad, located immediately south of the Wally Smith Tennis Center on Seventh Street near Overbrook Avenue. (News Photo by Rolf Clements) SPRAYING FOUNTAINS, water cannons and buckets that tip over when filled with water help cool off all those who enjoy the new splash park. (News Photo by Rolf Clements) Medical Care Call Came Just in Time for Diabetic 7-Year-Old OKLAHOMA CITY -- Barbara Johnson knows life is full of uncertainties, but she's certain about one thing: a determined Oklahoma Health Care Authority employee Wildlife Refuge Manager Named Aaron Archibeque, a leader in wildlife conservation, has been selected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to oversee the National Wildlife Refuge System throughout Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona. Archibeque is a native New Mexican and grew up in the small town of Algodones. He graduated from New Mexico State University with a degree in Wildlife Management. During his time in college he started his career with the service as a cooperative education student trainee and has been with the service for more than 28 years. Prior to moving back to New Mexico, Archibeque was in Alaska where he served as the Refuge Manager for Togiak National Wildlife Refuge. He spent almost 14 years living in the remote community of Dillingham, Alaska. In 2004, Aaron and his family moved back to the Southwest Region and he has served as the Refuge Supervisor for Oklahoma and Texas since that time. "Aaron has been a tremendous asset for the Service throughout his career in conservation," said Regional Director Benjamin Tuggle, Ph.D. "He has a practical approach to landscape level protection, and a strong commitment to efforts to connect people with nature." In his new role as the Assistant Regional Director, Archibeque will help guide the strategic management of the network of refuge lands that encompass more than 150 million acres throughout the United States, will help implement measures of President Obama's America's Great Outdoor Initiative, and will oversee strategic growth of the system, including a new proposed urban refuge in Albuquerque, N.M. "The Refuge System is a tremendous network of lands," said Archibeque. "I'm excited to part of a national initiative geared at re-connecting the next generation with great outdoor places, and managing national wildlife refuges in the southwest which truly are some of the nation's best hidden gems." Oklahoma is home to nine National Wildlife Refuges including the Wichita Mountains and Salt Plains Wildlife Refuges. These wildlife refuges provide an opportunity to explore the natural world and experience Oklahoma's scenic beauty. who helped her re-enroll her daughter in SoonerCare a few weeks ago saved the 7-yearold child's life. "Latrita's call saved my little girl. It saved her life," said Johnson, referring to Latrita McFadden, an OHCA employee who contacts people whose SoonerCare coverage has lapsed. McFadden said the call she made was one "of hundreds" she makes every week as part of OHCA's effort to make sure parents keep their children enrolled in the SoonerCare program, (Oklahoma Medicaid). She had made several attempts to reach Barbara Johnson and her husband, Tim, who live in Wilburton, when Johnson returned her call. After confirming Piper was qualified for the program, McFadden encouraged Johnson to make a well-child appointment for her daughter with her medical home doctor. "She said `call right now, today," Johnson remembered. So, Johnson made an appointment for July 5 at a Latimer County clinic. Over the July 4 weekend, Piper didn't feel well. Monday night she complained of being thirsty and was nauseous and vomiting. When Piper saw her medical home doctor on Tuesday, he immediately told the Johnsons she had "textbook symptoms" of diabetes. Piper's blood sugar reading was more than 1,000 -- a random blood sugar of 200 or more with Piper's symptoms would be a presumption of diabetes. The doctor made immediate arrangements to life flight Piper to a Tulsa hospital for treatment in the intensive care unit. He also wanted the family to receive further training in how to take care of Piper at home. Piper's veins had collapsed and before the flight paramedics injected insulin into her body through her bone marrow. Piper was placed in ICU at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. She was there until the next week when doctors released her to go home. Thanks to a perfectly timed phone call and a wellchild check-up, she was well enough to go on an outing with her parents recently. When Piper saw her first McDonald's restaurant playground, she was excited she got to see her "first McDonald's amusement park." Piper is an inquisitive child with lots of energy. Symptoms and treatments that might have slowed down most children showed few outward signs with her. The Johnsons know they have a difficult task in front of them. "We are her pancreas now," Barbara Johnson said. "We are a team -- Tim, Piper and I -- and we make sure we do the math, give her the shots and see that she is eating what she needs." More than 472,000 Oklahoma children are currently enrolled in SoonerCare. According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, another 60,000 children qualify for SoonerCare but are not enrolled. SoonerCare provides children who qualify with medical and dental coverage. Oklahomans can apply for SoonerCare online at www. mysoonercare.org. To find out more information about SoonerCare, SoonerEnroll or any of OHCA's health care programs call the SoonerCare Helpline at 1-800-987-7767 or visit www.okhca.org. 2011-2012 Blackwell Schools Employees Supporting Superintendent in 5K BLACKWELL -- Employees of Blackwell Public Schools are participating in the Oklahoma City Hope in OK 5K Fun Run/Walk on Sept. 10 to raise money for gynecological cancer in support of Lesa Ward, Blackwell Schools Superintendent. A 5K is 3.1 miles. Members of "Team Lesa" may run or walk the distance. This fun run/walk is being held to raise awareness and support for those who have been diagnosed with any form of gynecological cancer. Both events are open to all ages, both male and female. The 5K race is being held on a USATF sanctioned course and will be professionally timed by DG Productions. The survivor/fun walk will be an untimed event and will be done around RedHawks Field at Bricktown. Hope in OK's mission is to offer women hope and to help them, their families and friends cope with their cancer diagnosis by uniting them with the medical community, providing education and support and encouraging them to maintain a positive attitude, and to educate the women of Oklahoma regarding early signs and symptoms of gynecologic cancer, resulting in early detection. To participate, go to https://www.signmeup.com/ site/online-event-registration/77072 and register. E-mail Becky King at email@example.com so that there can be an accurate count of those attending. Team T-shirts will be available to wear during the race. The cost will be around $10 and those who sign up will be kept posted. Participants will meet at the Central Office the day of the run around 5:30 a.m. to pass out packets and carpool. The start time is 8:30 a.m. Sept. 10 and pre-registration is $25. Registration on the day of the race is $30 and includes a T-shirt. Canada's Hottest Jazz Combo! The Eric Allison Trio with Cheryl Fisher Thu. Sept. 29, 2011 7:30 pm with the William S. Hart Classic HOLLYWOOD Thu. Mar. 1, 2012 7:30 pm IntroducIng Thu. Oct. 20, 2011 7:30 pm Starring Phil Bandy & Dave May Thu. April 19, 2012 7:30 pm Professional Chiropractic Solutions Don't wait! Call today & stop the pain with traditional hands-on care. Kristin would like to invite all her friends & family to stop by and see her at... Season sponsored in part by rasmussen Kristin Salesperson Thu. May 10, 2012 7:30 pm Nov. 17-27, 2011 7:30 pm BONUS! BONUS! Tickets Start at Just For these hip gigs! Purchase Your Season Tickets Before SEPT. 15 and Receive a FREE Ticket to . . . . $120 tax included Call for relief - (580) 765-2482 101 E. Broadway, Ponca City www.drtimblanton.com Blanton Chiropractic Clinic Sept 15 @ 7:30 pm non-commission Sales team 104 E. Grand Ave. Ponca City � 580.765.0943 3515 N. 14th � Ponca City Neglected Injury = Back Pain Tomorrow www.poncaautoworld.com 580-718-AUTO Order Season Tickets Online: www.poncantheatre.com As I mentioned in an earlier piece, time has been a rare and valuable commodity around this workplace and that was especially true in the week most recently spent. So, taking the easy way out, I thought I would pass along some information I happened upon while surfing the web during the slower days of summer. Actually the idea came from inventorsport.com, but in doing my own search I came upon other sites with the same type of information. It involves unusual or odd (downright weird in some cases) games or activities some folks call sport. As a youngster, I loved visiting my sister and brother-inlaw. They were always fun to be around. My brother-inlaw could make a game out of routine work. I remember he and I attacked a field of waist high weeds once with sickles. He had me convinced we were lumberjacks competing to see who could chop down the most trees. The winner would be the one at the end who had a larger stack of "lumber." But, as they say, I digress. Below are some of the more unusual sports I found on various sites (and I can't help but add a comment of my own.): Dunny Derby -- This event, held in Winton, Queensland, is such an important event on the sporting calendar it is only held every second year in September. "Dunny" is an Australian outback term for a toilet, and is usually the outdoor type. The Dunny Derby involves one person sitting on the "throne" while another pulls the dunny along on wheels. (I can see why they only do this only once every two years.) Bed Racing -- In this English contest, the competitors race in teams of six, plus one on the bed. Each team must provide their own bed, decorated in the theme for the year. The bed runs on four wheels, but also needs to be able to float. The race is a 3.6-kilometer run including uphill and downhill segments and the final challenge is crossing a river. (It reminds me of a dream I had the other night that my bed, with me in it, was floating down a roaring river.) Cheese Rolling -- On the last weekend in May each year (the Spring Bank holiday) on the top of the very steep Cooper's Hill in Gloucester, England, people gather with their seven-pound hunk of cheese to take part in the famous "Coopers Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake." The aim of the competition is to roll your cheese to the bottom of the hill with you following it any way you can. The cheese can travel at up to 30 miles per hour, with the participants at much the same speed. People get hurt, some pretty badly, and if you ever see this event you will understand why. (Sounds like a waste of good cheese to me.) Cockroach Racing -- On Australia Day (Jan. 26), a cockroach racing competition is held. The race starts with a bucket of roaches emptied into the middle of a race ring, and the first to reach the edge Some Sports Make a Lot of Sense; Others Are Plain Weird This and That About Sports By David Miller THE PONCA CITY NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011�PAGE 7-C THESE GUYS weren't particularly mad at one another before they began their shin kicking competition. But bets are off what they are thinking now. same time. Gurning through a horse collar is known as "gurnin through a braffin." The competition is held in mid-September each year. (My mother wouldn't have allowed me to participate. She would have said, "What if your face would freeze that way?") Kissing Sports -- The World Kissing Competition is held annually at the Acquafan park of Riccione in Northeastern Italy. Hundreds of contestants battle in events ranging from "basketball kissing" to "underwater kissing." In the underwater kissing event, the contestants have to kiss underwater in a transparent swimming pool for as long as they can. (I know a 9-yearold boy whose comment would be "eeeewwwww" or however you spell that). Rock, Paper Scissors -- The 2005 RPS World Championship was held in Toronto Canada, and involved 495 competitors from 27 U.S. States, Norway, Northern Ireland, Cayman Islands, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Canada. The winner received $7,000 Canadian, second place received $1,500 and third $500. (The activity isn't so unusual, but I didn't know there was a World Championship event). Pie Eating -- (Again, not so unusual, but this is my kind of sport. Where do I sign up?) Red Neck Olympics -- The Summer Redneck Games started in 1996 as an alternative to the Olympic Games being held in Atlanta in response to a lot of jokes were being made about a bunch of rednecks hosting the Olympics. It is now held annually, gradually increasing in popularity and attendance. The events include the following: Mud Pit Belly Flop. Seed Spitting Contest, Hubcap Hurl, Armpit Serenade, Bobbin' for Pig's Feet and Redneck Horseshoes in which toilet seats instead of horseshoes are the objects thrown. (I'm sure the Armpit Serenade is just lovely). Running of the Nudes -- This race has been designed as an alternative to the Pamplona Running of the Bulls to draw attention to the horrific plight of bulls and the barbarity involved in bullfights. (I'm told the Running of the Nudes has more spectators than the event featuring running bulls.) Stair Climbing -- Stair Climbing Races are held around the world, but one closer to home is the Empire State Run-Up held in New York every year. The runners can run up the 1,430 steps in about 10 minutes, only a little slower than the elevator. (I might make the first 30 steps, then I would let someone else finish the remaining 1,400). Worm Charming -- The sport of worm charming (also known as worm grunting and worm fiddling) is very simple. Each competitor gets a patch of ground and a certain amount of time to bring as many worms to the surface as they can. Competitors can use just about any method they wish, though be warned -- the use of dishwashing detergent has been banned. The annual World Worm Charming Championships are held in the village of Willaston, near Nantwich, Cheshire. In this competition, each team gets 3-meter-square plot and has 30 minutes to charm as many worms as they can. (I have no idea what one does to charm a worm). Shin Kicking -- Shin kicking is an ancient sport, part of the annual Cotswold Olimpicks. The aim of shin kicking is simple: Kick your opponent as hard as you can in the shins. Each time your opponent falls to the ground you earn a point. The winner is the person with the highest score in the best of three rounds. (You've got to be kidding.) I'm sure there are many, many more sports you and I would consider strange. But then I remember Andy Griffith's old routine about a "country boy" describing the first football game he ever saw. What we consider normal is probably strange to someone else. COOPERS HILL is where competitors hurl themselves down a near vertical slope in pursuit of a Double Gloucester cheese during the 2005 "Cheese Rolling and Wake" in Gloucestershire, England. The annual tradition, thought to date back to Roman times, draws competitors from far and wide to chase a seven-pound Double Gloucester cheese 200 yards. Injuries are commonplace, forcing the cancellation of the event in the past. The reward for the winner: they get to take home the cheese. of the ring wins. (Don't think obstacles. The prize to the I could get my wife to go with winner is a mobile phone, and more importantly the winme to one of these). Extreme Ironing -- People ner would also win his wife's who play this unusual sport weight in beer. (There was a go to a remote location and kid in my dorm in college that iron clothes! They call them- would have tried this, or anyselves "ironists" and get a thing else, as long as beer was thrill from taking their iron- the prize.) Gurning -- Gurning is ing board, unplugged iron and some of their wrinkly clothes apparently a word for disto some extreme places and torting one's face to look as photograph themselves doing ridiculous as possible. and it. Such places that they have there is, believe it or not, a reached include extreme World Gurning Contest. Gurnaltitude, underwater, hang- ing competitions are thought ing from cliffs and on top of to have originated in 1297 at vehicles. (And they say that the Egremont Crab Fair, in the UK, named after the crab ironing is a lost art.) Wife Carrying -- The Finn- apple, which are pretty sour. It ish Wife Carrying Festival is makes sense then that as part held annually in early July, of "Crab Fair" in this part of and requires a man to negoti- the world they hold competiate a 253-meter course while tions to see who can make the carrying his wife on his back. ugliest face. This must be easiThe course includes various er for some, though they make surfaces and getting through it easier by requiring you to dry land and water-based also wear a horse collar at the AN AUSTRALIAN dunny, one that has been used in the annual Dunny Derby. THIS GUY is good at what he does. He is a one-time world champion gurner. Wonder if he auditioned for the role of "Popeye"? PART OF some gurning competition involves wearing a horse collar, which this contestant is clearly doing. GORDON MATTINSON from Cumbria, England has won the world gurning championship title 10 times. IN FINLAND, competitors like above, see who can carry their wives (or someone else's wife, the rules aren't that specific) through an obstacle course the fastest. PAGE 8-C�THE PONCA CITY NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 135th Annual Ponca Powwow PRIZE MONEY of $5 is paid out to tiny tot contestants by Ponca Powwow committee member Chris LittleCook. (News Photo by Rolf Clements) THE COLORS are retired at the end of the Saturday afternoon program at the South Arena by members of American Legion L.S. Buffalo Post 38 during the 135th Ponca Powwow. (News Photo by Rolf Clements) SAVANNAH WATERS, right, the 2011-2012 Ponca tribal princess poses with outgoing 2010-2011 princess Ryan Gomez at the 135th Ponca Powwow at White Eagle Park. Waters, 16, is a junior at Owasso High School where she is on the basketball team, competes in both shotput and discus, is a member of the student council and participates in the Native American student organization. She is the daughter of Kim and Joe Don Waters Sr. Savannah will serve the coming year as a goodwill ambassador for the Ponca people. (News Photo by Rolf Clements) BARBARA WILSON, left, and her daughter Judy Wilson, dance at the 135th Ponca Powwow at White Eagle Park. (News Photo by Rolf Clements) POWWOW DANCERS Jeremy Williams, Caesar Williams and Janice Williams are shown seated on benches surrounding the North Arena at White Eagle Park during the 135th Ponca Powwow. (News Photo by Rolf Clements) Receive $5 in Free Play* when you sign up for The Club *Must become a new Club member to be eligible. We're giving you two chances to win a 2011 Kawasaki� F360 ATV. Imagine the fun on this extreme machine! See The Club booth or visit TonkawaCasino.com for more information. 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