Community

When it comes to Oklahoma legends, T. Boone Pickens ranks at the top, with Will Rogers and Wiley Post. In very few words, he cut to the core and real truth of an issue.

He was one of the most innovative Oklahomans. He changed an entire industry on a global scale.

His philanthropic giving that blessed thousands of people will be hard to top. He graciously opened his beautiful Mesa Vista Ranch to many, in order to promote bird hunting, and fortunately, I had the privilege to experience Mesa Vista during Labor Day weekend. Mr. Pickens, Oklahoma thanks you!

– Brenda Jones Barwick, APR, Jones PR

No matter what grades your kids are in, it’s important the whole family prepares for the back-to-school transition.

Quick tips:

1. Everyone (including parents) get to bed earlier.

2. Prep and freeze lunches now.

3. Set up a designated homework area.

4. Start meal planning and get a few “quick” meals ready for busy nights (we suggest trying Easy Freezy).

5. Encourage kids to create five to eight outfits that they can easily put on, as those first few days back are always the hardest.

6. Check the school’s supply list to make sure your kids are set.

– Taylor Ketchum, Jones PR

The most common question I get these days seems to be, “what’s going on in Oklahoma City?” The answer: “How much time do you have?”

The city’s changing, and there has never been a more optimistic time in OKC. From new real estate opportunities and restaurants to people moving into the metro, change is now constant.

The streetcar just began operations, Scissortail Park opens soon, the convention center and Omni Hotel will be here next year. But already, people are asking, “what’s next?”

With MAPS conversations starting, Mayor Holt and the council will soon have some difficult decisions to make.

– Mick Cornett, Jones PR

Are you interested in catching a glimpse of Bigfoot? Visit Broken Bow, located in southeast Oklahoma, and join the thousands of tourists who enjoy a good Sasquatch hunt every year.

There are plenty of roadside shops in town selling products ranging from Bigfoot T-shirts and hats to yard signs and bath bombs, so even if you don’t catch a real sighting, you can go home with some nice souvenirs.

The most common Bigfoot sightings happen after the sun has set, and Bigfoot field investigators use nutty bars and marbles to draw him in. Are you up for the hunt?

– Carolyn Taylor, Jones PR

Buddhist monk Sutham Nateetong, a former education minister in his native Thailand, is walking Route 66 for peace. He began his journey in California and recently arrived in Yukon, Oklahoma. Tired of political infighting, Nateetong chose to become a monk to send loving ideas to everyone.

He walks about 30 miles per day, and many people buy his lunch or dinner. “In Oklahoma, some days are very windy, many rains, but I keep going,” he said.

After he reaches Chicago, where Route 66 ends, Nateetong plans to continue walking to New York. Read more about his journey in iON Oklahoma.

– Brenda Jones Barwick, APR, Jones PR

Located off Memorial and Meridian, Martin Park Nature Center offers an escape from Oklahoma City with guided hikes, educational programs and an interactive nature learning center for people of all ages.

The park features a picnic pavilion, nearly three miles of woodland trails, a visitor center with live animals and a learning library. It also has a nature-themed playground for children to play and explore.

The park is open 5 a.m.-9 p.m. daily until Sept. 30, so head out this summer and enjoy this hidden gem in Oklahoma City.

Plan your visit and learn more here.

– Nicona Lane, Jones PR

Many of our fellow Oklahomans have been impacted by record flooding and tornadoes across the state. Here are a few ways you can get involved in relief and restoration efforts:

• Supply donations can be taken to the El Reno VFW (1515 S. Rock Island) and The Shepherd’s House in El Reno (321 S. Choctaw Ave). Needed items include blankets, diapers, sleeping bags and water.

• Donate to the city of El Reno’s GoFundMe page.

• Donate to the Salvation Army online, by phone at 800-725-2769 or by texting STORM to 51555.

• If you are seeking shelter, visit the Red Cross online, call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or download the free Red Cross Emergency App. To make a $10 donation, text the word REDCROSS to 90999.

• Get involved with Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief.

Report property damage online or by calling 211 to help local and state emergency managers coordinate response and recovery efforts. To request help with cleanup, call 800-451-1954 to be connected with vetted relief organizations. All services are free, but service is not guaranteed due to the anticipated overwhelming need.

– Andrew Aston, Jones PR

There are many free things to do this summer in Oklahoma. Check out this roundup of some fun things to do for family outings, date night or pretty much any weekend:

1. The Gathering Place in Tulsa – fun for the whole family.

2. Express Clydesdales ranch in Yukon – see some local giants.

3. Black Mesa Nature Preserve in the Oklahoma Panhandle – hike to the summit of Oklahoma’s highest peak.

4. CPN Balloon Festival in Shawnee on Aug. 9-10 – balloons fill the sky at this annual event.

5. Wheeler District – neighborhood in Oklahoma City that features the iconic OKC letters.

– Nicona Lane, Jones PR

The end of a semester at many colleges and universities is capped by a ritual almost as iconic as the graduation ceremony: packing up and moving out. However, students tend to throw out good clothing and useful household items that could otherwise be donated to Goodwill.

When rummaging through your dorm room at the end of the semester, use a system to help you make decisions on what goes with you and what can be donated. Books, clothing, notebooks and décor are great examples of donations that Goodwill looks forward to seeing in its stores instead of the dumpster.

– Carolyn Taylor, Jones PR

The youngest in the millennial generation are now adults. How does this generation compare to young adults of other generations, like baby boomers and the silent generation?

Pew Research breaks down the comparison:

• They’re better educated. This factor is tied to employment and financial well-being.

• They’ve brought more racial and ethnic diversity to American society.

• Millennial women are more likely to work, with 73 percent employed today, compared to 40 percent of young women in 1966.

• Millennials are slower to form their own households. Less than half are married – a drop from 83 percent of silents married in 1968.

– Ashley Ross, Jones PR

Good Friday is a Christian holiday celebrated on the Friday before Easter Sunday. This year, Good Friday falls on April 19 and commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This day traditionally includes fasting and penance.

How will you spend Good Friday this year? Below is a list of ideas you can incorporate into your day:

• Visit your local church.

• Attend the Stations of the Cross.

• Go to, participate in or organize a Passion play.

• Fast or eat lightly throughout the day.

• Stop to pray at 3 p.m. – this is believed to be the time Jesus died on the cross.

– Carolyn Taylor, Jones PR

I’ve been in OKC now for about a month, and it has been a whirlwind. From new faces to new scenery, I’ve loved getting to know this city. In this small amount of time, here’s what I’ve learned:

1) Always leave early to be on time. Traffic can be tricky.

2) Oklahoma City is REALLY big. Go explore.

3) The local restaurants are the best in the Midwest.

After a month, I’ve learned to love my new city, and I can’t wait to keep exploring. If you find yourself with the opportunity to move to OKC, don’t pass it up.

– Daniel Seitz, Jones PR

March is just around the corner, and you know what that means – spring cleaning. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Make a system.

Getting organized is as easy as A-B-C … and D. This prioritization system can be easily incorporated into any household.

2. Reuse and recycle.

Give that old nightstand or lamp new life, with a fun DIY project.

3. Donate to Goodwill.

Take a look at your items, and make a pile for donations. Donating gently used items you no longer need allows other families the opportunity to shop at an affordable price.

– Carolyn Taylor, Jones PR

The chances are good that at some point in your life, you are going to have to make a big move. Whether it is for work or just a change of scenery, we all eventually have to leave our comfort zones. So what do you need to know before you start your journey?

1) Always have extra money saved.

2) View your apartment before signing a lease.

3) Research your brand-new city.

Don’t get stuck broke, with bed bugs, in unfamiliar surroundings. New moves should be exciting! Prepare ahead of time to avoid being part of a moving nightmare.

– Daniel Seitz, Jones PR

Deadlines come quicker than you think, but with an agenda on hand, you’ll never fall behind. See which agenda is right for you:

For money-saving queens

The Blue Sky Tabbed Planner won’t break the bank and features full monthly and weekly view pages for detailed planning.

For major organizers

The Panda Planner comes equipped with six info-packed e-books to help you succeed and quick videos on how to boost productivity.

For decorative workers

The Ultimate LifePlanner from Erin Condren will help your busy life stay intact and keep you looking classy, so you don’t miss a beat.

– Carolyn Taylor, Jones PR

New Year’s resolutions – hate them, love them? No matter what you feel, a new year has started, causing things such as the weather and health insurance coverage to change.

Here is a list of tasks that are non-traditional resolutions but can help kick-start a prosperous new year:

1. Book appointments: Dental cleanings, wellness checks, annual exams – get them on the calendar for the whole family.

2. Purchase birthday cards, and set calendar reminders to mail them to friends and family.

3. Renew your library card: Enhance your commute to work by downloading free audiobooks through your public library.

– Taylor Ketchum, Jones PR

Netflix launched a new series just in time for people to kick off their New Year’s resolutions. For some, a new year means “Tidying Up.” Marie Kondo welcomes eight couples to the Japanese way of decluttering that is based on her best-selling book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.”

The launch of the series has encouraged millions of people to “spark joy” and declutter their homes, igniting a rise in donations to thrift stores.

Kondo inspires everyone to appreciate items that bring joy rather than feel restricted by the unwanted items that consume negative space in their homes.

– Kristen Giroux, Jones PR

As a young professional who has been out of college for a year, I have noticed that my personal life has completely changed since jumping into the workforce. With 2019 around the corner, I’m striving to find a better balance between the workforce and personal goals. Here are some suggestions on how to do just that:

When you’re at work:

1. Set manageable goals.

2. Learn to say “no.”

3. Take a break.

When you’re at home:

1. Set your phone, laptop and other devices aside.

2. Don’t stretch your social schedule too thin.

3. Stay active.

4. Eat healthy.

– Nicona Lane, Jones PR

A new year means a new you, with less clutter. With the holiday season behind us, Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma is encouraging everyone to take a look around their home, attic, garage or office space and consider donating any clothing items kids have outgrown, toys they haven’t played with in months and any other items they won’t need in 2019.

Each donation will not only clear clutter in your home, but will also create job opportunities and fund meaningful programs that help many people in central Oklahoma, including veterans and military families, single mothers or fathers and young people.

– Ashley Ross, Jones PR

The Wellness Now Coalition, supported by the Oklahoma City-County Health Department, is a community-led coalition serving as the central point of planning from which partners work collectively to develop data-driven priorities, goals and objectives.

The coalition launched in 2010 with 300 members and partners. The coalition is comprised of eight groups addressing areas identified by the community. Priority areas include tobacco-use prevention, nutrition and physical activity, worksite wellness, mental health and addiction recovery, adolescent health, care coordination, faith-based wellness and equity. To learn more or have your business join the coalition, visit www.wellnessnowokc.org.

– Oklahoma City-County Health Department

Earth Day 2018 is dedicated to teaching individuals how they can end plastic pollution in their communities. From poisoning marine life to clogging our streams and landfills, the exponential growth of plastic pollution now threatens the health of our planet.

Since the first Earth Day almost fifty years ago, Earth Day Network has grown to one of the largest global environmental activist groups with over a billion participants annually.

Whether you are an individual, business leader or educator, find out what you can do to help reduce plastic pollution in your life this April 22 at https://www.earthday.org.

– Bret Buckel, The New Orleans 100

Are you an Oklahoma-based nonprofit looking for a Giving Tuesday digital fundraiser?

In honor of all that Oklahoma’s nonprofits do for our state, The Oklahoma 100 is preparing a special Giving Tuesday issue for these organizations to promote their fundraising pages and share the impact they have on the state. The special issue will be released Tuesday, Nov. 28.

The Oklahoma 100 is aiming to increase nonprofit fundraising efforts through digital giving. If you are interested in participating, please email editor@theoklahoma100.com for more information. You don’t want to miss out on sharing your story on Giving Tuesday!

– Holly Hoehner, Jones PR

If you are looking for other ways to give back this holiday season, think about donating your time. These local organizations are looking for volunteers to prepare and serve meals, teach educational classes and distribute clothing, among many other needs. Most organizations accept group volunteers, so grab your co-workers, friends and family to make a difference in your community this holiday season.

• Salvation Army Central Oklahoma

• Salvation Army Tulsa

• Jesus House

• Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma

• Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless

• HOPE Center of Edmond

• John 3:16 Mission

• City Rescue Mission

• Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma

– Holly Hoehner, Jones PR

Gov. Mary Fallin’s monthly column, “Oklahoma Now,” called on all Oklahomans to help fight hunger.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner, about 632,000 Oklahomans will face hunger. Most clients served by Oklahoma Food Banks are children, seniors on fixed incomes and hardworking families. The 7^th annual Governor’s Feeding Oklahoma Drive is underway and benefits the Regional Food Bank and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. Every dollar provides the equivalent of five meals and stays local.

To participate, visit feedingoklahoma.org or drop off non-perishable food at select BancFirst or Bob Moore Auto Group locations.

– Brenda Jones Barwick, APR, Jones PR

In Oklahoma, we’re anxious for the day rain finally comes. Thanks to Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc., we have one more reason.

In an effort to promote poetry, the organization partnered with Short Order Poems to create “Make It Rain Poems.” Poem topics were solicited from the public and written by local and national poets. By using stencils and a waterproof solution, the poems are only revealed when the sidewalk becomes wet from rain or when sprayed.

Remember to grab your rain boots and head down to one of many downtown locations to encounter a poetic surprise during the next downpour.

– Ashley Ross, Jones PR