Check Out http://www.google.com/pacman/

Now you can play Pacman while Googling...at http://www.google.com/pacman/

Women's Leadership Initiative Event Great Fun Today

I attended a fundraiser/celebration for the Women's Leadership Initiative this afternoon at The Faculty House in Oklahoma City. The invitation included the following text:

Did you know? Over the past 3 decades women in the  U.S. have tripled their presence in state legislatures. Unfortunately, OKLAHOMA HAS NOT KEPT PACE and is, in fact, experiencing decline. Oklahoma RANKS 49TH in the nation for women serving in the state legislature

This event was co-sponsored by Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins, US Congresswoman Mary Fallin (who spoke at the event), and Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson.

The Women's Leadership Initiative at the Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center at the University of Oklahoma is a statewide, non-partisan leadership program working to inspire women and girls to become leaders in public service and elective office. WLI is an educational initiative and makes no financial contributions to candidates.

The first picture below includes the new coordinator of Oklahoma's National Education for Women's Leadership program, Sheryl Lovelady. The second includes Congresswoman Mary Fallin (left) and beside her is Women's Leadership Initiative founder (and Norman Mayor) (and Director of the Carl Albert Center) (and University of Oklahoma Political Science professor) - the remarkable Dr. Cindy Simon Rosenthal.

This was a lovely gathering with lots of wonderful women leaders. Congratulations to all of the graduates of  NEW Leadership 2010.

Disclaimer: I was the first coordinator of NEW Leadership and now serve on the Advisory Board.

Ta Da -- My ZOMM Arrived & Is Totally Cool

Yippee. My ZOM came today; that was fast! I'm surprised at how little it is. Here are headings in the Quick Start Guide:

Using the ZOOM
Managing calls
Using the PANIC alarm
Placing an Emergency Call
Activating/Upgrading the ZOMM
and more!

I LOVE LAURIE PENIX AND MY (HER) ZOMM

I have been lusting for a ZOMM ever since it was introduced at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show back in January. Yesterday I learned through TWIT.TV's Daily Giz Wiz show that it was for sale. I immediately orderEd one for myself. What is it and why would I spent $96.52 including  shipping on it?

It is a "wireless leash" that connects me to my cellphone. I have "lost" (misplaced) my iPhone twice. Both times it eventually was found (ie, not stolen --Thank you, God!). But both times I was reminded of (a) how expensive the thing is to replace, (2) how much personal info it has on it that I do NOT want to share with a burgler and (3) how attached I am to the stupid thing! With my new Zomm, I'll never lose or misplace my cellphone again! The ZOMM can be can be clipped to a purse or keychain and also works as a hands-free speakerphone and a panic alarm. How cool is THAT?  As their sales copy says,

When activated, your ZOMM alerts you anytime your phone is more than 30 feet away. Using Bluetooth technology, ZOMM will vibrate, flash and sound an alarm letting you know that you are leaving your phone behind. No more leaving your phone on airplanes, in taxicabs, restaurants or movie theaters.

But here is the BEST PART: it is the brain child of Tulsa entreprenur Laurie Penix; check her out here:

ZOMM Co-Founder and Mompreneur: Laurie Penix's Story from Laurie Penix on Vimeo.

Read Why Jason Calacanis Deleted His Facebook Page

Read his post at http://calacanis.com/2010/05/21/im-deleting-my-facebook-page-today/

Is Facebook Disabling Accounts that Threaten to Quit Facebook? Yup

FM radio station KNOI posted on their Facebook account they were disturbed about Facebook's privacy policy and mentioned that "The Tech Guy" Leo LaPorte  on TWIT.TV has quit Facebook in protest. Surprise (NOT), they found their Facebook account had been disabled. Yes, it is a private company, but now Facebook has shown it doesn't care about your privacy nor does it respect freedom of speech!  Read about it here: Radio Station Facebook Page Disabled for Criticism of Facebook Policies!

Lot's of us have pledged to quit Facebook on May 31. Read why at  http://www.quitfacebookday.com/

Facebook makes it HARD; learn how at http://www.wikihow.com/Permanently-Delete-a-Facebook-Account

CA-125 Change Over Time Shows Promise as Screening Tool for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer

Check out Ovarian Cancer Research Fund for exciting news. Here is the beginning of the story:

Evaluating its change over time, CA-125, the protein long-recognized for predicting ovarian cancer recurrence, now shows promise as a screening tool for early-stage disease, according to researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

The findings were presented today by Karen Lu, M.D., professor in MD Anderson's Department of Gynecologic Oncology, in advance of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting. If a larger study shows survival benefit, the simple blood test could offer a much-needed screening tool to detect ovarian cancer in its early stages - even in the most aggressive forms - in post-menopausal women at average risk for the disease.

More at http://www.ocrf.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=663&catid=1&Itemid=241

Oklahoma HB 2998 on Incarcerated Women Going Back to Senate

Legislation to Keep Non-violent Parents out of Prison, with Family Passes House

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 20, 2010) — Legislation creating a pilot program that establishes reentry and diversion programs to allow non-violent offender parents to receive community-based services in lieu of incarceration unanimously passed the House today.

House Bill 2998, by Rep. Kris Steele, would encourage re-entry and diversion programs as opposed to jail time for non-violent offenders who are the primary caregivers to minor children. The change would allow them to receive rehabilitative services while maintaining contact with their children.

Oklahoma incarcerates more women—who often serve as the lone caregiver in the home—than any other state in the nation. The incarceration rate for women is 131 per 100,000 residents, almost twice the national average of 69 per 100,000.

Most women prison inmates, 68 percent, are in prison for non-violent offenses.
“This is a pro-family bill that is smart on crime and will give parents a chance to receive community-based rehabilitative services that have proven effective while staying in contact with their children,” said Steele, R-Shawnee. “This legislation will help reduce the high number of incarcerated women in our state while also helping to keep families together.”

The bill passed the House with a vote of 90-0 and will now return to the Senate for final consideration.

Sourxe. Jennifer Monies, Press Secretary, OK House of reps.

---

NOTE: This bill emposers the program; a separate appropriation is also needed to get this excellent program up and running. J W

Oklahoma's HB 2596 Creates EMPOWER-OK program for seniors, disabled

HB2596: Cash & Counseling by Morrissette on Its Way To The Governor


(Oklahoma City, OK) Moments ago, Oklahoma joined 15 other states to adopt Cash & Counseling, the self-directed nursing care program for seniors and the disabled, as the House of Representatives passed HB2596 with only one dissenting vote.

EMPOWER-OK, as the program shall be known, will be available immediately, overseen in Oklahoma by the OK Health Care Authority.

“It’s been a good day for seniors and the disabled in the House…in addition to Cash & Counseling, other important legislation to improve the status of the most vulnerable among us was addressed today in the reform of “Focus on Excellence” and other measures that I have been privileged to work on this session.” said Morrissette.

“I want to thank the AARP, the Silver Haired Legislators and the Oklahoma Alliance on Aging, among others, who supported this bill throughout the process. I am also grateful to Sen. Coates, my principal Senate author, as well as all of those who signed on as co-authors from the House and Senate.

“I want Oklahomans to know that I will continue to work to protect seniors and the disabled, to include essential food distribution programs.” concluded Rep. Morrissette.

Source. Oklahoma Rep. Richard Morrissette (District 92)

Debby Kaspari Tells Her Tornado Story

Here is Norman artist Debby Kaspari's tornado story. Now I want "a sturdy steel box installed in the garage floor," too!

1.) http://ccfinorman.blogspot.com/

and

2.) http://drawingthemotmot.wordpress.com/2010/05/18/a-most-unearthly-sound/

Swimming Pool Demonstrates Power of Sunday's Hail Storm

If I had a swimming pool, the videos on the link below would reflect what was happening in MY back yard last night, too! Check it out --> http://www.koco.com/weather/23582419/detail.html

Live Near OU? Volunteer with Center for Children & Families, Inc!

The Center for Children and Families, Inc. in Norman, Oklahoma needs volunteers this summer! They need your help in getting the word out about some great opportunities to work with children, youth, and families. Please circulate this information to your network of friends/colleagues to encourage potential volunteers to attend CCFI's Volunteer Meet and Learn event on May 19th to learn more volunteer opportunities at CCFI.

What type of volunteer positions are available? They are currently looking for volunteers for Neighborhood Centers (summer youth enrichment program offered in the Wilson and Kennedy elementary schools), Trauma Focused Services, Parents Assistance and in their front office. Go and learn more!

CCFI’s Volunteer Meet and Learn event is Wednesday, May 19th, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m., at their offices - 1151 E. Main St. in Norman. Click here to RSVP: http://www.ccfinorman.org/volunteer-meet-and-learn/.
Interested volunteers can also call the CCFI offices (405-364-1420) at any time to learn more.

You can read their blog at www.ccfinorman.blogspot.com

Federal Bill HR 5137 Addresses Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Equality Now has just issued an urgent alert - Stop FGM in the United States: Support the Girls Protection Act.

Evidently, the 1996 US federal law prohibiting the performance of FGM within the US did not address the common situation where girls are taken to their countries of origin to be subjected to FGM. The Crowley-Bono Mack "Girls Protection Act" (H.R. 5137) introduced on April 26, 2010 aims to close this loophole. Equality Now asks that we all send a letter urging our US Representative to support H.R. 5137.

Learn more here: http://equalitynow.org/english/takeaction/newsalert/urgentalert_crowleymack_201005_en.html

Take action here: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6208/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=3080

Technology Makes Women Happy

This was posted by Annie Colbert to Holy Kaw! If you don't follow ALLTOP, check it out.

Reason #47289 to love technology: researchers in England have found that access to communication gadgets and technology increases happiness and the feeling of well-being, especially for women. The study involved 35,000 people around the globe and discovered that the use of information technology had an “enabling and empowering role,” which in turn led to higher “life satisfaction.”

Psychologist Donna Dawson chimed in on the results: “Through giving us choices, allowing us access to information, and putting us in touch with others, IT can increase feelings of security, personal freedom and power, which together give us greater life satisfaction. This is especially true for women, who are usually at the hub of social communications in their families, societies and work. Social networking and gathering information online can help women to successfully juggle and manage all the different roles that fill their lives.”

You can read the full story at Telegraph UK.

Movie "Footloose" Inspired by Elmore, Oklahoma Prom

"Footloose" has always been one of my favorite teen movies. All that happy dancing at the end with Kevin Bacon leading the way! Well, imagine my surprise to learn that the movie was inspired by a real incident that took place in Elmore, Oklahoma! Yup. Check out this April 16, 2010 Oklahoman article entitled "Elmore City re-creates prom that inspired 'Footloose' film: Okies say they weren’t as fancy free as ‘footloose’ characters." The city celebrated the 30th anniversary of the first prom on April 17. At the url above you can also watch a video featuring (to quote the NewsOK website) "Mary Ann Temple-Lee and Leonard Coffee (who) were high school sweethearts and junior class officers who campaigned for Elmore City High School’s first prom in 1980. They inspired the principal characters of the 1984 hit movie "Footloose.” They will be the guests of honor and parade marshals Saturday at an event celebrating the 30th anniversary of the first prom."

Oklahoma allows insurance companies to consider domestic abuse a preexisting condition (but not for long?)

OKLAHOMA CITY – Minority Floor Leader Mike Brown praised the House passage of legislation to prevent the practice of denying coverage to victims of domestic violence.

“Domestic violence can be brutal and deadly and often results in a need for a prompt medical response,” Brown, D-Tahlequah, said. “I was proud to see fellow lawmakers pass this legislation that ensures the victims of such violence get the treatment that they need.”

Senate Bill 1251, by state Sen. Jim Wilson (D-Tahlequah) and Brown, prohibits health benefit plans from denying coverage, refusing to renew, or cancelling a person’s health benefit plan on the basis of that person’s status as a victim of domestic abuse. The legislation also states that domestic abuse shall not be considered a preexisting condition.

There were more than 23,000 reports of domestic violence in Oklahoma in 2008, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Brown said that despite that tragic fact, Oklahoma is one of only eight states to allow health insurance companies to consider one’s status as a victim of domestic violence when deciding whether to issue a policy or pay a claim.

“Insurance companies frequently find convoluted reasons for denying coverage to those who need it most,” Brown said. “This legislation increases the protection Oklahomans have from seeing their claims denied through some arbitrary rule. Domestic violence is a problem in the state and one that should not preclude anyone from prompt and affordable medical treatment.”

Senate Bill 1251 passed the House unanimously and returns to the Senate.

Source. State Rep. Mike Brown
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Interestingly, today is Domestic Violence Awareness Day at the State Capitol - lots of people lobbying their legislators on programs and proposals to reduce domestic violence in Oklahoma. This bill won't do anything about THAT but at least the victim isn't going to be re-victimized by an insurance company after the fact if this bill clears both chambers and is signed by Governor Henry!

Matt McKeon, Kurt Opsahl confirm my concern about Facebook (lack of ) Privacy

There is nothing like a good visual to make the point that Facebook is sharing more and more of our data with the world! View Matt McKeon's excellent blog post HERE. (click on the dates on the right to watch the privacy of your data erode away completely!) His conclusion:

Facebook has... changed how your personal information is classified several times, sometimes in a manner that has been confusing for their users. This has largely been part of Facebook's effort to correlate, publish, and monetize their social graph: a massive database of entities and links that covers everything from where you live to the movies you like and the people you trust.

Also check out Kurt Opsahl's blog post entitled "Facebook's Eroding Privacy Policy: A Timeline." Here is HIS conclusion:

Facebook originally earned its core base of users by offering them simple and powerful controls over their personal information. As Facebook grew larger and became more important, it could have chosen to maintain or improve those controls. Instead, it's slowly but surely helped itself — and its advertising and business partners — to more and more of its users' information, while limiting the users' options to control their own information.

House Approves Abortion Statistics Bill

With only weeks to go, the Oklahoma Legislature is still not ready to consider how to deal with the $1.2 BILLION shortfall in the state budget, but they have time to pass yet another abortion bill. House Bill 3284, according to a press release from State Rep Pam Peterson, will

enhance reporting of abortions in Oklahoma and any resulting complications. The information will be used to inform public policy decisions in the future.

“Abortion is the most under-regulated, under-investigated and under-researched procedure performed on women, and yet it’s one of the most common and potentially dangerous to their health,” said state Rep. Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa. “Reducing the number of abortions is something even abortion advocates say they want, so what better way to achieve that goal than to really learn why women feel that abortion is their only option?”

House Bill 3284, by Peterson, creates the Statistical Abortion Reporting Act and requires physicians who perform abortions to report certain information to the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The bill directs the department to publish annual statistical reports on its website.

“The annual report will contain absolutely no personally indentifying information – only statistics,” Peterson said. “The purpose of this law is to identify and address the underlying problems that cause women to have abortions, not to identify any individual woman.”
The legislation specifically declares that state reports cannot contain the name, address, hometown, county of residence, or any other identifying information of any individual female.

The clinic questionnaire would include information on basic demographics, age of the child aborted, methods used, the reasons given for obtaining an abortion, and resulting complications.

“Currently, statistics on abortion complications are not available,” Peterson said. “The abortion provider is clearly not motivated to provide that information and when there are complications, the provider typically has that information sealed from public view through a court settlement. It’s time to test the claim that abortion is ‘safe.’”

The question asking the reasons given for an abortion was based on a survey conducted by the Guttmacher Institute, the former research division of Planned Parenthood.

“To develop better public policies that will help women facing unplanned pregnancies, we need to obtain better information,” Peterson said.

House Bill 3284 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on a bipartisan 88-8 vote. It now proceeds to the state Senate.

I Hate Cancer

I currently have eight people on my prayer list who are ill. Seven of them have cancer; one is facing back surgery. That's a lot of cancer. Would someone please find the break through discovery to cure cancer?!

Bill Passes Requiring Insurance Companies to Fully Cover Cost of Mammograms

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Brad Henry signed into law Senate Bill 2054 Friday. The new law, authored by Senator Bill Brown, requires private insurance plans to fully cover the price of mammograms for women over 35.

“I commend the Governor, the Oklahoma Legislature and Oklahoma health insurers for promoting the early detection of breast cancer through their support and passage of this important piece of legislation,” said Commissioner Kim Holland. “Every year women die from this dreadful disease, and we know that early detection is key to saving lives.”

Insured women 35 through 39 will now be able to receive a mammogram at no cost once every five years and those 40 and over will be able to receive a fully covered screening annually.

Previously state law required insurers to cover only the first $115 of the cost of a mammography screening for women age 35 and older, leaving many with prohibitive out of pocket costs. The Oklahoma Association of Health Plans, working with Commissioner Holland and Senator Brown, recommended removing the cap to ensure that financial barriers will not prevent women from obtaining this life-saving examination.

Source. Press release from the office of Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland

New Oklahoma Women Bloggers

Just added Suzy's Cleaning Services blog and Living With Grace to the list of blogs I follow.  Living With Grace is particularly amazing; I highly recommend it!

Tell the American Academy of Pediatrics to REVERSE its endorsement of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Equality Now Executive Director Taina Bien-Aimé has just published a
piece in the Huffington Post about the American Academy of Pediatrics' Policy Statement that endorses a form of female genital mutilation. This is outrageous and must be reversed!

Click here to learn more about Equality Now's campaign. Please submit your own comment to the American Academy of Pediatrics asking them to remove the promotion of FGM in their Policy Statement, by clicking here now! 


This image is of a t-shirt -  hanging on a clothes line (it is upside down) - that we encountered in Kenya in 2005. It was the beginning of my realization that girls around the world but especially in Africa are forced to undergo this horrific procedure - often against their will (while adults sit on their chest and legs to keep them from defending themselves).

Norman artist Debby Kaspari's home destroyed by tornado tonight

Tonight Oklahoma got hit by tornadoes.  Many homes were destroyed, buildings were torn apart, cars got tossed about.  Sadly three were killed in Tecumseh and another two died in Choctaw. Tens of thousands are without power.

Debby and Mike Kaspari are just one story among many, many today in Oklahoma. Their home was destroyed by a tornado this afternoon but, thank God, they came out of the experience safe and sound.

Debby's art is amazing and it makes me sick to realize that much of it may now be scattered across Central Oklahoma. You can see some of her wonderful work on her blog Drawing the Motmot. Debby is @DAMotmot on Twitter and is also on Facebook.

Please keep the Kasparis and the many other Oklahomans touched by the tornadoes tonight in your prayers.

Book - Influence: How Women’s Soaring Economic Power Will Transform Our World For The Better

Maddy Dychtwald has a book out entitled "Influence: How Women’s Soaring Economic Power Will Transform Our World For The Better." I hope she is right that women may be the largest change agent of the 21st century.  Read Matthew E. May’s interview with Dychtwald.

Ready for a Professional & Personal Development Retreat? Check out I3Events.

I3Events, a division of Integrated Concepts, Inc., is launching the Seasons of
Hope Retreat Series and invite you to participate.

Vision: To effectuate positive transformation and growth in accordance

with natural law while honoring, conserving, and protecting the Earth.

Schedule

“ Finding The Real I ”

Season One – Foundation – 11-12 June 2010
Laying the foundation for change through acknowledgement of an
opportunity for growth and preparing to take action to embrace the
opportunity.

Season Two – Transition – 30-31 July 2010
Refining and implementing the plan of action necessary to embrace
the opportunity for growth.

Season Three – Realization – 24-25 September 2010
Sustaining the new action through gathering more information,
learning new skills, and exercising these elements. Opening up
minds for new experiences that will evolve into extended patterns of
behavior increasing the individuals’ mental, physical, emotional, and
spiritual flexibility.

Season Four – Integration -- 17-18 December 2010
Completely integrating the newly acquired patterns of being, thinking, and acting.
Accepting the new behaviors as routine and laying the foundation to embrace the next opportunity for growth.

Sounds good doesn't it?! You can learn more at http://www.i3events.com/

Event, June 2-4, Tulsa: National Symposium on Reconciliation in America: Moving Beyond Racial Violence

National Symposium: "Reconciliation in America: Moving Beyond Racial Violence"
June 2-4, 2010

This Symposium will bring together eminent scholars and practitioners from throughout the nation to explore the current academic research and community projects that address the American history of racial violence and the potential for reconciliation. Presented by the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation
[learn more]

WPA Exhibit at Fred Jones Jr Art Museum at OU

Kudos to the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. We saw their "WPA - Revisiting the New Deal: Government Patronage and the Fine Arts, 1933-1943" exhibit  yesterday. Below is what the museum had to say about the exhibit on their website. (I'm taking the liberty of cutting and pasting because the exhibit comes down tomorrow has been extended until May 20).

During the Great Depression, the administration of FranklinD.Roosevelt offered a New Deal to the American people to help alleviatethe economic turmoil of the 1930s. The federal government extendedeconomic relief and economic opportunity to American artists under itsvarious programs: the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP, 1933-34); theTreasury Department’s Section of Fine Arts (1934-43); the TreasuryRelief Art Project (TRAP, 1935-39); and the Federal Art Project(FAP,1935-43).Artists produced thousands of easel paintings, prints,and posters,much of which was dispersed to museums and culturalinstitutions in the1940s. The art museum at the University of Oklahomareceived a sizeable number of works of art under the efforts of OscarB. Jacobson, who had acted as a supervisor for TRAP in 1935.

Respect Diversity Exhibit at Science Museum OK thru May 13

The 2010 Respect Diversity exhibit at Science Museum Oklahoma is closing after 2 months on May 13.

If you have a chance, I'd recommend you get by and look at it. This is a fabulous effort - students around the state using art to think about diversity. Here are just a few of the entries this year.

For more information, contact

Joan Korenblit, Executive Director Respect Diversity Foundation (405) 359-0369 E-mail: rdfrdf@cox.net Respect Diversity Foundation (RDF) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) non-partisan educational foundation that teaches tolerance for all people.

All Things Considered Offering "Truckstop Rescue Training Program" May 22nd

All Things New, Inc is offering a "Truckstop Rescue Training Program" on May 22, 2010 from 2:00 until 5:00pm at 136 NW 10th Oklahoma City,Oklahoma.

This is a program being implemented by All Things New to rescue women and children who are victims of sex trafficking/prostitution at truckstops. Our first session will include viewing the documentary "Very Young Girls" and a time of teaching on how to pray over the truckstops and the victims.

Everyone who wants to attend this meeting must fill out an application and go through a thorough background check and vetting process.

Email allthingsnew09@yahoo.com for the application and Code of Conduct.

All applications must be received by May 12, 2010.

Premiere Screening of Movie "Pearl" in Moore, Oklahoma

Last night I got to attend the screening of the movie "Pearl" -- the true story of the youngest licensed pilot in American history. Filmed in Oklahoma, produced by the Chickasaw Nation and media 13 it is a movie for all ages. Here are a few pics from the event. The women are (left to right) Oklahoma State Representative Lisa Billy, Oklahoma attorney Lindsay Archer and Oklahoma State Representative Lee Denney.

U.S. drops to 49th for women's mortality rate

In 1990, the United States ranked 34th in the world in female mortality and 41st in male mortality, but by 2010, it had dropped in the rankings to 49th for women and 45th for men.

This puts it behind all of Western Europe and lower-income countries such as Chile, Tunisia, and Albania.

That's according to the most comprehensive assessment to date of global adult mortality. Overall, women have seen their health improve more than men have. In the 40 years between 1970 and 2010, adult mortality fell by 34 percent in women and 19 percent in men globally. The gap between adult male and female mortality widened by 27 percent in that period.

Other key findings:
• The lowest risk of death in adults was recorded in Iceland (men) and Cyprus (women).
• Mortality rates for men and women in 37 countries are higher in 2010 than they were in 1990.

Full story at Futurity.

Source: AllTop (Guy Kawasaki)  http://holykaw.alltop.com/us-drops-to-49th-for-womens-mortality-rate

Learn about National Women's Health Week (May 9-15)

The 11th annual National Women's Health Week (NWHW) will kick off on Mother's Day, May 9, 2010 and will be celebrated until May 15, 2010. NWHW empowers women to make their health a top priority. With the theme It's Your Time, the nationwide initiative encourages women to take simple steps for a longer, healthier, and happier life. Important steps include:

• Getting at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous physical activity, or a combination of both each week
• Eating a nutritious diet
• Visiting a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings
• Avoiding risky behaviors, such as smoking and not wearing a seatbelt
• Paying attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress

Please share the message of "Its your time" with other women in your organization. Send friends a free e-Card. Exercise more, eat better, manage stress and be informed of women's issues.

Find NWHW Events in Your Area!

http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/events

Open Gun Carry Approved (another nail in the coffin of OK economic development)

Once again the rest of the world - via CNN, et al - is about to have a good laugh at Oklahoma's expense. And you wonder why businesses don't want to expand into our state! Such a lovely place to raise your kids (unless of course you actually want to take them out in public and let them be terrorized by gun toting Okies). 

Again, our legislature has officially declare that OKLAHOMA = VIOLENCE and VIOLENCE  IS OKAY in Oklahoma. Strap YOUR guns on folks and let the world know we resolve issues the old fashion way. 

Where are the chambers of commerce on this issue? Is this REALLY the message/image that  Oklahoma wants to send out to prospective new businesses? "Yee hah, bring it on. My guns bigger than your gun and I can prove it -- because it's right here -- strapped to my thigh."

-------------

OKLAHOMA CITY – State lawmakers voted today to allow Oklahomans with a handgun license to openly carry their weapon.

“The best offense is a good defense,” said state Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs. “The most effective way to deter criminals is to let them know immediately that they will face lethal resistance if they attempt to commit a crime.”

House Bill 3354, by Duncan, would Oklahomans to openly carry a weapon if they have obtained a handgun license/concealed carry permit.

“This legislation should actually reduce the chance of violence,” Duncan said. “A criminal is far less likely to attack once he sees a citizen is armed.”

Duncan noted concealed carry license holders have a proven track record of behaving responsibly. State records show that nearly 36,000 concealed carry licenses were issued in 2009 and just 105 licenses were revoked that year. Nearly 97,000 Oklahomans currently have a concealed carry permit.

“The average citizen can clearly be trusted to handle a firearm responsibly when it is concealed,” said Duncan, an attorney. “Why would we expect that to change if they are allowed to openly carry? It is clear that you can trust the average Oklahoman to behave responsibly.”

House Bill 3354 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on a 74-24 vote today. It now proceeds to the governor.

Source. Email press release from Oklahoma State Legislature, Attn: State Rep. Rex Duncan - Capitol phone = (405) 557-7344

The Creative World Forum in Coming to Oklahoma

The Creativity World Forum will be held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, November 15-17, 2010 at the Cox Convention Center. Explore for more information!

Yes! For the first time ever, a conference specifically focused on creativity, will be held in Oklahoma. "Why in Oklahoma?" you ask. Here are just a few reasons:

* Oklahoma has been named "The State of Creativity" by Sir Ken Robinson (an internationally recognized leader in the development of creativity and innovation).

* Because of the land run in 1889, which placed people of different back grounds, right next to each other making them come up and combine with new ideas to live on our land.

* Because our native son John Bennett Herrington, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, was the first Native American in space.

* Also, because more astronauts were born in Oklahoma than any other state.

* Oklahoma based oil company Kerr McGee transformed oil exploration with the first offshore drilling rig.

* Because the nation's largest independent natural gas and oil producer, Devon Energy is located in the heart of our state.

* Because Oklahoma is the ONLY North American member of Districts of Creativity, a collection of the world's foremost regions on creativity and innovation.