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Buying local, eating fresh

Gov. Brad Henry

Friday, 07 August 2009
OKLAHOMA CITY–Gov. Brad Henry, D-Okla., issued the following column:

School may be starting soon, but summer is still in full-swing in farms and gardens around the state, giving everyone a great opportunity to enjoy wonderful, fresh meat, fruits and vegetables produced close to home.

Oklahoma is blessed with a long growing season each summer. Fresh tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, okra eggplant, watermelon and more are one of the great pleasures of a summer in Oklahoma. All this and more can be found in farmers’ markets around the state.

It’s no secret that many Oklahomans–like many other Americans–aren’t eating enough fruits and vegetables. That’s a shame; this time of year, nothing tastes better than food straight from your garden or a local farm.

Buying local food helps keep a number of small, diverse farms operating in Oklahoma. Some of these farms have been in business for generations and others are just getting started, but buying local helps to preserve an important part of Oklahoma’s agricultural heritage and supports the local economy by keeping your money in the community.

Farmers’ markets allow the consumer to talk one-on-one with the farmer about how the food we eat is grown. Some small, local farms specialize in growing organic produce using natural fertilizers without pesticides and herbicides.

A visit to the farmers’ market can also be an education for kids who may not know where their food comes from or realize the incredible variety of foods that can be grown so close to home.

Many communities around the state have farmers’ markets, so most Oklahomans are just a short drive away from delicious food, fresh from the farm.

For even more local food options, Oklahomans can also contact the Oklahoma Food Cooperative at www.oklahomafood.coop.

Despite all the great reasons to buy locally produced foods, there’s no better argument than the incredible taste. I encourage every Oklahoman to eat locally produced foods and learn how delicious a state Oklahoma can be.

If you have questions or comments, please write me at the Office of the Governor, Room 212, Oklahoma City OK 73105 or visit the "Contact the Governor" section of my website, www.governor.ok.gov.

Photo Credits: General stock photo from web.

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 19 August 2009 )

See “The Tulsa Collection” this weekend

Staff Report

Friday, 07 August 2009
Embrace the Arts is proud to present: "The Tulsa Collection" by artist Tommy Ball.

For those interested, Tommy’s works will be on display Sat., Aug. 8th from 7 to 10 p.m inside of Elements Spa located on the second level of the Crowne Plaza in downtown Tulsa.

This particular collection is done primarily in watercolors of the Tulsa architecture and its landscape.

Elements Spa will be offering specially priced spa gift cards to those in attendance as well as a spa package give-a-way.

In addition, valet parking will be available at the main entrance.

Last Updated ( Friday, 07 August 2009 )

Thinking about dreams

Staff Report

By journaling about the patterns of dream symbols it can serve as help by translating the dreams that we really feel the need to know about.

Today dreamers and dream analysis researchers looking for data for common dreams, still turn to Sigmund Freud’s’ theories of human dreams more than 100 years later.

During this time Sigmund Freud started a psychiatric practice that focused on the interpretation of dreams. It was discovered dreams are an experience that all people share.

Common Dreams
People have so many genetic characteristic traits in common. This is the reason that we are able to create huge databases of common dreams analysis information.

They are made readily available online and are a great source of finding out what dreams are made of in general.

Dream dictionaries are a wonderful way to learn about a relevant example of a dream you’ve had and wondered what dream meanings may apply to it.

Not always is the dream analysis applicable to every individual. One of the most common dreams that people have is about teeth or a tooth . Here are a few different dream meanings.

CLOVER
A clover field in a dream is a fortunate augury, especially if the clover is in bloom. Bees in -a clover field augur prosperity and contentment.

COGWHEEL
those who are in love are likely to have slight disagreements if they dream of cogwheels in smooth motion. If a tooth on one of the wheels is broken it predicts disaster to a love affair.

COBWEB
It is bad luck to dream of seeing cobwebs on any article that should be kept bright with use, such as a Bible, toothbrush, etc. It is good luck to dream of cobwebs on bottles of wine.

COTTON
It is a sign that you will never go hungry if you dream of picking cotton. To walk through a field of ripe cotton foretells ease unless you are accompanied by an undesirable companion, in which case the portent is of worry. To put medicated cotton in an aching tooth means that you will have a visitor. To see a cotton-gin at work is a sign that you will suffer a disability.

Becoming a parent is a wonderful point in a couples’ life. But there is always the fear of the unknown. With that fear is often fuel for dreams before, during, and after pregnancy. Having children and getting fat are common dreams and main worries for woman.
What if you had quintuplets?

If you dream about having quintuplets here’s what it means
It is a favorable augury to dream of seeing a group of quintuplets of any age or sex. An early marriage is predicted to lovers and a happy home life to those who are married.

It is a portent of obstacles overcome for a woman to dream of giving birth to quintuplets.
A woman with a desire to be pregnant may dream spiders, being fat or giving birth.

If a married woman dreams of giving birth to a child, great happiness and a large legacy are foretold. For a single woman, loss of reputation and desertion by her lover. It is a warning against careless behavior.

Birth Words that we Dream About

BIRTH CONTROL- this is a propitious dream for married people. The prophecy is of sturdy children who will prove a blessing to their parents.

BIRTHDAY- To be present at a birthday celebration predicts poverty to the young; to the old, many troubles and loneliness

Last Updated ( Friday, 07 August 2009 )
Advertisement

Unemployment Insurance Claims Report

Staff Report

The U.S. Department of Labor has issued the following news release:

SEASONAL DATA
In the week ending Aug. 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 550,000, a decrease of 38,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 588,000.

The 4-week moving average was 555,250, a decrease of 4,750 from the previous week’s revised average of 560,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 4.7 percent for the week ending July 25, unchanged from the prior week’s unrevised rate of 4.7 percent.

The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending July 25 was 6,310,000, an increase of 69,000 from the preceding week’s revised level of 6,241,000.

The 4-week moving average was 6,278,750, a decrease of 148,500 from the preceding week’s revised average of 6,427,250.

The fiscal year-to-date average for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment for all programs is 5.522 million.

UNADJUSTED DATA
The advance number of actual initial claims under state programs, unadjusted, totaled 463,062 in the week ending Aug. 1, a decrease of 48,296 from the previous week.

There were 382,792 initial claims in the comparable week in 2008.

The advance unadjusted insured unemployment rate was 4.5 percent during the week ending July 25, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week.

The advance unadjusted number for persons claiming UI benefits in state programs totaled 5,987,728, a decrease of 116,319 from the preceding week. A year earlier, the rate was 2.4 percent and the volume was 3,166,763.

Extended benefits were available in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin during the week ending July 18.

Initial claims for UI benefits by former Federal civilian employees totaled 1,661 in the week ending July 25, a decrease of 30 from the prior week.

There were 1,981 initial claims by newly discharged veterans, a decrease of 80 from the preceding week.

There were 19,783 former Federal civilian employees claiming UI benefits for the week ending July 18, an increase of 1,066 from the previous week.

Newly discharged veterans claiming benefits totaled 30,107, an increase of 175 from the prior week.

States reported 2,754,391 persons claiming EUC (Emergency Unemployment Compensation) benefits for the week ending July 18, an increase of 97,512 from the prior week.

There were 607,368 claimants in the comparable week in 2008.

EUC weekly claims include both first and second tier activity.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending July 18 were in Puerto Rico (8.0 percent), Michigan (6.7), Oregon (6.5), Pennsylvania (6.5), Nevada (6.1), Wisconsin (5.7), Connecticut (5.5), New Jersey (5.5), California (5.4), Rhode Island (5.3), and South Carolina (5.3).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending July 25 were in Ohio (+891), Oklahoma (+644), Mississippi (+222), Louisiana (+154), and Alaska (+129), while the largest decreases were in North Carolina (-9,809), Michigan (-9,085), Florida (-8,714), Georgia (-6,948), and Alabama (-3,822).

Tables omitted. (The complete tables can be viewed at: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/eta20090907.htm)

photo credits: general stock photo from web.

Last Updated ( Friday, 07 August 2009 )

Tulsa Today welcomes Keith Urban

Tracy Crain

As part of his highly successful 2009 summer concert tour, the talented and handsome Keith Urban is performing Friday night at the BOK Center. He arrives immediately following his Aug. 6th performance in Little Rock.

Urban’s show consists of several highly coveted acts that have been helping him, including the likes of: Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bently, Glen Campbell, and The Zac Brown Band.

All are taking turns opening for the Country music legend throughout the tremendous 58 show tour currently underway.

The amazing and talented Sugarland is scheduled to open for Urban this evening.
Tickets for this event, which range from $20 to $77 can be purchased online through the BOK Center at this address: http://www.bokcenter.com/events.asp?id=11&pid=156&task=display

Doors for this event open at 6:30p.m., with the showing beginning at 7:30p.m. Tulsa Today is pleased to welcome Keith Urban and Sugarland to Tulsa.

Our concert reviewer Ernie Osborn and our photographer Kevin Pyle will also be on-site for this event. We hope you make plans to be here with us.

About Keith Urban
Born Keith Lionel Urban on October 26, 1967, he spent his early years in New Zealand, before moving to Australia and then relocating to Nashville.

It is reported that “by age seven, Urban was already thinking about emigrating to America and making his mark in Nashville, Tennessee.

Urban began to learn the guitar at age six and began winning talent contests at age 8. By twelve he was booking his band in local clubs, and at fifteen he quit school to hit the road.” (eventful.com)

“In 1990, Urban signed with EMI in Australia and recorded his first solo album, which charted four No. 1 country hits in Australia. In 1992, Urban moved to Nashville to pursue the largest country music market in the world. Originally the front man for The Ranch, a three-piece group that released one album in 1997 to critical acclaim, Urban disbanded the group to pursue a solo career.”

It’s further noted that Urban had a terrible addition to cocaine, after reaching a low point in his life in 1998.

Fortunately, for fans everywhere, he checked himself into a self help clinic and cleaned up his act.

Since then, he has had numerous hits and has won a long line of awards, including the Top New Male Vocalist Award from the Academy of Country Music. He is now engaged to actress Nicole Kidman as well.

Overall, Urban is known for a tremendous line up of hits, including such songs as “Better Life,” “You’ll Think of Me,” “Making Memories of Us,“ and "Tonight I Wanna Cry."

One of the best male vocalists in the industry, Urban’s show is a definite must see.

Other Sites of Interest

Keith Urban’s Official Website: http://www.keithurban.net/

Hear a great utube recording of Keith Urban here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y1oW_CBoAE

Purchase tickets now at the BOK Center: http://www.bokcenter.com/events.asp?id=11&pid=156&task=display