NEXT Blog

City to Discuss Reapportionment of Wards

The Reapportionment Commission will hold a public hearing to solicit comment on proposed changes to the City Council ward boundaries on August 17, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 201 West Gray Street.

The City Charter requires the Commission to present a proposal to the City Council equalizing the population among the wards after they receive the results of the Decennial Census. Currently the difference in population between the largest and smallest ward is 3,860, which is 27.44% of the average ward population of 14,048.  

The proposed plan reduces the overall range from the average ward size to 7.30%. All wards are modified by the proposal. In addition to equalizing population, the commission strives to minimize the number of precinct splits in order to reduce the opportunity for voter confusion.  Commissioners also focus upon keeping neighborhoods and areas of common interest intact.

In accordance with the City Charter, the Reapportionment Commission has scheduled a meeting on August 29 at 6:00 p.m. to determine whether they will forward the proposed boundaries to City Council for action or make modifications to the proposal based on the public’s response.  All meetings related to reapportionment are posted and open to the public.

Ward population statistics:

Population estimates based upon Census 2010 data and certificates of occupancy issued between through April 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010.

Should citizens have questions, please contact Joyce Green at 366-5467.

Norman NEXT recently sat down with Samantha Kahoe, Vice President of Marketing at Cole Technology Group and current board president of Norman NEXT, to ask some important and entertaining questions.

Full Circle Adult Day Center

Full Circle Programs and Services

Full Circle Senior Adult Day Center supports elderly individuals and family caregivers by providing health monitoring and person centered therapeutic activities within a secure environment.  We encourage participants to exercise his or her maximum self-sufficiency to live a full, dignified life with the hope of preventing or delaying age-related deterioration and nursing home entry.

Among Friends

Among Friends is an activity center for adults with special needs & disabilities for fun, learning, and friendships.  

Among Friends uses volunteers and operates solely on donations, grants, and community support.  They are currently serving over 62 clients and families from the Norman area with special needs, offering them opportunities and hope for a better tomorrow.  

Their clients play games, develop friendships, do crafts, watch movies, participate in special projects and outings, dance, exercise, and learn skills and self reliance.  
Be a Friend. Assist some of their clients with games, activities, and meals. Help with Special Projects. Help with activities like crafts, art classes, exercise classes, cooking classes, parties, crafts, and outings.  

They are located in the Community Services Building, 1183 East Main Street, at the Northeast end of the building. Among Friends is fully accessible, and offers a game/meal room and a big screen movie room. They are open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10am to 2pm, and Thursday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm

For information about Among Friends, contact: Cathe Fox, Executive Director (405) 701-2121 or e-mail: cathefox@cox.net

Thank you to Candie Westbrook, Sales Representative at the NCED Conference Center & Hotel, who serves on the Community Activism Team, for writing this blog about Among Friends.

The Norman Arts Council works at the forefront of arts education and arts and cultural events to strengthen Norman Oklahoma as a world-class arts destination. Over the years, the Norman Arts Council has granted over $2 million to dozens of Norman nonprofit organizations and serves over 13,000 Norman Public School children with our Arts-in-Education programs.

Along with the City of Norman, the NAC established the Downtown Norman Arts District and the Art in Public Places Program, creating and inspiring the arts and cultural events in the entire Norman Community. The signature event of the Norman Arts Council is the 2nd Friday Circuit of Art, a monthly event designed to showcase the many wonderful artists and arts organizations in Norman Oklahoma. Held every 2nd Friday of every month, the Norman Arts Council invites everyone to enjoy the sights and sounds of art in Norman.

The NAC also co-founded Jazz in June and the Norman Music Festival, and with the Norman Arts Council’s support, both exciting events draw tens of thousands of people to the Norman Area.

The NAC works with the Norman Arts & Humanities Roundtable, SongWriters Association Norman, Cinematic Artists of Norman, and the Norman Studio Artists Association to advocate for artists and art organizations in Norman. Each of these organizations and those involved need the help of volunteers and the community to thrive.

If you would like to help the NAC or any of the arts organizations in Norman, visit us online at www.normanarts.org/get-involved or contact us at 405.360.1162.

About us:
The Mary Abbott Children’s House serves child victims of sexual and severe physical abuse and neglect through integrated interagency investigation, intervention, education, and advocacy. In 2009, Abbott House served 652 child victims of abuse, a number that has continued to grow by at least ten percent each month in 2010. In order to continue to meet this ever-growing need, it is more important now than ever that our annual fundraiser, the OU Basketball Coaches Luncheon see record attendance and donations.

Annual Fundraiser:
You may find detailed information about Table Sponsorship below, and also note that individual tickets are also available for sale. Additionally, we will have a brief live auction featuring OU basketball tickets, a Don Sherman original painting, even an Apple I-pad (just to name a few). There will also be a short raffle featuring items from Apothem, Balfour of Norman and Antique Garden.

OU Basketball and Mary Abbott’s Children’s House are teaming up again for the Annual Basketball Coaches Luncheon Featuring Coaches Jeff Capel and Sherri Coale. All Proceeds from this event will benefit the Mary Abbott’s Children’s House

When: Thursday December 16, 2010 at 11:30am – 1:00pm
Where: Journey Church – 3801 Journey Pkwy, Norman - (405) 292-2500

Corporate Tables – Sponsorships

*Slam-Dunk Sponsor: $500.00 – 8 tickets
This is our elite sponsorship opportunity.  Each sponsor in this category will receive:
Reserved Table
Company logo displayed on the PowerPoint, which will be played during the luncheon
Recognition for support at the Slam-Dunk level in the program
Recognition from the event’s MC for support at the Slam-Dunk level

*Three-Point Sponsor: $375.00 – 6 tickets
Each sponsor in this category will receive:
Recognition in the event program and reserved seating

*Lay-Up Sponsor: $125.00 – 2 tickets
Each company in this category will receive:
Recognition in the event program

Your support as a leader in this community is crucial to the success of both this event and Mary Abbott’s Children’s House.  We can send you an invoice, pick up your check, or handle your sponsorship as needed.  We look forward to your involvement with this event.

For further information please feel free to contact the staff of the Mary Abbott Children’s House @ (405) 579-5800 or Jeanne Snider @ (405) 366-5466.

Meals on Wheels of Norman

Meals on Wheels of Norman, Inc. is a United Way of Norman Agency.  Meals on Wheels has maintained the same basic philosophy to improve nutrition by providing meal service to the ill, disabled, and senior residents within the Norman city limits.  The organization strives to improve the mental health of isolated recipients by providing visitation and to improve the well being of senior citizens in coordination with existing services in the Norman area. The organization delivers meals Monday through Friday during the noontime hour and currently serves approximately 300 clients in the Norman City Limits.

Upcoming Fundraisers

Meals on Wheels of Norman 2nd Annual Trivia Tournament

Thursday, October 7, 2010
Riverwind Casino: Showplace Theatre
7-10 p.m.
$25 per player or $175 per team of 8
8 categories with 8 questions each!
Categories: History, Geography, Celebrities, Science & Health, OU Football, Greek Mythology, Fun Facts about Norman, Meals on Wheels Facts
Silent Auction, Free Food, Free Refreshments, Cash Bar Available!
To Register, please contact Summer McGuire at (405) 321-7272 or by email at summer@mealsonwheelsnorman.com

Annual Poinsettia Sale

The Poinsettia Sale is the organization’s largest fund raiser of the year!
Pre-order your poinsettias Now!
Poinsettias available in red, white, and pink
6.5” pots (4-6 blooms) - $11 each
8” pots (6-8 blooms) - $21 each
Plants will be available on Thursday, December 2 from 9am-7pm at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds.  Orders of 10 or more may be delivered free of charge on Thursday, December 2.

Order poinsettias and donate them back to our clients!  It is our hope that we can provide each of our 300 clients with a beautiful plant as a gift for the holidays.
Ordering just 5 plants will help provide meals to an ill, disabled, or elderly client for one week!
Poinsettias may be ordered online at www.mealsonwheelsnorman.com, by calling the Meals on Wheels office at (405) 321-7272 or by email at summer@mealsonwheelsnorman.com

How Can You Help?

Become A Volunteer Driver… It’s more than Just a Meal!  
Often our volunteer drivers are the only outside contact that our clients will have each day.  The interaction means so much to them.

The time commitment is minimal!  Regular drivers deliver meals one time per week (same route).  It takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete a route during the noontime hour! You can also be a substitute driver and deliver whenever there is a need.  This option is much more flexible!

Social Media Volunteer

Help Meals on Wheels promote our events to our Facebook friends and Twitter followers on a regular basis!  We are also considering starting a blog!

Wish List

Office Supplies
Emergency Food Closet Items (canned food/non-perishable items only, please)
Dog & Cat food
Copier Paper

Contact:

Summer McGuire, Associate Director
Meals on Wheels of Norman, Inc.
P.O. Box 1371
Norman, OK  73070
(405) 321-7272
Fax: (405) 321-8413
summer@mealsonwheelsnorman.com
website: www.mealsonwheelsnorman.com

Thank you to Candie Westbrook, Sales Representative at the NCED Conference Center & Hotel, who serves on the Community Activism Team, for writing this blog about Meals on Wheels of Norman.

Second Chance Animal Sanctuary is a "no-kill" animal shelter run solely on donations, whose mission is to provide rescue, shelter, proper veterinary care including spay & neuter, and adoption services for abandoned dogs and cats in central Oklahoma.  We house nearly 100 dogs and cats, while finding homes for over 600 animals annually.  To date, Second Chance has found homes for over 10,000 pets.

What if every child fulfilled their potential? Think how amazing that would be. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma, Cleveland County Office, is looking for people eager to positively impact a child and improve the Norman community at the same time. Volunteers, especially Big Brothers, are in high demand.  For a few hours, a few times a month, you can give a child the invaluable gift of your friendship and help them reach their potential.  Also, if you know a child who could benefit from having a mentor in their life, we want to help.  Start Something Big today at www.bbbsok.org

The Community after School Program (CASP), a local non-profit organization, provides quality care working in partnership with several community agencies including the United Way of Norman, Licensed by the Department of Human Services; each program offers a slate of self-directed options for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Art projects, board games, outdoor play, creative play and group time are all parts of the daily routine. The Community after School Program emphasizes opportunities for physical activities, self-expression though arts and crafts, math and science, reading and homework, dramatic play, various physical activities and socialization with peers in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.