Tulsa is home to Oral Roberts University.  The impact of ORU presents many facets.  Here is a perspective from one of her students:

I have often been told that when meeting people for the first time, there are three taboo topics that I should always avoid: politics, religion, and money. Unfortunately, when I meet people for the first time –as I am meeting many of you today, these three topics are hard for me to avoid. So I’ll do my best to quickly introduce myself without offending too many of you: “Hello, my name is Jamie Weathers. I am a Government major here at Oral Roberts University, and I am trusting God for every dollar of my student loans to be paid!”
Despite what may be true at other universities, at ORU these topics are not taboo. In fact, they are welcomed, because they are three subjects that affect the three parts of man: Spirit, Mind, and Body. Together, these three make up the Whole Man, and in a world that wants to separate the three parts of Man, either by ignoring one or worshipping another, we here at ORU realize the necessity of becoming this Whole Man. This is why I believe that you, the graduating class of 2008, have received the best education in the world. You might be thinking, “Wait a minute. Have you ever heard of Harvard, Yale, Cambridge or Oxford?” Yes, and I have even attended one of them briefly. But I dare say that the education that you have received at Oral Roberts University is far superior to any of these. This is because your education has been infused with the Word of God, from which comes biblical morality and absolute truth.
Socrates, one of the greatest philosophers and educators of antiquity believed in the existence of absolute truth. It has also been said that he thought morality and virtue were some of the greatest accomplishments of man, because without morality, based on absolute truth, one would be unable to reason. We can see this in the post-modern society we live in today, where there is no “right” and there is no “wrong.” I ask, how in the absence of absolutes, can we expect people to make logical decisions?
In a society that says that faith cannot be married with reason, and the bible cannot be linked with logic, at one time or another I am sure most of you graduating today have been asked the question, “ Why go to a Christian University? Why go to ORU?” Because at ORU, we believe that the pursuit of knowledge is intimately acquainted with the pursuit of God, and it is by the discipline of our Spirit, Mind, and Body we are able to fulfill the call of God on our lives.
I truly believe it is only by knowing absolute truth and understanding biblical morality that we can properly reason. So as Paul spoke of a world “ever learning and searching for knowledge, yet never able to come to the knowledge of truth” (2 Tim 3:7), In that world my friends, you have the answers. You have been given a whole education. A whole education that does not shy away from asking the deeper questions that challenge our faith. A whole education that does not seek to omit theory, but rather requires the discipline to discern whether those theories properly reflect the Word of God. A whole education that matures your Spirit, challenges your mind, and even strengthens your body. And my friends, it is this whole education that has equipped you to be the problem solvers, the leaders, and the ministers to this nation and to the rest of the world.
What this world needs is Whole Men and Whole Women.
It will take a Whole Man to discern the needs of others in his home and community and to be used by God to meet those needs.
It will take a Whole Woman to go to Wall Street and come up with creative and ethical business solutions for a struggling economy.
It will take a Whole Man to teach in the classrooms of America, filled with children from broken homes who are in desperate need of love.
It will take a Whole Woman to leave the comforts of the Western World and go into a foreign land with an unknown language and bring them the Word of God.
It will take a Whole Man to come up with the technological advances that will relieve the nations of extreme poverty and mass starvation.
It will take a Whole Woman to march up Capital Hill with her head held high ready to bring integrity and justice to the political realm.
It will take a Whole Man to be inspired by the Holy Spirit and create masterpiece works of literature, art, and music that reveal the beauty and existence of God.
It will take a Whole Woman to care for patients, cure disease, lay hands on the sick, and raise the dead.
It took a Whole Man to obey God and give away over $70 million dollars.
It takes a Whole Woman, who is unsure of her future, to wait on the voice of the Lord to tell her what to do on May 4th, 2008.
It will take a Whole Man to “hear His voice, to go where His light is dim, where is voice is heard small, and His healing power is not known, even to the uttermost bounds of the earth.”
And it will take all of you Whole Men and Whole Women to stand up right now and give all the glory to God.

The Journal Record newspaper of Oklahoma announced its selection of achievers under 40.  Darryl Baskin was named among other Tulsans.  Article here.

Tulsa graffiti is out of control.  KOTV channel 6 and the Tulsa World have both had multiple features on the increase in gang and mischievous vandalism. Bridges, overpasses and buildings are defaced throughout Tulsa. The City of Tulsa was asked to address the problem and what citizens of Tulsa can do to help on The Future of Real Estate radio programs but used the excuse that the show was a "promotional program" to avoid having to discuss the problem publicly. Allen Stanton, City Inspector, oversees the City's removal of graffiti.  Keith Isbell, Chief Communications Officer for the City of Broken Arrow, explained how the City of Broken Arrow has taken steps to keep graffiti vandals out of the city and maintain the beauty Broken Arrow offers to its residents instead. 

Tulsa's web page offers an online form to submit a location for graffiti removal for free. The page also says the Mayor's Action Line will accept requests for graffiti removal.  Drive around town and you will see they have their work cut out for them.

Residents of the south Tulsa neighborhood Delaware Pointe held their annual neighborhood garage sale Saturday May 5th.  Baskin Real Estate Listing Specialist Dave Berry, help to coordinate placement of a dumpster in the neighborhood giving home owners the opportunity to spring clean and get rid of any clutter.  " This type of well organized event is the perfect opportunity for Tulsa's top real estate producers to listen and understand needs and concerns of home buyers and sellers," says Dave Berry.  The Collaborative efforts of the neighbors working together is what makes Delaware Pointe one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the Jenks school district. For more information on a Dumpster Day for your neighborhood sponsored by The Baskin Real Estate Specialists contact us info@darrylbaskin.com or call 918-258-2600.

 

Thirty two businessmen and women completed Leadership Bixby V.  The course includes a trip to the state capitol, a tour of Bixby Public Schools and a session on understanding city government and the operations of the Bixby Police and Fire Departments.  The leadership class as also holds a session on non-profit community services such as Bixby Community Center which serves Bixby's transitional families with employment and budget counseling, food and clothing.  Jason Skelton of The Ice House Fitness Center is a graduate and says "it expands your understanding of how the City operates and cultivates leadership qualities.  This creates responsible leaders for the community and builds a future by building an alliance with area citizens."

 

Leadership Bixby is open to all residents who have an interest in learning more about city leadership and personal development.   For more information about the program by the Bixby Chamber of Commerce, contact Deb Marshall at 918-366-9445

The 2007 SemGroup Championship LPGA Golf Tournament will be taking place April 30 - May 6 at Cedar Ridge Country Club in Broken Arrow!  Junior Achievement will once again be providing all the volunteer support for concessions and parking!

 

Volunteer with Junior Achievement and experience the LPGA action from the course, inside the ropes, and close to the entire tournament action!  Volunteering with JA during the tournament week gains you free entry into the SEMGroup tournament for the entire week plus VIP Parking!  Be sure to invite coworkers, friends, and/or family members to take part.

 

Please visit the link below to sign-up and reserve your spot!  Spots will fill up fast!  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. 

 

Click Here to Sign Up!

Happy Hands School for Hearing Impaired Children held its annual fundraising diner in the Redskin Room of the UMAC overlooking the extraordinary sports facility at Union High School.  Happy Hands is a Christian school which serves the needs of families with children who have hearing impairment.  "Early intervention gives children an advantage to learn and develop as they would normally," says Al Proo, president of the school.  "Our mission is to empower these children so that they will flourish in every area of their lives; educationally, physically, and spiritually.  While doing so, we minister God's love to these children and their families.

 

Happy Hands has purchased land for a new facility at 87th and South Garnett in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.  The new building will be built with the money raised from fundraisers like tonight's event.  Happy Hands was founded in 1994

 

For more information visit their web site or call 919-665-1200

The Chamber is proud of the level of talent, leadership and innovative programs and activities that are present at Bixby Public Schools.  What an important asset to our community!  This email brings to your attention just a few examples and opportunities that you may wish to be aware of and perhaps even participate in.

 

1. Bixby High School's Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is teaming up with a non-profit organization called Invisible Children whose sole purpose is to help those suffering in Uganda, Africa.  Not long ago children were being brainwashed and placed into armies forcing them to kill numbers of people, desensitizing them to the world.  Now that Invisible Children has opened the world's eyes to this devastating situation, change is occurring.  There is now a cease fire in Uganda and the building of schools is being permitted.  And that is where our youth comes in.  Their goal is to raise as much money as possible to assist in the building of schools in Uganda.  The specific school Bixby is supporting is Gulu Senior Secondary School.  The children are in need of buildings, sanitary water, books, and teachers. Their goal is to reach the $10,000 mark through events planned ranging from garage sales to outdoor concerts and even to in-school fundraisers.  If Bixby does succeed in raising the most money out of 35 other schools competing against us, then 3 to 5 Bixby High School students will have the opportunity to travel to Uganda this coming summer and assist in the building of the school.  If you feel compelled to help in the cause or would like more information, please contact Tyler Butler 344-3425, Bailie Gregory 810-7343, or Jodee Haack: 637-9609.  Upcoming events to raise funds include:  April 7 Community Wide Garage Sale (Bixby Family Dentistry, merchandise donations sought, call 344-3425); Outdoor concert April 14.   Monetary donations can be sent to Eugene Gregory Ministries 21 W. Rachel Bixby, OK 74008. 
2. Bixby High School's video production class is working on a commercial filming project and seeking businesses that market to teenagers that would allow this class to do a commercial for you.  There is no charge for participation and while this semester's deadline approaches quickly (April 6) interested businesses can also express interest for participation in future semester projects. This is an excellent learning opportunity for the students and also gives businesses some free advertising exposure if you are marketing to the teen population in some way.  Please contact Amy Reneau at Bixby Public Schools at areneau@bixbyps.org for more information.
3. Congratulations to Bixby's very own 7^th grader Josh McDowell and his band Crooked X that recently appeared on CBS Early Morning Show as one of the three Ultimate Finalists competing in the national CBS Living Room Competition.  Crooked X competed against 27 other groups across the country and made it to the top 3.  Congratulations Josh and Crooked X!