EDMOND — Disability agency provides Outreach, Education EXPO

The state agency responsible for providing many critical services to Oklahomans with disabilities has scheduled a free community outreach and education event on Oct. 15-16. DRS Director Michael O�Brien encourages current and former clients, partner agencies and the public to participate in the 2009 DRS EXPO on the Oklahoma School for the Deaf campus at 1100 E. Oklahoma Street in Sulphur.

The EXPO theme is �16 Candles� in honor of DRS� 16th anniversary.

The event will be hosted by O�Brien and the Commission for Rehabilitation Services commissioners: Chairman Ben C. White from Lawton, Vice Chairman Ray Kirk from Muskogee and member Steve Shelton from Edmond.

Participants may earn continuing education credits for attending workshops about services and issues affecting the disability and rehabilitation communities. Sixteen workshops are planned on topics such as: introduction to American Sign Language, managing Social Security benefits, and adaptations and modifications for visual impairments.

Exhibitors, including the Social Security Administration and Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 15 and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 16. Exhibit space is available.

The Visiting Nurses Association will offer flu shots for $20, flu mist for $25 and pneumonia shots for $55.

Participants are encouraged to register online at tinyurl.com/y9bmf5h. For more information, call 419-2576 or email DA.OK.S39.PR@ssa.gov. Those who use telecommunications equipment for the deaf may call 419-2750.



Edmond Allstate agents awarded for volunteerism

Exclusive Allstate agents in Edmond are receiving the Agency Hands in the Community award for their commitment to helping others in their area. With this award comes a $500 grant from The Allstate Foundation for the organizations where they volunteer. The Allstate exclusive agents include:

� Tracy Sadler for her volunteer work for Edmond Women�s Club;

� Monica Baker for her volunteer work for Choctaw Fire Department;

� Cathy Polony for her volunteer work for Tulsa Advocates for the Rights of Citizens With Developmental Disabilities.

�Allstate is proud to help Oklahoma City organizations with their causes,� said Denis Bailey, field vice president for Allstate�s Southwest region. �The grants from The Allstate Foundation will provide much needed assistance for their efforts. We believe in supporting programs to strengthen the communities where we live and work.�

Through the Agency Hands in the Community grant program, Allstate agents and personal financial representatives are recognized for outstanding commitment to community service with a $500 donation to the charitable organization where they volunteer. To qualify for the grant, agents and personal financial representatives must show evidence of volunteer work that has had a positive impact on the local community.



EEDA announces Economic Preview date

The 2010 Edmond Economic Preview is a forum of 2009 highlights and 2010 projections from local and statewide economic and real estate experts.

The Preview, sponsored by First Fidelity Bank, is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 26 in the Nigh University Center at the University of Central Oklahoma. The event includes a CD launch, luncheon and expert panel. The CD includes all reports and a special video, previewed at the event. Pre-registration cost is $35 and the at-the-door cost is $45. Both prices include the cost of lunch, the CD and parking. Attendees may purchase tables of eight for $270 until Jan. 20.

Hard copies of the CD are available for an additional $25. Questions for the panel must be pre-submitted to info@eeda.com.



Free environmental seminar to focus on greenhouse gas reporting

On Sept. 22 the U.S Environmental Protection Agency took its first step in regulating emissions of greenhouse gases by finalizing its Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule. The landmark program, which would require large emitters to begin collecting greenhouse gas data in 2010, is expected to cover about 85 percent of the nation�s greenhouse gas emissions from between 10,000 and 14,000 facility sources.

Next week, the Clean Air Act and greenhouse gas lawyers from McAfee & Taft will team up with the air pollution regulatory and engineering experts from Cardinal Engineering to host a complimentary full-day seminar designed to assist businesses and facilities covered, or that could be covered, by the mandatory reporting rule to understand how to comply with these new reporting requirements.

The free seminar will be from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Presbyterian Health Foundation Conference Center in Oklahoma City.

Compliance with this rule cannot be postponed since the data gathering for emission calculations must begin on Jan. 1.

Interested participants can sign up online at www.mcafeetaft.com.



2010 Small Business Award competition nomination deadline Nov. 13

The U.S. Small Business Administration Oklahoma District Office is seeking successful and inspiring entrepreneurs to represent the state in regional and national small business award competitions. In 2009, Oklahoma City entrepreneur Jeanna Sellmeyer, owner of ASSET Group Inc., went on to be named the top small business person in the country.

Deadline for 2010 Award nominations is Nov. 13.

Any individual or organization may submit nominations. A company, owner or business advocate also can self-nominate. Award categories include: Small Business Person of the Year, Small Business Exporter of the Year, SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year and Entrepreneurial Success Award.

Small Business Champion Award recipients are individuals or organizations who have dedicated their professional skills or personal talents to supporting small businesses through advocacy and volunteer efforts. Nominees may or may not be small business owners. Categories include: Financial Services Champion of the Year, Home-Based Business Champion of the Year, Minority Small Business Champion of the Year, Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year and Women in Business Champion of the Year.

All nominations must be postmarked or hand delivered to the Oklahoma District Office, 301 N.W. Sixth Street, Suite 116, Oklahoma City, OK, 73102, no later than Nov. 13. For a copy of the full nomination criteria, contact Darla Booker, darla.booker@sba.gov. Nomination guidelines and forms can be downloaded at www.sba.gov/ok.