EDMOND — NARFE to meet Tuesday

The Edmond Chapter of the National Active & Retired Federal Employees Association will meet at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Gaylord University Center on the campus of Oklahoma Christian University of Science & Arts, 2501 E. Memorial Road.

The meeting is open to any current or retired federal employee or spouse. Lunch cost is $7.50. Speaker this month is Toi Olden, regional pharmacist for Medco.



Frontier Country Marketing meeting to discuss generational differences

Frontier Country Marketing Association will have its monthly “Hour With an Expert” marketing meeting 10 a.m. Nov. 19 at the American Banjo Museum in the Shakey’s Room located at 9 E. Sheridan in downtown Oklahoma City. This month’s topic will discuss generational differences in the workplace.

Jim Friedemann is the founder and chief operating officer of Focal Point Consulting LLC and has more than 20 years of experience in organizational development and leadership consulting. Friedemann helps leaders achieve their career and personal goals. His presentation will teach attendees how to understand generational differences with co-workers and eliminate bias to create highly motivated team players and successful workplaces.

The marketing meeting is free to all Frontier Country members and $10 for non-members. Call 232-6552 by Nov. 18 to RSVP.

Frontier Country Marketing Association, a 501 c-6 organization, promotes the economic growth of the tourism industry in the 12 central counties of Oklahoma. For more information about Frontier Country, visit ww.oktourism.com or call 1-800-FUN-OKLA.



Oklahoma Restaurant Association honors 115 food service employees

The Oklahoma Restaurant Association honored 115 of “Oklahoma’s Best of the Best” food service employees in the state on Monday at the 11th annual Hirst Hospitality Awards. The event took place at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

The goal of the Hirst Hospitality Awards is to recognize and honor the hardworking employees in the food service industry. The event pays tribute to the backbone of the restaurant industry — the restaurant employees. This event gives employers the opportunity to single out and recognize their best workers, acknowledging the value of a good staff. More than $3,000 in donated cash and door prizes were given out to attending honorees.

“This evening of celebration is a wonderful opportunity for our members and friends to get together and honor restaurant employees whose contributions often go uncelebrated but who are so important to the success of the foodservice industry,” said Jim Hopper, President and CEO of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association.

Restaurants in Edmond receiving honors include Boulevard Steakhouse and Cafe 501.

Founded in 1933, the Oklahoma Restaurant Association is the trade association of restaurants and food service operations, the state’s largest private industry employer. Representing more than 4,000 restaurants and members, the ORA actively monitors legislation and regulatory agencies; helps foodservice management develop and strengthen business; and develops the membership to do together for the industry what cannot be done individually.



Taco Bell locations raise nearly $10,000 for St. Jude

Local Taco Bell Stores raised close to $10,000 for the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in October through the third annual St. Jude Halloween Promotion. Oklahoma City Taco Bell was one of the thousands of businesses around the country that participated in the Halloween Promotion benefiting the groundbreaking research and lifesaving care of St. Jude, which is one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases.

During the promotion, employees at participating establishments asked patrons to make a $1 donation to St. Jude to support its fight against catastrophic childhood diseases. In return for the contribution, donors had the opportunity to write their names on pumpkin-themed pinups, which the establishment displayed through the month of October. Since its inception, the program has raised more than $41 million for St. Jude.

For more information, visit www.stjude.org.



Simon Property Group debuts new gift card available at Penn Square Mall

Festive, holiday designs and a gift card with no monthly fees or expiration date on the funds, are an unbeatable combination to give your loved ones this season and it’s here — in the new, highly acclaimed American Express/

Simon Giftcard available now at Penn Square Mall.

Gift givers can choose among a festive Santa, snowman or Christmas stocking design to accent their purchase.

“The American Express/Simon Giftcard is a real game-changer because it is 100 percent ‘gift’,” said Audrie Thompson, manager of Penn Square Mall. “There are no fees after purchase — no fees for checking a balance, no fees for monthly servicing, no fees for card replacement, and the funds on the cards never expire. The American Express/ Simon Giftcard always maintains its value and with the new holiday design cards certain to please, it is the perfect holiday gift.”

Thompson said the new American Express/Simon Giftcards could be purchased in any denomination between $20 and $500 — not just the usual $25, $50 or $100 — which is especially nice for birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions.

There is a $2.95 handling fee at the time of purchase. The new American Express/

Simon Giftcards can be purchased at Guest Services at Penn Square Mall.