EDMOND — OCPA, OCU Law sponsor Magna Carta Day lecture

Magna Carta Day is June 15, and the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs and the Oklahoma City University School of Law are co-hosting a lecture on the document outlining perhaps the most important declaration of individual rights ever recorded.

“Charting our Course: The Great Charter and American Liberty” by renowned speaker and historian J. Rufus Fears will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Kerr-McGee Auditorium at the OCU Meinders School of Business.

“I always begin my course on the history of freedom in America with Magna Carta,” said Fears, professor of classics at the University of Oklahoma and the Dr. David and Ann Brown Distinguished Fellow at OCPA. “We would never have had July 4, 1776, without June 15, 1215, when King John was forced near Windsor Castle at the field of Runnymede to sign the Magna Carta — the great declaration of freedoms for Englishmen and now for us as Americans.”

The event is free and open to the public. First come, first served. Seating is limited to about 300 patrons.

The Meinders School of Business is at 27th Street and McKinley Avenue on the campus of Oklahoma City University.



Easter Seals Oklahoma event funds programs, outreach

Easter Seals Oklahoma presents “Totally Awesome ’80s!: A Blast from the Past” from 6:30-11 p.m. Friday at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

The event includes an evening of culinary delights, casino play with music and ’80s tunes and photo booth fun provided by Nexus Productions. Funds raised at the event will be used to support programs with an emphasis on those individuals with disabilities in the state of Oklahoma.

Easter Seals Oklahoma provides direct services, an Adult Day Health Center and an inclusive and intergenerational Child Development Program, consisting of a Child Development Center and a Medical Rehabilitation program consisting of speech, physical therapy and occupational therapy consultations.

The event also features a popular complimentary beer and wine-tasting throughout the evening.

Tickets are $100 per person and available online at www.eastersealsok.org/bftp. Fifty-five dollars of the ticket price is a tax-deductible contribution. For more information, call Vida Wasinger at 239-2525 or www.eastersealsoklahoma.org.



OSU Extension offers leather crafting workshop

Young people who would like to learn to create beautiful leather crafts are invited to attend the “Basic Leather Craft” Workshop Thursday at the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension Service.

Participants in the Leather Crafting workshop can choose to attend either the morning class from 9-11:30 a.m. or the afternoon class at 1-3:30 p.m.

“If anyone has ever wanted to try leather crafts, this class will provide youth of all ages with a great opportunity for learning,” stated Kyle Worthington, 4-H Youth Educator for the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension Service and one of the instructors for the course. “We’ll provide all of the equipment and tools and students will get to create their own one-of-a-kind leather crafts.”

The workshops, which are geared to youth ages 9-18, will focus on creating smaller objects like leather bracelets, key chains and other items, though after learning the basics, students could go on to learn to craft larger items like belts, purses and even luggage.

This workshop requires pre-registration and a $15 fee to cover materials.  Participants will take home all of the crafts they make during the class and are encouraged to enter them in the upcoming Oklahoma County Free Fair and Oklahoma State Fair.

For more information about the “Basic Leather Craft” workshop or others, contact the OSU Cooperative Extension Service at 713-1125 or access the website at http://oces.okstate.edu/oklahoma.

Purple Sash gala to help women, children healing from violence

The YWCA Oklahoma City will have its seventh annual Purple Sash gala at 6:30 p.m. June 25 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, 1700 N.E. 63rd St. All proceeds benefit the YWCA Oklahoma City, the only shelter for battered women and children in Oklahoma County.

The evening will include dinner catered by the Skirvin Hilton, live and silent auctions, a wine pull and a fast-paced fashion show by Ruth Meyers. Guests can bid on items including courtside Oklahoma City Thunder tickets, luxurious trips to New York and Cozumel, beautiful jewelry, a helicopter ride with the Oklahoma City Police Department and even a private Graham Colton concert. At the end of the evening, a survivor will share her story of escaping abuse and how she is using her own journey to healing to help others.

Raffle tickets also are available for the chance to win a five-night Mexican cruise for two. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ywcaokc.org through June 24, and during Purple Sash for $20 each. The winner will be drawn at Purple Sash, but participants do not have to be present to win.

The silent auction and bar will open at 6:30 p.m., and the program will begin at 7:30 p.m. Attire is black tie preferred. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the YWCA at 948-1770 or visit www.ywcaokc.org.



Sundays on a Monday event features Lankford

Congressman James Lankford and Oklahoma native Anita Bryant will speak on the topic of “Courage Past & Present” at 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 20 at 4201 N.W. 192nd St., located one-half mile west of Portland Avenue and State Highway 74. The event is sponsored by the Edmond Republican Women’s Club.

For reservation or more information, call 796-7053. Donations are $5 per person and $10 for families.

Bass Pro Shops plans Summer Blood Drive June 18

Blood donors this summer will “feel strong” when they give with Oklahoma Blood Institute. Bass Pro Shops is sponsoring a drive 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 18 at 200 Bass Pro Drive in Oklahoma City.

Not only will each blood donor save up to three lives with their donation, they’ll also receive a voucher for two tickets to the Oklahoma City Zoo, a T-shirt and free health screenings. Blood donors also will be entered in a drawing for three $50 gift certificates and an Animal Print from Bass Pro. KLOVE will be there with games for children and giveaways also.

“As donors plan summer vacations and outdoor activities, we encourage blood donation to be a part of those summer plans,” said Dr. John Armitage, OBI president and CEO. “It’s important to have regular blood donors to maintain our typical three-day supply.”

Anyone who is healthy and 16 years of age can donate and donations can be made every 56 days.

Blood donors also have the opportunity to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by forgoing the T-shirt offered in appreciation for giving blood. In turn, OBI will make a monetary donation of similar value to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

For more information or to make an appointment, call Oklahoma Blood Institute at 877-340-8777 or visit www.obi.org.

Copper Lake Estates sponsors Dog Days of Summer event

Copper Lake Estates, A Senior Lifestyle Community, will offer the second annual Dog Days of Summer to benefit Paws for Life Inc. The event is from 6-9 p.m. at Copper Lake Estates and is open to the public. There is no admission fee, however donations will be accepted. All donations go to benefit Paws for Life Inc., in association with Edmond Animal Welfare.

Homemade spaghetti and meatballs will be served during the event, and guests will enjoy watching “Lady and the Tramp” on a floating movie screen on the lake. Dog contests being at 6 p.m. for ugliest/cutest dog, smallest/biggest dog, best trick and best dressed. Please call 340-5311 to enter your dog into the contest. The event also will have carnival booths, a dog water park, doggie wash and dog pictures.

Copper Lake Estates is at 1225 Lakeshore Drive. For more information, visit Copper Lake Estates at www.seniorlifestyle.com or call 340-5311.



Attorney General’s Public Protection Unit cautions Oklahomans on wedding scams

Attorney General Scott Pruitt’s Public Protection Unit warned Oklahoma couples Friday to be cautious and aware of possible fraud during the summer wedding season.

“Weddings are an important time for Oklahoma families,” said Tom Bates, the head of the AG’s Public Protection Unit. “We want to arm them with tools and information that can protect them from wedding-related scams.”

Helpful tips to avoid fraud include:

• Review every contract before signing, especially noting the terms of cancellation;

• Use credit cards as opposed to cash; credit cards provides documented information that can protect you and help resolve any possible disputes;

• Before purchasing a wedding dress, learn whether the seller is following FTC guidelines by providing information about the garment’s fiber content and country of origin;

• Ask friends and family for suggestions and recommendations when looking for photographers, caterers, wedding venues, etc.

• Check the Oklahoma Supreme Court Network (www.oscn.net) for lawsuits filed against vendors; multiple lawsuits can be a red flag.

“The Public Protection Unit is dedicated to protecting Oklahomans from potential harm,” Bates said. “We want Oklahomans to have a wedding day that they will look back on with happy memories, unhindered by the existence of fraud and disappointment.”

For more information, tips on avoiding fraud, questions about complaints or to report fraud, call the AG’s Public Protection Unit at 521-2029 or go online at www.oag.ok.gov.