Unemployment Rate in Oklahoma, Lower than National Rate

Employment is an important topic, not just for individuals but also for the economy at large. With the majority of people working and having a stable job, more people have the capacity to spend with businesses and the economy benefitting from the trend. Therefore, it is important to have a lower unemployment rate in the state.

In the recent unemployment rate report, Oklahoma has earned one of the better rates in the country. Its unemployment rate has, and continues to dip below less than 5% for the month of April. The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission reported that the state had decreased its rate of unemployment from last month with a rate of 4.9%. A one-tenth of a percentage point was reduced with previous rates within the flat 5%.

The commission further indicates that the rate for Oklahoma unemployment is much lower than  that of other states. Based on the report, Oklahoma’s 4.9% is lower than the national average rate of 7.5%.

What reduced the unemployment rate is the increase in the employment in several job sectors. Non-farm employment rose by 1,800, while professional and business sector earned an increase of 1,300 jobs. Though leisure and hospitality sector dropped its employment rate by 2,000, this sector still shown to be one of the highest increasing sectors in employment by 5,900 jobs between April 2012 and April 2013.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

OKC Police Department Exhibit Opens at “Oklahoma City! Sooner or Later…”

The “Oklahoma City! Sooner or Later…” exhibit features the rich history of Oklahoma City from 1890 to the present through photos and documents that highlight events that have occurred over the past 122 years. The first installment of the exhibit opened in 2011 and focused on various aspects of the city government and fire department and how they have developed over the years.

Now, the second installment is ready for public viewing and will be launching on Monday on the second floor of City Hall, located at 200 N. Walker. The exhibit will be open for public viewing Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It will be a year-round exhibit that will be enjoyable for both Oklahoma residents and tourists alike.

The second installment of “Oklahoma City! Sooner or Later…” highlights the history of the Oklahoma City Police Department. Visitors will enjoy viewing photos all the way from 1890 to the present and will learn how the department has evolved. Historical items, documents, and texts will describe the various events and changes that the city’s police force has experienced over time.

Funding for the installment was obtained through grants provided by the Oklahoma Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The grants were also matched by the City of Oklahoma, in partnership with the Metropolitan Library System, Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma Publishing Company, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, and Retro Metro OKC.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

12th Annual Mayor’s Development Roundtable in OKC

Each year in Oklahoma City, development experts, local officials, and interested members of the public gather to discuss existing and future development for the area.  Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett will be hosting the Annual Mayor’s Development Roundtable, which occurs every spring, to discuss economic growth for the city. It is a half-day event, and everyone is invited to join in the discussion and become more updated on what is going on in the city.

This is the 12th year the event will be taking place, and it will be held at the Great Hall C of the Cox Convention Center. Walter Hood, a California-based environmental designer, will be the event’s kick-off speaker. He is known for his projects that focus on environmental designs, and  he was awarded the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award for Landscape Design.

The developmental presentations will be divided into two 20/20 lightning rounds, where speakers will present 20 slides in 20 seconds per slides. Speakers for the first lightning round are Russell Claus, giving a preview of planokc; Mark Kranenburd, talking around the eastside development of Will Rogers; Elaine Lyons, presenting the I-240 Urban Land Institute Study; and Jane Jenkins, speaking about the increase in housing and hotels in the downtown area and Bricktown.

For the second lightning round, speakers will be discussing developments and local leadership in different districts of the city. Devery Youngblood will speak about the Adventure District; Carl Milam will talk about Western Avenue; Mike Knopp will offer a presentation on the Boathouse District; and Keith Paul for Uptown 23^rd Street.

The Mayor’s Development Roundtable is open to the public, and those who want to attend the event can register for $75, which includes lunch.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Dining in the Dark for a Good Cause in OKC

Blindness is one of the most common health conditions in the country. Many people live their lives in the dark with no capacity to see clearly. Though they may be used to such a lifestyle, it still helps to know that people care and are willing to help.  Thanks to a unique event for a good cause, Oklahomans can become more aware of the realities of the blind and visually impaired.

The Heartland Council of the Blind will be hosting its 5^th Annual Dining in the Dark event at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum on Saturday, May 18.  The event starts at 5:30 p.m., and the museum is located at 1700 N.E. Street.

Each participant will feel what it is like to do things in the dark  - in this case, having a meal. Food will be provided by the museum’s Persimmon Hill Restaurant, and each guest will wear a blindfold during the experience. To provide assistance, a guide will be present at all times to help each guest find their own food and answer any questions they may have.

Aside from the unique dining experience, there will also be other fun activities, including a silent auction featuring a Thunder basketball signed by Kevin Durant, challenge stations, and educational and adaptive equipment exhibits.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Do You Need a New Mattress?

Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to good health because sleeping well at night allows your body to regenerate its energy and strength for the next day. Unfortunately, where you lie down and sleep may sometimes contribute to sleep deprivation.

A good mattress is a great investment because it can keep your body aligned in a proper sleeping position. A good mattress will also last for many years, so you definitely get your money’s worth. Mattresses typically last for 10 to 20 years. Along that span of time, there are warranties for repairs on your mattress.  But, how can you tell if something is an easy fix or a serious problem?  How do you know if you need to buy a new mattress?

• Consider the age of your mattress. Has it been seven or eight years since you bought it? If so, then it may be time to buy a new one if problems arise.
• Consider how you sleep in your bed and how you sleep in other beds. Are you more comfortable on your own mattress or do you prefer sleeping in other beds? If you feel like your mattress may no longer give you a good experience, then you might consider replacing it with a new one. After all, it may not be worth enduring a less comfortable mattress every night.
• Consider how you feel each time you wake up in the morning. If you feel comfortable and relaxed with your current mattress, it is still working effectively for you. However, constantly tossing and turning at night and waking up feeling tired are signs that your mattress may no longer be working for you as well as it once did.
• Consider your aches and allergies each morning. Waking up with a lot of body aches may mean there is something wrong with your mattress. Check to see if it is still even or if it has sagging areas. An uneven mattress can contribute to a lot of body aches each morning. Plus, dust accumulation can activate your allergies when you sleep on your bed for hours at a time.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

OCU Plans Program to Give Back to the Community

In 2008, the Student Government Association of Oklahoma City University launched a community service program called OneGive that promotes environmental conservation awareness throughout the entire campus and community. OneGive is a campus-wide and community-wide service initiative that takes place for an entire day, and this year’s Student Association plans to continue the tradition by bringing back the program on April 19.

According to the OCU Student Association, there will be five activities taking place throughout the day. They include ChunkIT!, an Ultimate tournament; ImagineIT!, a recyclable art contest; DumpIT!, a trash bin search game; PlantIT!, a student volunteer project where participants plant trees around the campus; and DimIT!, an outdoor performance without any electricity inside the campus.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

New Global Research Center Planned in Oklahoma

Last week, a great opportunity for job creation came to Oklahoma via a new global research center set for construction in the state. Governor Mary Fallin announced the plan for General Electric, GE, to build its new global research center within Oklahoma.

The new global research center will establish new technologies and innovations in the oil and gas sector. It will help make use of unconventional oil and gas, enhance production, and deliver reliable products to the market faster.

According to Governor Fallin, Oklahoma is nationally and internationally recognized as a leader in energy.  She also added that the state’s dynamic and robust economy makes it a fantastic place in which to relocate and  invest.

Once the new global research center is built, it will generate new jobs, especially in the area of engineering. Around 125 high-tech engineering jobs will initially be created for the center, including software engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Having Fun with Your Yard Sale While Making Profits

If you have a lot of things at home that are no longer useful, but you don’t want them to go straight to the trash, what you need to do is have a yard sale where you can dispose of items while making a profit.

Many people host yard sales to clear out the inside of their homes and generate some extra money.  On the other hand, people go to yard sales to enjoy having the opportunity to purchase usable items at a cheaper price. It is a win-win situation for both you and your potential buyers.

But, can a yard sale be fun as well? Of course! A fun yard sale encourages more sales, and you may even be able to have your friends and family help you.

Here are a few tips on how you can make your yard sale more fun:

• Plan a creative display. Don’t just pull out a folding table and put your display on top. Be more creative by putting on a colorful table cloth and adding artistic price tags to each items. You may also want to sort your sale items in a way that is visually appealing.
• Create advertisements. Days before your grand yard sale, create colorful posters to give away to people. You should also look into getting permission to put up a few posters within your community.
• Add some music. Install speakers within your yard sale and put on some good music. This will let people know that something fun is going on within your yard. Just remember not to make your music too loud because you want to attract people, not turn them away.
• Give fun directions. Create creative directions to your yard sale. Make a poster and add a few taglines that will cause people to stop and take notice.
• Make it a yard party, not just a yard sale. Talk to some of your friends and family about hanging out with you throughout your yard sale, selling your items, and even selling theirs as well as a thank you gesture.   If you have a few items to sell, encourage neighbors to join in and have a huge yard party that shoppers cannot resist.
• Add a theme. Create a good theme for your yard sale like a birthday party with party hats, balloons and a piñata. Or, how about a cowboy theme where everyone working the event wears cowboy hats and boots? Any theme will do as long as everyone involved joins in on the fun.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

New Online System to Reduce Long Lines at Department of Public Safety

Everyone hates waiting in long lines in government offices.  Sometimes it can take hours for your turn to speak with someone, and that can be a major concern if who work during the day and must return to work.

To reduce the long waiting time for getting or renewing a driver’s license, the Department of Public Safety offices are implementing a new online system called Inline/Online, which is an online scheduling system that allows users to reserve an appointment ahead of time. People can choose the date and time they want to go to the office on a first come-first served basis.  This way, they don’t have to worry about getting to the office early to be first in line…they just come when their appointment is scheduled.

There are seven locations in Oklahoma where the Inline/Online system can be found. Launch dates for these locations are: March 26 for Oklahoma City Southwest and Edmond, March 28 for Yukon and Norman, April 4 for Tulsa Eastgate, and April 11 for West Tulsa and Broken Arrow.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Edmond Fire Department Creates Five-Year Plan to Better Serve

Fires injure thousands of people and homes each year, and for that reason, it is crucial that fire departments be equipped with the right tools, strategies, and people on the job to provide a high quality of service, especially during a fire.

That is why the Edmond Fire Department is creating a strategic plan for the next five years. The five-year plan will help improve the department’s overall system, including their tools and equipment and response procedures.  The plan has been passing through the reviewing and approval processes, and a printed copy will be available in the next three weeks.

According to Fire Chief Jake Rhoades, the five-year plan will focus on becoming more effective and efficient by making the right decisions. They will not focus on just the lowest price when it comes to equipment, but rather on what is cost worthy and beneficial.

The creation of the department’s five-year plan is being cooperated with the members of the community as well as members of the Fire Department. Participants were given the chance to provide feedback and comments about the department and other specific details such as emergency medical services, fire prevention, and basic rescue and technical responses to disasters. Members of the department have gathered for three days to discuss the feedback of members from the community and revise their goals. They, in turn, send their revisions to a focus group.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031