Happening

Sit And Stand

Most of us have heard the dangers of sitting too much. But scientists are now working to figure out a formula to keep the dangers at bay with a mix of sitting, standing and stretching. A study published in September’s  American Journal of Preventive Medicine showed that even the small movement of fidgeting could be enough to counteract some of sitting’s harmful effects. Alan Hedge, a professor of ergonomics at Cornell University, recommends that for every half-hour spent sitting at an office, workers should sit for 20 minutes, stand for eight minutes and move around and/or stretch for two minutes. The case for stand-up desks and treadmill desks is as strong as ever. Companies like Varidesk and UpDesk offer workstations that can go from sitting to standing heights for desk workers who are eager to shake it up.

A Female First

Nov. 2, 2010 was an historic date in Oklahoma history. It was the day that two women – one a Democrat, the other a Republican – went head-to-head in an election that decided who would move into the governor’s mansion. Republican U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin defeated Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, a Democrat, in the election. Though it was a big win for the Republican Party in the state, it also served as a victory for women’s equality.

Clean Water Sooner

While parts of the country are still facing extreme drought, some Oklahomans are taking help from the Environmental Protection Agency to help clean up the water supply in the state. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board recently received a grant of more than $11 million to fund clean-water projects; the money will be used to provide low-interest, flexible loans to communities to help them improve water quality and infrastructure.

Sculpting Education

Casady School in Oklahoma City recently received an anonymous gift of art. Renowned Spanish artist and sculptor Jaume Plensa’s work, Marrakech’s Soul, was placed near the campus’s Founders’ Garden of the Chapel of St. Edward the Confessor. Nathan L. Sheldon, Head of Casady School, says the work is very important to Casady’s belief in the importance of providing exceptional education for students.

“Oklahoma City continues to receive national attention for its strong growth. … This world-class sculpture fits perfectly with our city’s aspirations and visions for future growth,” he says.

Among Plensa’s other notable works are The Crown Fountain, located in Chicago’s Millennium Park, and an installation on the campus of MIT.

An Apple A Day Wins

Apples account for 18.9 percent of fruit consumption by those ages 2 to 19, according to the journal Pediatrics, making it tops in this age range. Coming in second, citrus juice, like orange and grapefruit, accounts for 14.3 percent, followed by apple juice and grape juice. Bananas, the most popular fruit in America when taking into account all ages, make up 6.8 percent of children’s intake. Researchers in the study point out that eating whole fruits is more beneficial than drinking fruit juices, as the whole fruit provides valuable nutrients like fiber that juice doesn’t contain.

From Big To Small Screen

Tulsa native Amber Valletta is staying true to her hometown roots as a co-star in Blood & Oil. The model-turned-actress portrays Carla Briggs, a socialite and wife of Hap Briggs, an oil tycoon who made his fortune in the Bakken Shale in North Dakota, portrayed by Don Johnson. Carla certainly holds her own against Hap, and she proves a valuable asset when it comes to closing business deals. The show portrays the rough-and-tumble life in Rock Springs, a fictional boomtown in North Dakota. Blood & Oil, which airs on ABC on Sunday evenings, has drawn comparisons to classic ‘80s primetime soap operas like Dallas. We will gladly watch any show that allows Valletta to show off her acting chops and wear
glamorous outfits.