Happening

Oklahoma’s 2015 Christmas Ornament

Friends of the Mansion, an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit aimed at preserving and improving the historic Oklahoma Governor’s Mansion, has announced the 2015 Oklahoma Christmas ornament. This year’s ornament is a replica of the capitol building that celebrates the Capitol project and effort to relight the dome. The ornament will be a great addition to Christmas trees all over Oklahoma and is the 19th annual ornament that Friends of the Mansion has issued. The sale of the 2015 ornament benefits Friends of the Mansion and the preservation and improvement of the Governor’s Mansion.To purchase a 2015 ornament or learn more about Friends of the Mansion, visit www.fomok.org.

New findings on Diet Soda

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) has released the findings of a University of Illinois study linking diet soda consumption to an increased intake of foods loaded with cholesterol, fat, sodium and sugar. Study results show there is no scientific evidence that diet drinks increase the cravings for these type foods; individuals may use them to justify having that large order of fries, an extra piece of cake or another slice of pizza. While consumers of diet beverages take in fewer calories overall, the research indicates that the majority of people will replace those calories with junk food. People reach for diet drinks because they think it’s healthier, but the rest of their food choices may be extremely poor. The study suggests that switching to diet drinks is not necessarily a path to successful weight loss, and may, in fact, contribute to a new problem.

A New Adventure

Oklahoma City’s Lake Overholser recently celebrated the grand opening of the new Riversport Adventure Park located in the Boathouse District on its east shore. A project of the OKC Boathouse Foundation, the new park includes the renovation of two existing boathouses and the addition of adventure activities that include a free fall experience, zip line, extreme swing and climbing wall, as well as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and pedal boats. The park was made possible through a $1 million gift by The Ann Lacy Foundation. The Lake Overholser boathouse has both indoor and outdoor spaces and boasts an interactive fitness area. The Kayak Café inside the boathouse will offer coffee, smoothies and snacks. The Stroud House boathouse now features the addition of a covered deck known as the Lacy Landing. The facilities are available for rent for private parties or corporate retreats.

That’s One Big Olive

The Price Tower Arts Center’s New Year’s Eve Olive Drop celebration in Bartlesville returns for its 11th year and invites you to ring in the New Year by attending one of the most unusual New Year’s traditions in the country. The celebration inside the Price Tower Arts Center runs from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., and will include a dance party, hors d’oeuvres, live music, a front row view of the Olive Drop ceremony and a complimentary glass of champagne. Just before midnight, an enormous Styrofoam olive weighing roughly 40 pounds will begin a 55-second, 15-story descent into 2016, landing in a seven-foot-tall martini glass at the base of the skyscraper, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The “drop” itself will take place outside and is open to the public at no cost.

Who’s Best At Debt?

According to a recent study from SmartAsset, a New York financial technology company, Oklahoma City and Tulsa rank tops in Oklahoma when it comes to managing debt.  The study took into consideration four factors: credit score, average personal loan debt, credit utilization and mortgage foreclosure rates at the city level.