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Great Companies To Work For

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Great companies are all around this state. Lots of them – both large and small – offer attractive incentives, benefits and bonuses to attract the best and brightest minds and bodies. Every employee has his or her idea of what makes a great company; no two lists are going to be the same. Likewise, companies operate in different, unique corporate structures – some answer to shareholders, others to boards of directors. Still others answer to no one but themselves; the overwhelming majority of companies in Oklahoma are small, locally owned businesses. Because of this apples-to-oranges scenario, organizations listed on Great Companies To Work For are evaluated in different ways. But from the smallest company on the list this year – Principal Technologies, a professional recruiting firm that employs 18 – to the largest – the University of Oklahoma in Norman, one of the largest employers in the state – each company offers great benefits and an exciting work environment for its employees.

By no means is this a comprehensive list. We seek to spotlight a select few that are providing a great environment for their employees. In this fourth annual installment, we spotlight 45 companies representing 16 sectors – everything from aerospace and energy to transportation and tribal enterprise – that employ more than 84,000 people in Oklahoma. Oklahoma is a great place to live, work and play, and every day more people are taking notice and headed to the Sooner State.

 

See Our List of Great Companies

Additional Features:

Building Good Business

State of the Young

Great Employees Make Great Companies

Where Art and Business Meet

 

Making The Decision

There are many options to consider when choosing a senior living facility for you or a loved one. With the economic factor being one of the most pertinent, options may be limited.

Nonetheless, there are other important issues that arise when taking this step in life. With varying levels of care offered, assessing the individual’s independence level is vital.

Many facilities offer full care, resembling nursing homes, with staff physicians and caretakers to ensure every need is met. Others offer only the basics, such as housing and meals. Then there are the assisted living communities that coordinate social activities and transportation for residents. Determining specific needs for you or your loved one should be the priority when making this important life decision. Here are a few questions to guide the process.

What can I afford? No matter who is paying, this is the most important factor for the majority of people. There are many useful links on the AARP website, along with representatives over the phone to assist in finding facilities based on cost. Another fact to consider is that long-term care cost has been increasing 4.5 percent each year, which is faster than the nation’s inflation rate in general.ride-to-the-grave-shutterstock_72488815

What location is best? While most people want to stay in their home state, looking into care that is closest to family may be the best decision. If you are staying in your area, then choosing a new home based on safety and convenience is recommended. Proximity to hospitals, pharmacies and grocery stores can be a deciding factor as well. This is especially true if the facility does not offer transportation for residents.

What specific needs must be met? While the basic needs of housing and meals are first and foremost, extras can make all the difference. Active seniors will want a place filled with others they can socialize with regularly. Find out exactly what the day-to-day agenda is for each facility researched and how much freedom or down time is offered. If more medical care is needed, find out how many nurses are on staff.

These certainly are not the only questions to be asked that can lead you or your family in the right direction. You can never know if a place is right without visiting it. Take multiple tours at different times of day. Ask to speak with not only the director of the facility, but the caretakers and kitchen staff. Talk to other seniors living in the community or speak to a visiting family member if possible.

Ratings and guidelines are not the only criteria to consider. Getting to know a facility inside and out before applying can make this life-changing transition less complicated.

Once a facility is chosen, make sure you and your loved one have the necessary information for contacting an ombudsman. These are advocates that are on the senior’s side and are working to make sure everyone in assisted living facilities receives good care.

Mike Tyson: The Undisputed Truth Live On Stage

Courtesy Featureflash/Shutterstock.
Courtesy Featureflash/Shutterstock.

Thursday, Nov. 20

He was once the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. But former boxer Mike Tyson has built a career out of notoriety (cover your ears!) and unexpected turns in acting and entertainment (The Hangover movies). Next, he takes his one-man show from Las Vegas on the road and straight to the Hard Rock Tulsa Hotel & Casino, 777 W. Cherokee St., in Catoosa. Tyson delivers a knock-out show as he opens up about his life, career and his future plans. Mike Tyson: The Undisputed Truth Live On Stage, starts at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20. Tickets are $60-$75, available at www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com.

The following night, Tyson will be present when his promotion company Iron Mike Productions presents a seven-bout card featuring Tahlequah’s Wes Nofire. Tickets to the event are $42 and up.

Art Directors Block Party

Fiberoptic Angular Fish by Bryan Cooper.
Fiberoptic angler fish by Bryan Cooper.

Thursday, Nov. 20

It’s a block party unlike any other in town when the Art Directors Club of Tulsa sets up at Living Arts of Tulsa. The ADCT Sixth Annual Block Party invites all to join the fun and bidding on original pieces created out of 3.5-inch blocks of red cedar. More than 100 Tulsa artists have turned the unassuming cubes into works of art that will benefit student artists. Block Party starts at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, and will include pieces from Bryan Cooper, John Hammer and artists affiliated with the Tulsa Glassblowing Studio. Considering all the creativity thriving in Tulsa, these blocks will never again be nondescript. Living Arts is located at 307 E. Brady St., in downtown Tulsa’s Brady District. Tickets to the one-night-only exhibition Block Party are $4, and bidding on art starts at $25. For more, visit www.artdirectorsoftulsa.org.

Sergio Monteiro

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Courtesy.
Courtesy.

Thursday, Nov. 20

Acclaimed concert pianist Sergio Monteiro takes the stage at Armstrong Auditorium for a program of masterworks by Mozart, Chopin and more. Known for his fiery, fervent playing style, combined with technical mastery, Monteiro is director of piano at the Wanda L. Bass School of Music at Oklahoma City University. He will play Mozart’s Duport Variations, K. 573; Schumann Fantasy, Op. 17; Oswald’s Three Etudes, Op. 33; and Chopin’s Sonata No. 3, Op. 53. Performance is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the auditorium, 14400-B S. Bryant Road, in Edmond. Tickets are $23-$48, available at www.armstrongauditorium.org.

Chrissi Hynde

Courtesy Chuff Media.
Courtesy Chuff Media.
Courtesy Chuff Media.

Friday, Nov. 21

Rock royalty Chrissi Hynde storms the stage at the Brady Theater this week with something new. Making her name with the ‘80s band The Pretenders, Hynde released a solo album Stockholm this summer and is currently touring with it. Her show on Friday, Nov. 21, in Tulsa starts at 8 p.m. and is sure to include a few of those tunes we all love – “Brass In Pocket” and “Back on the Chain Gang.” Brady Theater is located at 105 W. Brady St. Tickets to the show – which are $35, $45 and $65 each – are available at the box office and online at www.bradytheater.com.

The Adventures of Robin Hood

Photo courtesy Visible Fictions.
Photo courtesy Visible Fictions.
Photo courtesy Visible Fictions.

Friday, Nov. 21

The Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust presents a tale of heroics both familiar and new. The Visible Fictions theater group from Scotland will share a different take on the old Sherwood Forest hero. The Adventures of Robin Hood, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, brings a pair of warriors seeking justice for the common folk to the stage in an unexpected treatment of the English legend. The fun takes place at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center’s John H. Williams Theatre, 110 E. Second St. Tickets are $10, and the show is appropriate for all ages. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.myticketoffice.com.

Eastern Flyer Polar Express

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Courtesy.

Starts Friday, Nov. 21

The Eastern Flyer commuter passenger train becomes the Eastern Flyer Polar Express, which begins boarding for the “North Pole” on Friday, Nov. 21. Inspired by the classic children’s book The Polar Express and a film adaptation of the same name, the holiday attraction boards from the Bristow Historic Museum, a restored train depot in the Creek County town. As in the story, children enjoy a ride in the pajamas aboard a train filled with singing staff, elves and activities. When the train arrives at its destination, Santa will be there to greet families.

The Polar Express will continue most nights through Dec. 28 with afternoon and evening departure times. Excursions are about one hour round-trip, and tickets start at $25 for ages 2-12 years and $35 for adults. Visit www.easternflyerpolarexpressride.com for a detailed schedule, availability and advanced ticket purchases (which are recommended).

Philbrook Festival of Trees

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Courtesy.
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Opens Saturday, Nov. 22

If you haven’t caught the holiday spirit yet, the Philbrook Festival of Trees will change that. The 30th annual display and sale of holiday arts, trees and décor starts Saturday, Nov. 22, at Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S. Rockford Road, near Tulsa’s Brookside neighborhood. A favorite of Tulsans, Festival of Trees delights with special events through Dec. 14. One of those events is Garden Glow, the holiday lights display event in the museum gardens from 5-8 p.m. Saturday. Stroll the decorated halls and enjoy the festivities. General admission to Festival of Trees is $10-$12, but the festival is free for ages 17 and under, museum members and to all on Second Saturday events. Garden Glow is free to the public. Festival of Trees benefits museum education programming. For a complete schedule and other details for shoppers, visit www.philbrook.org.

Kids’ World International Festival

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Courtesy.

Wednesday, Nov. 19-Saturday, Nov. 22

Youth can explore other cultures in one location in Tulsa during Kids’ World International Festival at Expo Square, 4145 E. 21st St. The annual event hosted by Tulsa Global Alliance opens Wednesday, Nov. 19, and runs through Saturday, Nov. 22. The event is a favorite of schools, too, as it introduces children to the customs, languages and traditions of countries around the globe through booths set up and tended by people familiar with the lands represented. Guests can visit booths, which are filled with fun activities and more. Tickets to Kids’ World International Festival are $3 to $4 each. For more information, visit www.tulsaglobalalliance.org.