Biz Buzz

New Faces. The Tulsa Hotel and Lodging Association has new officers that have taken over governing duties. THLA's membership consists of local area hotel and travel industry professionals and allied hospitality industry company representatives with the purpose of providing economic, educational and social programs and to support non-profit organizations such as the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, the American Cancer Society's Heartland Division Guest Room Program, American Red Cross, First Tee and the Tulsa Area United Way. The new officers consist of: president, Michael Frimel of Hotel Ambassador; vice president, Jeff Price of Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center; and treasurer, Jim Barnard of Post Oak Lodge. THLA members represent more than 4,300 guest rooms in the Tulsa area. For more information, visit tulsahotels.org.

Mile Marker. The Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice has created a milestone for its organization by hiring its first full-time program director. Jeff Matthews has taken on the position and brings to it a wealth of knowledge. A Tulsa native, Matthews has worked for a number of years in Texas. He graduated from Edison High School and continued his education at Texas Christian University. After earning his degree, Matthews spent a great deal of his career working for Helicopter Textron and the Fort Worth Opportunity Center. He has also dealt with a number of nonprofit organizations such as National Conference of Christians and Jews and Camp Anytown in Texas. The Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating bias, bigotry and racism. The organization advocates dialogue and conducts programs that promote respect and understanding among people of all racial, religious and cultural lines. For more information, visit occjok.org or call 583-1361.

Fresh Start. Jan Kelley, assistant director of RSVP Tulsa, has formerly announced her resignation to turn over a new leaf--literally. Kelley will be the new Director of Development and Communication for A New Leaf Inc. She starts the position March 1. In her announcement, Kelley said, "I have truly enjoyed working with the staff, board and volunteers of RSVP Tulsa, Inc. but look forward to this new opportunity to service my community." A New Leaf, Inc. uses horticultural therapy to provide children and adults with disabilities life skills and job training. For more information, visit anewleaf.org.

Reporter

Brewing a Habit

The Division of Continuing Education and the Marshall Brewing Company will hold a two-part class on the art, quality and enjoyment of Marshall Beer.

The Division of Continuing Education and Topeca Coffee will be offering a two-part class on coffee. John Gaberino III of Topeca Coffee will lead a two-part class on the process "from seed to cup" of coffee. Topeca Coffee is one of the only seed-to-cup coffee companies in the world. During this two-part class, we will discuss the realities and complexities of growing and processing coffee in today's market. The class will taste and comment on all the wonderful and different coffees of Topeca. Hosted Feb. 18 & 25, 2010 at 6:30-8:30pm. Cost $19. Call 631-2937 for more information.

Women on the Move

The City of Tulsa Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women and The Tulsa Women's Foundation will honor 2010 Pinnacle Award recipients with a reception at 7pm, March 9, in the BS Roberts Room, OSU-Tulsa, 700 N. Greenwood Avenue.

The Pinnacle Awards honor Tulsa-area women who are role models in their professions, take risks on behalf of others, perform voluntary community service, and demonstrate a commitment to women's issues and concerns. Proceeds from the reception will fund scholarships to individual women who have adversely been affected by recent economic conditions. Scholarships can be used to further education, help women with start-up businesses or provide other resources for improving employment stature.

Recipients of the 2010 Pinnacle Awards and their respective categories are: Pat Woodrum, Arts & Humanities; Julie Gustafson, Community Service; Kelli Bailey, Corporate/Business; Sister Mary Clare Buthod, Education; Phyllis Lauinger, Health; and Christina Senger, Rising Star.

The winner of this year's Spirit Award is Pam Rask, an innovative leader in the public health arena. With 23 years experience, her professional activities focus on women's and children's issues. The Spirit Award is presented to a woman who has overcome extraordinary circumstances, which allowed her to demonstrate a commitment to and take action that benefited the community at large.

Sponsorships are still available. For additional information or to sponsor the event, contact Keeley Mancuso, The Tulsa Women's Foundation at 850-1540 or healing4you@sbcglobal.net.

Reaching the Stars

Four seniors at Jenks High School have been named candidates for the 2010 Presidential Scholars Program. Sheema Golbaba, Samuel Morton, Kevin Thomas, and Kyle Thompson are among the thousands of students across the nation to receive one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors.

Three of these students, Morton, Thomas, and Thompson are among the 3,000 students eligible for the program's academic component, which is based on outstanding scores on the SAT or ACT exam. All three Jenks seniors earned a perfect score on their ACT. Further consideration will be based on the students' school transcripts and recommendations, as well as the essays, self-assessments, and descriptions of activities which must be completed as part of the application process. Of those who are eligible, only 121 students will be selected as Presidential Scholars.

Sheema Golbaba, also a senior at Jenks High School, has been named one of 60 Presidential Scholars in the Arts candidates, and she is Oklahoma's first finalist in the Cinematic Arts category.

Golbaba was among the 6,500 students who participated in the annual youngARTS competition conducted by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. Her film secured her nomination as a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. Of the 60 students in this category, up to 20 will be selected as Presidential Scholars in the Arts.

The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of 32 citizens appointed by the President, will select the finalists, and the U.S. Department of Education will announce the Scholars in May. Scholars will be invited to Washington, DC, for several days in June to receive the Presidential Scholars medallion at a recognition ceremony and to participate in events and activities with their elected representatives, educators, and other leading public figures.