Biz Buzz

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Down the Road. Since the end of last year, Two Blokes Cycle, 1958 W. Albany in Broken Arrow, has been turning out work on local motorcycles, and it doesn't look to be finishing up soon. The shop specializes in early model British motorcycles, but it's not leaving anyone out. It's a full-service shop that ranges from custom frame work to engine work. While it hasn't officially announced a grand opening date, it's still open and rocking for business. For more information on them, visit twoblokescycle.com or call 955-0209.

Lash Perfection. Longer, fuller eyelashes have arrived in the city, and it's not just because of any influx of women. Eyelash Envy recently opened its doors on Cherry Street, 1643 E. 15th Street, and the salon is looking to make a name for itself. With services ranging from professional lash extensions to waxing to mink lashes, Eyelash Envy is providing women the opportunity to get thicker, fuller lashes in a short time span. Procedures are non-invasive and usually no more than two hours. For more information on the salon or to make an appointment, call 894-4400 or visit eyelashenvy.net.

Five Years Together. Pub crawls, networking events and several business ventures don't come up every day, but young people have been able to make it happen around Tulsa. That's especially true with the help of Tulsa Young Professionals, who will be celebrating its fifth anniversary this month. For the past five years, TyPros has been hosting several events for young business professionals to network, meet and greet and do all sorts of things not previously provided. On April 24 at Tulsa Community College, TyPros will be commemorating the five-year mark with music, food and a look-back at the past. Congrats, guys! For more information on TyPros, visit typros.org.

Reporter

Tax Help

The Internal Revenue Service is sponsoring public outreach events to assist taxpayers who may be eligible for the Health Coverage Tax Credit. The HCTC began as a ground breaking tax credit program in 2002 and was expanded as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

This credit makes health coverage more affordable by allowing eligible individuals to pay only 20 percent of their health insurance premiums each month.

Nationwide, thousands of people are potentially eligible to receive the HCTC. Some of them are displaced workers who are certified by the Department of Labor as eligible to receive Trade Readjustment Allowances under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act. The remaining others qualify because they receive benefits from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and are between 55 and 65 years of age.

The HCTC is available on a monthly basis to help individuals pay their health insurance costs as they become due or on a yearly basis when they file their federal tax return. It is a refundable tax credit and is paid in full no matter how much federal income tax an eligible individual owes.

For more information, call 1-866-628-HCTC or visit irs.gov.

Educational Visit

A delegation of educators and dignitaries from Kenya recently visited Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. With the group was Ambassador Nicholas Rateng'Oginga Ogego, Kenya's emissary to the United States, who noted the purpose of the visit was to expand existing collaboration between Moi University in Kenya and OSUIT.

"At OSUIT, I see there is a practical approach to preparing students for technical careers. They explore many ways their talents and interests can lead to a profession," Ogego said.

During their week-long visit, the delegation toured various academic areas and met with faculty and administration to gain a better understanding of OSUIT's programs, methods of instructional delivery and partnering with industry and employers. They also took advantage of the opportunity to spend some time with Kenyan students to discuss their impressions of what they were learning and how they will be able to utilize these advanced technological skills to add value to Kenya's future economy.

Manu Manohar, an OSUIT student majoring in instrumentation engineering technology, is from Kenya and is scheduled to graduate in April. He told the group OSUIT has given him a chance to pursue a major that is highly sought after by industry, "I have gained a great deal of knowledge through well educated, experienced instructors, and through extensive hands-on access to the most recent and advanced technology. I have also had a chance to apply my knowledge by interning at Georgia Pacific and participating in a Robotics competition sponsored by NASA as a mentor. As I prepare to graduate, I feel I can achieve at a very high level in the work world."

Dr. J. K. Sang, Chief Administrative Officer for Moi University, was on campus for his second visit to review the progress of the collaboration, and to determine applicable best practices for potential replication at Moi University. As Dr. Sang and the Moi University delegation were touring the campus and observing students in one of the robotics labs, he noted, "The equipment available in OSUIT's labs offer a unique opportunity for students to experience the latest technology in practice."

While in Oklahoma, the delegation spent a day touring various areas of the OSU Stillwater campus and met with OSU President Burns Hargis. They also had the opportunity to get a taste of Oklahoma through various cultural activities and events. Anita Gordy-Watkins, Vice President for University and External Relations at OSUIT, commented, "Although the week-long visit was packed, it was very productive to celebrate partnership successes. Now we have an opportunity to expand our efforts for the future."

Bare Ground

Don't you just wish that one day you could walk around without shoes and no one say anything to you? Here's your chance. Oklahoma has become the first state to recognize "One Day Without Shoes," on April 8. No matter if it's all day, part of the day or for a few minutes, the point of the cause is to recognize the importance and need of shoes for children in other countries. On Thursday, April 8, people will gather for a chance to walk barefoot in support of the cause. Hanson will lead the group from Ida Red, 3336 S. Peoria Ave., at 6pm for an approximate mile-long walk. For more information, visit onedaywithoutshoes.com.