Biz Buzz

Rockin' Town. For the second year in a row, Tulsa's BOK Center, has been nominated by the Academy of Country Music for Venue of the Year.

The BOK Center hosted George Strait with Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Hank Williams Jr., Brooks & Dunn, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley.

Venue of the Year is an off-camera award presented at the annual "ACM Honors" event held in Nashville, Tenn., at a later date. The award is considered a part of the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards and will be voted on by the professional membership of the Academy.

The BOK Center will be competing for the award against First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre of Chicago; Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion of Gilford, N.H; Ryman Auditorium of Nashville; and Sprint Center of Kansas City, Mo.

With Child. Officials with the Oklahoma State Department of Health are seeking comments from the public regarding a federal grant that provides important health services to mothers and children. Comments must be received before May 2, 2011.

Public input is needed in the development of a State Plan for Services for the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant (Title V of the Social Security Act) for the 2012 fiscal year. The grant provides federal funds for the Maternal and Child Health program, whose primary goal is to improve the health status of pregnant women, mothers, infants, and children, including children with special health care needs. Funds from the block grant assure that these groups, particularly those with low income or with limited availability of services, have access to quality maternal and child health care services.

The long-term outcomes for these services include the following:

• Reduce infant mortality.

• Provide comprehensive care for women before, during and after pregnancy and childbirth.

• Provide preventive and primary care services for infants and children.

• Provide comprehensive care for infants and children with special health needs.

• Facilitate immunization of all infants and children.

• Reduce adolescent pregnancy.

• Prevent injury and violence.

• Put into community practice national standards and guidelines for prenatal care, for healthy and safe child care, and for the health supervision of infants and children.

• Assure access to care for all mothers, infants and children.

• Meet the nutritional and developmental needs of mothers, infants, children and their families.

A copy of the current plan may be viewed by visiting:

perfdata.hrsa.gov.

Comments should be forwarded to: Suzanna D. Dooley, Title V MCH Director, Maternal and Child Health Service, Oklahoma State Department of Health, 1000 N.E. 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73117; email: suzannad@health.ok.gov or phone 405-271-4480.

Stop and Go. AAA Oklahoma is accepting nominations for its new Adult Crossing Guard of the Year Awards.

School administrators, faculty, staff, parents, students and the public are invited to describe why they believe their Oklahoma candidate deserves the Adult Crossing Guard of the Year designation. Self-nominations are also being accepted. AAA Oklahoma staff will evaluate candidates and select the finalists for the awards based on dedication, friendliness, professionalism and safety.

Once finalists are selected, their performance and duties will be evaluated by AAA Oklahoma staff. The top three finalists who demonstrate the best example of the procedures and responsibilities as outlined in AAA's Handbook for Adult Crossing Guards will be honored with special recognition trophies. Winners will be announced on April 18th, 2011.

The deadline for submitting nominations is March 11, 2011. Nomination forms can be submitted online at aaa.com.

Breathe New Life. The Cherokee Heritage Center will kick-off its 48th year and 2011 season with the unveiling of Resurgence, a specially designed statue by Cherokee artist Daniel HorseChief. The unveiling will be on Feb. 10 at 11am. Join the festivities at Cherokee Heritage Center, 21192 S. Keeler Dr., Park Hill, OK.

Following the unveiling, guests will be provided a private tour of the pilot homes and area of the new outdoor living exhibit, which will reflect Cherokee life during the early 18th century. The project planning and design phase was recently completed following a four-year process and is now in preliminary development.

Resurgence by Daniel HorseChief will be on permanent display in the atrium of the Cherokee Heritage Center. The nearly 12 feet tall artwork represents an old style of craftsmanship blended with a unique new design. Resurgence represents the Cherokee people's ability to overcome adversity with pride and integrity.

For additional information, please contact the Cherokee Heritage Center at 888-999-6007, email at info@cherokeeheritage.org or visit cherokeeheritage.org.

Dancing Cause. Sure it's cold outside, but warm up at the Wild Hearts Ball and help us burn the mortgage. Be at the 10th Anniversary event on Saturday, Feb. 12 at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, 621 E. 4th St. from 7-11pm.

Party dress is appropriate and the night will include a cash Bar, hot firefighters on duty, raffles, great food and more. Admission price is $15 and all proceeds go toward paying off the mortgage.

Ten years ago the very first Wild Hearts Ball was a major fundraiser for a permanent home for the Gay Community Center. Ten years later, the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is among the nation's largest and leading gay community centers. Be a part of this historic night and help us raise the funds to reduce the $40,000 indebtedness left on our $1.5 million facility.

Registration is also now open for the Conference for Change scheduled for Feb 16-17. For more information, visit okeq.org.

Where Credit is Due. The Oklahoma Humanities Awards honor outstanding contributions of individuals, organizations and projects to the understanding of the humanities in Oklahoma.

Receiving the highest award for his record of teaching, research and outreach is Dr. Peter C. Rollins, Emeritus Professor of English and American Film Studies at Oklahoma State University. Other recipients include The Inasmuch Foundation; Dr. Sara Jane Richter; The American Indian Resource Center; Newkirk Journey Stories; Dr. Anita R. May; Cindy Hulsey and Laura Raphael.

The public is welcome to join these awardees at a formal awards dinner to be held Feb. 24 in Oklahoma City. To purchase a table or individual seats for the dinner, call Traci Jinkens at 405-235-0280.