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Riverside Romp. Tom Dittus, owner of The Blue Rose Café, is considering the possibility of a Riverfest Music & Arts Festival for August, which would feature live music from multiple genres and also space for artists to show and sell their work. The festival would also include various entertainments and vendors for people of all ages.

Tom Dittus

Roll Film. Alex Kendrick, movie producer, director, actor and a New York Times best-selling author will be the speaker at the second annual Regent Speaker's Forum. Kendrick will be speaking about making counter-culture movies. The event will take place at 7:30pm on Thursday, March 29 at Regent Preparatory School of Oklahoma, 8621 South Memorial Drive.

Kendrick is the associate pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church. In association with Sherwood Pictures, he has written, produced, directed and starred in several movies including Flywheel (2003), Facing the Giants (2006), Fireproof (2008), and the recent No. 1 box office hit Courageous (2011). He is also a New York Times best-selling author.

General admission tickets are $40. They can be purchased at rpsok.org or 918-663-1002. Seating is limited. VIP tickets and sponsorships are available.

Energized. Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) and Calpine Oneta Energy are partnering with Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology to host a "Power Up Road Shows" in March. The event is open to: adults who are interested in making a career change; high school students in technology centers; high school students in 10th through 12th grades; educators interested in learning more about outstanding career opportunities; parents interested in learning more about outstanding career opportunities.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an estimated 30 percent of the current power operators are expected to retire soon, which means there are excellent employment opportunities available. To cope with that need for new employees, the utility industry is now opening its doors and providing information about the education and work requirements for people interested in high-paying positions in their industry. The median wage for power operators in 2008 was $58,470, and an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Power Plant Technology increases a person's employability.

During the "Power Up Road Show," participants will have tours of power plants and hear presentations about career opportunities and salaries, as well as learn about the required skills and education for careers as power plant technicians and operators.

The "Power Up Road Show" consists of open houses hosted by various industries that allow students to meet with representatives and gain an understanding of the potential internship opportunities and careers that are available to students earning a degree from OSUIT.

The remaining "Power Up Road Show" is on March 29 at 6pm at Calpine Energy Center, 25142 E. 105th St. S., in Broken Arrow.

Representatives from OSUIT will also be in attendance to share information about admissions and financial aid opportunities. Free food is provided at each event. For more information on the open houses or to register to attend, please go to osuit.edu and click on the Power Up Open House link below the events calendar. You can also contact Kate Pittack at 918-293-5220 or at e-mail at kate.pittack@okstate.edu.

Rise to the Top. Leadership Oklahoma, a statewide leadership program in its 25th year, is now accepting applications for its 2012-2013 class.

The organization accepts a class of 52 members each year. Criterion for selection includes demonstrated leadership on the part of applicants in their communities and state.

The program is designed to be a series of issue-oriented forums and experiences, which are based on the belief that knowledge is a key element and prime motivator of leadership. It consists of an orientation session, a mandatory two-day retreat and eight monthly two-day sessions. Classes are held in various locations across the state that best relate to the issues being discussed.

Applications may be downloaded from the Leadership Oklahoma website at leadershipoklahoma.com. Completed applications must be received in the Leadership Oklahoma office no later than 5pm on April 2.

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