Oklahoma State Questions on the Ballot #2

Last week we gave an overview of SQ 744- 1 of 11 questions on the Oklahoma State Ballot for November 2010. Today, we will discuss the second of the eleven Oklahoma state questions- SQ 746.

SQ 746: This measure amends statutes relating to voting requirements. It requires that each person appearing to vote present a document proving their identity.

The document must meet the following requirements: It must have the name and photograph of the voter. It must have been issued by the federal state or tribal government. It must have an expiration date that is after the date of the election. No expiration date would be required on certain identity cards issued to persons 65 years of age and older.

In lieu of such document, voters could present voter identification cards issued by the County Election Board.

A person who cannot or does not present the required identification may sign a sworn statement and cast a provisional ballot. Swearing to a false statement would be felony.

Those proof-of-identity requirements also apply to in-person absentee voting. If adopted by the people, the measure would become effective July 1, 2011.

This information taken from "Do You Have the Answers?" by Sid Sperry published in Oklahoma Living Magazine.

For more information about SQ 746 or any other question on November 2, 2010 ballot, visit the www.okpolicy.org website.

For your Tulsa, OK area residential real estate needs, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

SQ 744 To read about SQ 744 click on the link to the left.

Easy Ways to Fit in Exercise!

It seems like these days just about everyone knows that exercise is one of the most important factors in good health and longevity. For many of us though, getting to the gym or devoting time just for exercise can be difficult. There's work everyday, taking the kids to school, running errands, paying bills, cooking, yard work, and even cleaning the house. After taking care of all of those things, where can you fit exercise? Well, read on for some ideas to fit in exercise, because it's simpler than you think. (Calories burned are an estimate based on 60 minutes of activity for a 150 pound person)

1. Packing Suitcase for Vacation- 144 calories
2. Ironing Clothes- 153
3. Washing Dishes- 153
4. Pushing a Stroller with a Child- 180
5. Cooking Dinner- 180
6. Loading and Unloading the Car- 216
7. Carpentry Work- 252
8. Walking or Running Play with Your Kids- 270
9. Raking the Lawn- 270
10. Push Mowing your Yard- 297
11. Washing the Car- 306
12. Painting the House- 342
13. Cleaning the Gutters- 360
14. Gardening- 369
15. Construction or Remodeling Work- 396
16. Rearranging Furniture- 450

So next time you think you have too much to do to exercise, think again! Pick an activity and get going. For more information on calories burned during different activities, check the website: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc.

For all your Tulsa, OK real estate needs, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

There are many things in life that can cause frustration. Buying and selling your Tulsa, OK home, dealing with a difficult boss, and even rush hour traffic. At times, you might even find yourself so irritated that you feel like you have become an angry beast. Whether it's daily life or your real estate transaction that has precipitated the anger read on to help tame that angry beast.

• Write in a journal. When you find yourself getting angry over that seller or buyer that simply won't budge, consider writing in a journal. For some people, this is the perfect way to release the tension and anger without causing harm to your health, your relationships, or yourself.

• Find a stress reliever. Relieving stress can be done in many ways. Some very popular and productive ways include exercising, doing a project, or working around the house. You might find that taking a drive or simply deep breathing works well for you. Experiment, whatever you find that works for you, remember to do it often.

• Take an adult time out. Probably all of us have heard of time out when it comes to kids. but very few of us take a time out ourselves. When you begin to get angry over that real estate problem, take a time out. You may need to take a break from whatever is causing the anger and give yourself a few minutes before you continue with it.
• Change your thinking. Sometimes we make the situation worse because we assume something. If your real estate agent says something that offends you or does something that makes you mad, think the best of them. It is likely that they didn't intend it to come across that way. If you have the courage, ask them about it. It is probably just a misunderstanding.

Remember that anger and stress can bring on a multitude problems including relationship issues, high blood pressure, heart attacks and much more. Before allowing anger over a real estate problem get the best of you, ask yourself if it is worth it.

For all your Tulsa, OK. real estate needs, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhoward.com.

The Ice House Fitness Center of Bixby, OK sponsors Chik-Fil-A World Record Attempt

Today starting 4pm at Nienhuis Park (3201 North 9th Street, Broken Arrow, OK,) Chik-Fil-A will attempt the world's largest sweet tea!  Will you be there? Come to the Ice House Fitness Center tent and meet four of The Biggest Loser final three contestants; Danny Cahill, Darus, Sean and Amanda.

The Ice House 24 hour fitness center is located in historic downtown Bixby, OK. visit www.icehousefitness.com for more information.

Emailing tweet from: dbaskin (dbaskin)

dbaskin: Support Teaching Tulsa's young people valuable financial skills. Donate $5 to Junior Achievement. Text: INVEST JAOK to 20222

Original Tweet:
http://twitter.com/dbaskin/status/20173080870

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Darryl Baskin
The Baskin Real Estate Specialists
McGraw Realtors
8040 S. Sheridan Rd.
Tulsa, OK 74133

918.258.2600 Ofc
918.398.5110 fax
918.740.0077 cel

www.DarrylBaskin.com
www.BaskinCommercial.com
www.TulsaLuxuryPropertyGroup.com

Make a difference in a child's life. Speak for a child in court. www.TulsaCasa.org

Bootcamp - Access Fitness Claremore

What NOT to do with Your Credit Card!

For most of us, using a credit card has become a way of life.  To improve our credit score, or keep our credit score high, and keep those credit cards available remember what NOT TO DO!

1.  Seek a lower rate.  Although asking for a lower rate can be a good thing sometimes, keep in mind that when you ask for a lower rate, credit card issuers will often check your credit score or credit report or even question you about your financial situation.  Once you ask for a lower rate, companies will often treat you as if you are a new customer and check your most recent credit history.  If you have had any credit problems that show up in your credit report, this could actually cause your credit limit to be lowered or your account closed.  To prevent this, check your credit report before you ask the credit card company for a lower rate.

2.  Close your account.  If may seem that closing your account would improve your credit score, but it may not.  Credit bureaus use the information from these creditors to track your information and give you a score.  When there is too little information, it will actually cause your score to decrease.  Closing an account will not remove any information from your credit history right away.  It can take up to 7 years for delinquencies to get off your record.  In addition, credit bureaus use the information they get from your credit report to figure the "debt-to-limit ratio".  When you close an account that already has a zero balance it will cause your available credit to decrease which raises that debt-to-limit ratio.  Instead of closing the account you owe nothing on, consider reducing the balances on other credit card accounts.

Remember that a lower credit score makes it more difficult to get a loan for school, a car, or a mortgage.  Keep your credit score high and you will increase your chances of getting that much needed loan next time you want to buy a car or a home.

Read more from this Tulsa World article "Safety in the Credit Card Ring", here.


To buy or sell a home in the Tulsa, OK area, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com

New Area Code

By  now, probably most everyone in the 918 area has heard that we will be getting a new area code.  It will no longer be simply 918.  Now we will be adding area code 539.  The hardest part for most of us will be getting adjusted to using a 10 digit phone number every time we call.  To ensure that we are all ready for the new area code and 10 digit calling, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission has set up a practice period before the 10 digit calling is required.  Keep these dates in mind:

• July 7, 2010- You should have received a notice in the mail with dates and information about the new area code.
• August 7, 2010-  "Permissive Calling Period Begins"-  you can call using 7 or 10 digits.
• March 5, 2011- "Permissive Calling Period Ends"-  you will now be required to use the 10 digit number.
• April 1, 2011-  New 539 area codes will be available.  You can also request a 918 area code phone number if one is available.
• Spring 2012- 918 area code phone numbers are expected to run out.
  

The same long distance rules will apply for the 539 area code.  Simply put, if you can call a 918 area code now without long distance, you will be able to call 918 or 539 without long distance.  If you pay long distance to call 918, then you will also pay for the 539 area code

Sutherlands to be Reborn

The former Sutherlands Lumber big box retail building will soon have a new life.  One anchor tenant will be Planet Fitness.  Spaces will range from 10,000 to 43,750 square feet.  For information about this and other commercial properties available in the Broken Arrow, OK area, contact Darryl Baskin at 918-740-0077 or www.BaskinCommercial.com

Healthier Living in Oklahoma Cities

House Committee Passes Legislation Encouraging Healthier Living in Oklahoma Cities

Legislation attempting to make Oklahoma a healthier state through local efforts promoting healthy behavior and personal responsibility unanimously passed House committee this week.

            Senate Bill 1818 creates the Oklahoma Certified Healthy Communities Act. The bill directs the State Health Department to maintain a program for the voluntary certification of communities that promote wellness, encourage the adoption of healthy behaviors and establish safe and supportive environments.

            Under the bill, towns could become official "healthy communities" if they provide amenities such as walking trails, farmer's markets, and similar benefits for residents.

            The bill passed the House Public Health Committee with a vote of 15-0 and will next be considered by the full House

7 Steps to Exercising Before Work

 

 

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7 Steps to Exercising Before Work

via How to of the Day on 3/16/10

If you're not excited about exercising after work because you feel tired and lunchtimes are already too busy, a great plan can be to start exercising before work. Exercising in the early morning can give you an energetic boost and lift your mood before the day begins; it certainly clears out the sleepy cobwebs! This article explains how to get started on being active before work.

 

 

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Your Heart! The most important muscle in your body.

Giving your heart a health make over will improve the way you feel, give you energy, even help you live longer.

FIRST THINGS FIRST *******NUMBERS YOU NEED TO KNOW*******

BLOOD PRESSURE- measures the force of blood against the walls of your arteries. The top number (systolic) is the pressure of blood flow when the heart beats; the bottom number(diastolic) is the pressure when your heart is relaxing.

Aim for

• 120/80 mm Hg or less

CHOLESTEROL- A strong heart needs healthy blood vessels that have a smooth lining.

There's two types of cholesterol good(HDL) and bad(LDL) cholesterol.

• LDL chol.-can cause fatty plaque in the walls of the arteries
• HDL chol.- removes excess LDL from the arteries and delivers it to the liver for disposal

Aim for

• Total Cholesterol below 200 mg/dl
• LDL (bad) below 100 mg/dl
• HDL (good) above 50 mg/dl

TRIGLYCERIDES-This blood fat fuels muscles but, in excess, is stored in the fat cells and in the liver.

Aim for

• Below 150 mg/dl

BLOOD SUGAR-Someone with the precondition has a 1.5-fold higher risk of getting heart disease than a healthy person: if you have type 2 diabetes the risk is 2 to 4 times higher.

Aim for

• Fasting glucose level of up to 100 mg/dl
  

Tom Hopkins' new web site is launched!

My new health and wellness web site http://tomhopkins6.com/ is up and running.  This is designed to be a blog site 

keeping you informed about staying healthy as well as the happenings and the status of my Fit Forever Book series. We just finished the photo shoot for

FIT FOREVER- The Next Step due to release this summer. 

 

You may notice the number "6" included in the name of the site, http://tomhopkins6.com .  The "6" sets me apart from the Tom Hopkins who is the sales training guru. The significance of the "6" twofold:  it is my favorite number that I wore throughout my baseball career, as did my son, Stephen.  Also, there are "6" driving principles behind the Fit Forever Book Series: Health, Wellness, Balance, Body, Mind and Spirit. 

 

I'll be adding much more to my site in the days to come.  You may want to check out the Valentine's Day tip and recent blog on my friend, Danny Cahill, Biggest Loser 2009.  Be sure to subscribe to my site on the home page under email subscription.  We'll have a drawing for some giveaways in the days to come. 

Lastly, I'd love to hear your comments on the home page, so feel free to give me some feedback! 

 

 

May God bless you greatly in 2010!   
--
Tom Hopkins

918.549.0259
http://www.tomhopkins6.com
http://www.fitforeverbook.com
http://www.gHPyouthformula.com/tomhopkins
http://www.gHPsport.com/tomhopkins
http://www.southparktulsa.com/

Bixby Fighter Prepares for Match

Bixby's Derek Pressler works out at www.icehousefitness.com preparing for his nearing MMA fight in Kansas City, MO January 15th. More information at Ticketmaster.com

Upward Basketball

Bixby First United Methodist Church offers Upward basketball program- a league for boys that focuses on good sportsmanship and integrates biblical truths and values. Www.fumcbixby.org

Lisa Vining prepares training program at the www.IceHouseFitness.com in Bixby, OK