NORMAN — Wildfire safety goes mobile: The American Red Cross has released its official Wildfire App.“Blaze Tracker” gives users warning, alerts and fire information for locations of their choice. The app puts lifesaving information right in the hands of people who live in or who visit wildfire prone areas. This free app is available in English or Spanish and is the fourth in a series created by the Red Cross, the nation’s leader in emergency preparedness, for use on both iPhone and Android platforms. The Wildfire App comes after the highly successful First Aid, Hurricane and Earthquake Apps, which have more than 1.2 million users.
Best Practices Conference: Oklahoma CEOs and senior executives have the opportunity to participate in the ultimate idea exchange Thursday, December 6th at the first Sharing of Best Practices Conference at Oklahoma City’s Devon Energy Center. Gov. Mary Fallin also will present the Oklahoma Quality Awards to the 2012 honorees at the full-day conference, which is hosted by the Oklahoma Quality Foundation.
Initials Inc. makes INC. 5000 list:Each year private businesses anxiously await the release of the coveted INC. 5000 list of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies. This year, Georgia based, Initials, Inc. is especially proud to have made the cut and find themselves at a rank of 1,555 out of America’s top 5,000 and ranking 77th nationwide in the retail category. Shannon Lane of Moore is an Independent Creative Partner (consultant) with Initials, Inc.
Oklahoma Pork Council feeds hungry Oklahomans:Thanks to the Oklahoma Pork Council and Blue and Gold Sausage, 7,500 pounds of sausage was donated recently to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. This donation will provide 30,000 four-ounce servings of pork to Oklahomans in need.
U.S .drops 13 to 1,826 rigs exploring for oil, gas:HOUSTON — The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. dropped this week by 13 to 1,826.
Texas-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday that 1,408 rigs were exploring for oil and 416 were searching for gas. Two were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago, Baker Hughes listed 2,021 rigs.
Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas dropped seven rigs and New Mexico fell by 5. Alaska and Oklahoma lost three apiece, and West Virginia was down by two.
Louisiana (four) and North Dakota (one) were the only states to gain rigs.
Arkansas, California, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Wyoming were unchanged.
The rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981 and bottomed at 488 in 1999.
ABWA scholarship fundraiser:The Norman chapter of American Business Women’s Association plans its first fall scholarship fundraiser bowling event.
The fundraiser will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at Sooner Bowling Center, 550 24th Ave. N.W. in Norman. Trophies will be given for first and second place, and for “worst” team and best team outfit. Cost is $25 per player. More info: Jo Ann Arps, 414-3656
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