8 p.m. Saturday performance
Enid Symphony Hall, 301 W. Broadway

Enid's own Brad Richter will be in Enid this weekend to entertain us with his magical guitar playing skills. Recognized as one of the leading guitarists and guitar composers of the 21st century, Brad Richter has reinvigorated the guitar repertoire with a freshness that transcends all genres.

Richter will be here this weekend for a concert sponsored by Enid Arts and Humanities Council with assistance from the Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Richter and duo partner Viktor Uzur, will play a mixture of classical, folk and rock music.

Tickets are $10 and available at Leonardo's Discovery Warehouse, Midwest Music and Davinci's Coffee House. Call 233-3783 for information.

Visit his website for more information and song samples. Brad's Website

I know Enid can be fickle and Enid lives on fast food and the good old buffet. But there are a few things that Enid has had in the past or could really use in the future. If done well, I repeat, if done well, I think these things could make it in Enid, America.

1. Ice Cream!! An ice cream shop that does not sell food.
2. Ski Rental!! Doesn't anyone ski anymore? Coats, gloves, argh!!
3. Sea Food Anyone? Can we not support a seafood restaurant?
4. Bakery/Pastry Shop. Good bread, pastries, croissants... hello?
5. Movie Theatre. A well run, reliable theatre, please!!
6. more to come...

I applaud Enid for supporting businesses like The Bike Shop, B Hip Kids, The Basket Case, CM Miller, Port Lugano, Cliff's Camera Shop, Cafe Davinici, Maria Rae's and many other small, locally created companies. We need more!

What other businesses do you think Enid could use? Give an entrepreneur an idea and list your suggestions in the comment section below.

These are the types of places that people will drive miles to visit. People will go out of their way to find niche shops, specialty stores and experts in their field of business.

Talk to the Chamber, the City and the folks at the Business Incubator about starting your own business and let's make Enid the entrepreneurial capital of Oklahoma!

Update: I did receive a call this evening from CNB notifying me that my card had been canceled. Of course I already knew that. I also dug up this information about where the problem originated:

Leading credit card processor Heartland Payment Systems announced on Tuesday that it has suffered an apparent massive data breach. The Princeton, N.J.-based company said it discovered last week that intruders loaded data-capturing malware onto its systems, allowing them to compromise credit and debit card numbers as they traversed the network, Heartland said in a statement.

The company, which provides processing and payment solutions to more than 250,000 companies, did not reveal how many card numbers potentially were exposed to hackers. But Heartland handles more than four billion transactions each year, according to its website. No Social Security or PIN numbers were involved.


Old Post:

Well, I have not been able to use my CNB debit card for two days now. After calling them I have been notified that my card no longer works and I will not have a new one for about 10 days. Thanks for the heads up CNB!

This is at least the second time this has happened and I don't blame CNB, but it would be nice to at least be notified that I can no longer pay for anything unless I use a check or credit card and that every account I have online that pays for things automatically will no longer work. So now I get to spend the next few weeks tracking down and changing account numbers.

So, if you only carry a CNB debit card to pay for things, beware. They may be told to cut up your card.

Sigh...

The Enid Public School board has agreed to change from the age old junior high concept to a middle school concept in the fall.

For the 2009-10 school year, Enid schools will change to: elementary school will include pre-kindergarten through fifth grade; middle school will include sixth grade through eighth grade; and high school will now be ninth grade through 12th grade.

The change in the grade locations will create more room in the elementary schools. Enid elementary schools are on the verge of overflow and this will save the city from having to build another school.

The Public Library of Enid & Garfield County announces Make It Click! Series

Use the internet to make bread? Want to know what breed of cat is right for you?

On Saturday, January 17th, the Public Library of Enid & Garfield County will offer the first of it's Make It Click! Series. Beginning at 2 p.m. with 'Recipes & More', this guided internet search course will show you how to use the internet to find tips, tricks & tutorials. Learn to search for a recipe by diet, cuisine & even ingredient.

Other installments include 'Pets' on February 14th, 'Holiday Meal Planning' on March 28th, 'Quiltmaking' on April 18th, and 'Breadmaking' on May 9th.

Because class size is limited, please call the Library at (580) 234-6313 to register or for more information.

With a worth of around $4 billion, Harold Hamm is not only Enid's richest man but one the the wealthiest men in the world. Mr. Hamm is the owner of Continental Resources, an oil and gas company located right here in Enid.

Hamm is featured as part of the latest Forbes Magazine. If you've ever wondered what it is that Continental Resources does and how they became one of the top oil explorers in the country, hop on over and read this revealing article on Forbes.com.

Harold Hamm Article

Stalking Awareness Month!
January is National Stalking Awareness Month! This year's theme, "Stalking: Know It. Name It. Stop It." challenges the nation to combat this dangerous crime by learning more about it.
* Did you know you can be stalked by your current spouse or partner?
* Do you know how stalkers use technology to harass, harm and cause fear?
* Did you know that 1 in 12 women will be stalked in their lifetime?

How you can help:
1) Collect/Donate items for Anti-Stalking Kits! Provided to victims free of charge, the kits contain, at minimum, a safety plan, notebook, pen, safety whistle, YWCA contact information, information on Oklahoma stalking laws and a stalking incident log. The kit encourages victims to take an active role to increase their own safety and collect and organize important information.

ITEMS NEEDED: small flashlights, disposable cameras and used cell phones w/ chargers (it still calls 911!)

2) Schedule a YWCA presentation. The theme for Stalking Awareness Month encourages us to educate ourselves! Invite the YWCA to present information about domestic violence, teen dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, technology safety, bullying, YWCA services and many more topics. Great for classrooms, social and civic groups, church groups, youth groups, professionals... anyone wanting to learn!

visit www.stalkingawarenessmonth.org

The widening of west Garriott is close to an end. A fifth middle lane has been added from Johnson to Fillmore for drivers needing to turn left along the road. There has been much speculation as to why the street was not widened along Taylor, Polk and Tyler near the homes of Norman Lamb and the Champlin Mansion. I'll leave that to the rumor mill until I have absolute proof as to the reasons.

My prediction for 2009 was that there would be no left turn signs put up to stop drivers from trying to turn left onto Taylor, Polk, Tyler and Sequoyah. Well, I was wrong. Instead of no left turn signs they have now created a concrete median in the middle of the street to prevent any turning at all. Drivers entering Garriott from any of those side streets are now prevented from turning left onto Garriott.

Kudos for widening part of west Garriott and just plain confusion as to why a large part of the street is now worse off than it was before. I'll just scratch my head and ponder.

If you know why this was done and can back up your reasoning with fact please let us know.

In case you had not heard...


Suddenlink deal
The Suddenlink cable system has reached an agreement with Fox Sports Oklahoma to air Oklahoma City Thunder telecasts in Stillwater and Enid. Suddenlink customers in other state communities, including Chickasha, Purcell, Pauls Valley, Seminole and Weatherford, will continue to receive alternate programming from the network.

"Fox Sports required a significant and unanticipated per-customer surcharge for the Thunder games," said Suddenlink Senior Vice President Pete Abel. "In the current economic environment, we could not absorb this expense in all of our Oklahoma cable systems, but we did agree to pay the surcharge in our two largest Oklahoma cable systems, Stillwater and Enid. We hope we can find a way to economically add the Thunder games in our remaining Oklahoma systems in the future."

The old Oakwood clubhouse is closed and things are being prepared for a new building. With the changes in size and design there are hundreds of items that will need to be sold to clear the way for new stuff.

You will be able to bid on some great items including kitchenware, furniture, dishes, table cloths, glassware and much, much more.

The Oakwood auction will take place on Thursday, January 29th at 10:00 a.m. in the Oakwood ballroom. Mark your calendars and arrive early.

Here is a list of items that will be auctioned...

auctionlist.pdf

Don't be surprised in Enid - 2009 if...

1. Another gas station is turned into a car lot
2. We get a foot of snow in March
3. A clothing store in the mall closes
4. A bank leaves town
5. A Cattle Company moves to town
6. Home prices drop
7. A neat treat place opens
8. An old Enid landmark closes
9. No left turn signs appear on W. Garriott
10. A major corporation takes a look at Enid
11. A local event makes national news...

What are your predictions for Enid- 2009? Post them in the comments area and we'll see who can see into the future.

It's a new year and that means the old is out and the new is in. There are a few things going on around town as far as openings and closings...

The old Video Twin is under major construction at the moment. Riffel and Riffel are building offices at 3517 W. Garriott in the old movie building. Craig Riffel said the plan is to use 6,000 square feet of the 16,000 available footage in the building for a law office, and extend the east side of the building with a new front. The remainder of the building also will be remodeled for office space.

Rex Appliance in the mall is closing up shop. The low volume store will be wrapping things up once all inventory is sold. The Rex chain is only closing select stores at this time.

S Boutique is liquidating their Enid store. S Boutique's Enid, Oklahoma store is located in the Heritage Hills Shopping Center at Willow and N Cleveland. Opened in 2002 and originally called the 'Silver Loft' it earned a reputation for silver fashion jewelry. In 2003 the store expanded to include an offering of clothing and accessories and moved to the current location. Stephanie and David purchased the store in November 2005 and soon opened another store in Edmond.

Pioneer Equipment Rental & Supply is constructing a new building on North Van Buren (west side). Established in 1998, Pioneer Equipment Rental & Supply is ranked in RER's top 100 equipment rental companies. They are a leading independent rental company specializing in the rental and sales of equipment for homeowners, construction, earth moving, and material handling customers.

New storage units are being built on the east side of North Van Buren while more storage units just opened on West Garriott near the Stratford House Inn.

Speaking of the Stratford House Inn, they are nearing a complete remodel of their hotel.

Pictures coming soon on all of these stories.

Pin Pals is currently taking registration for their K - 1st bowling league.
H.E.S. presents their very first event for 2009.
Join them for our first bowling league.
4 players per team, you may enter your own team.
For more information: contact Samuel Hill at 580-484-3519.
For more information visit the Website at: www.hessportsclub.com
limited space so sign up now!!

Originally from Enid, Oklahoma, soprano BROOKE BRYANT is a PhD candidate in Historical Musicology at CUNY Graduate Center, where she is also enrolled in the Renaissance certificate program.

Brooke is a songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist. She met Fran Cathcart, a Grammy award-winning producer and the owner of East Side Sound, in 2004, and the two began recording music together.

Since early 2006, Brooke's shows have filled NYC hotspots like Sin-e, The Knitting Factory, Pianos, Trash Bar and Fontanas. Her live shows are a catharsis via razor sharp guitar riffs, rhythmic variation and searing vocal lines.

Brooke is particularly fond of Baroque music. She wrote her senior thesis at Wellesley College on Baroque gesture. She currently sings in and is co-artistic director of Prometheus, a Baroque performance ensemble that she co-founded with Sean Parr in 2004. She also performs with Charites, an all-female trio.

Learn more about Brooke below...

www.brookebryant.com

www.charitesmusic.com/charites%20bryant.html

Greater Enid Young Professionals is having an organizational meeting Tuesday, January 6th 6:00p.m. at Callahan's.

If anyone is interested in joining the group, or has input on the future they would love for you to be there. Even if you don't want to come to the meeting, but want to receive future emails and information, please contact Robert at Robert@faulklawfirm.com.

The first weekend in 2009 starts Enid off with several fun events...

First Friday
Downtown businesses sponsor First Friday on the 1st Friday evening of each month. Local and area musicians will perform free entertainment at shops, restaurants and galleries. Enjoy downtown Enid this weekend as the weather should be great!

Scribner's Gallery & Studio 124 S. Independence
Scribner's has a new show with an artist reception every first Friday of the month (open to the public, free of charge) which includes a cash bar from Panevino and a live musician. 7-10 pm.

Quadrantids Meteor Shower
The meteor shower known as the Quadrantids will take place the evening of January 3, 2009. This obscure shower produces some of the fastest meteors, and can put on superb displays. This is a good year for the shower because the Moon sets around midnight, leaving dark skies for morning meteor watching plus the weather should be tolerable.

Movies
The holiday season is about the best time to go see a movie. Enid has several really good shows this season including many fun family movies. Load up the crew and get out for a weekend flick.

Happy New Year everyone!

In our first bit of news for 2009 we have this...

With the closing of Marilyn K's and Marilyn's retirement the girls will be opening the restaurant BARNSTORMER's at Woodring Airport on Friday, January 2nd. Jamie Fournier will be running the restaurant. They will be open from 6 am to 2 pm serving BREAKFAST and LUNCH.

Start off the new year with a great meal made by the great crew from Marilyn K's!

Send us your best news, scoop and scandal and we'll try to get it added to the blog. We'd also love to see any old photos of Enid that you might have.