Title: Maker Comics: Fix a Car! Illustrator: Chris Schweizer Reviewed by: Michaelene M
In Maker Comics: Fix a Car!, a group of teens attend Car Club where they learn basic car repair and maintenance. It’s all the techniques, tools, and knowledge readers of all ages need to diagnose common car issues, while giving them the confidence needed to start their journey into car repair.
Schweizer, through the instructional lens of teacher Mrs. Gritt, turns car repair into a fun exploration with friends. Detailed illustrations break down the different systems of a car before putting it back together again. The teens also run into common problems on the road, giving Mrs. Gritt the chance to show tools needed to diagnose issues and make DIY car repairs.
This is a great introductory guide not only for teens taking care of their first car but also for any driver who wants to know basic car maintenance. From changing the oil to washing your car. An essential tool to have in your glovebox that makes car repair easy and attainable.
Maker Comics: Fix a Car! is available as a physical book in the library. Call us at 580-234-6313 to reserve.
Title: Your Place in the Universe Author and Illustrator: Jason Chin Reviewed by: Michaelene M
Your Place in the Universe by Jason Chin takes readers on a journey of perspective, using different methods of measurement to show our place in the universe. And if you’re anything like me where 10 feet may as well be one hundred, this book delivers a powerful sense of comparison.
Chin uses scale, distance, and time to show readers how people compare in this vast place we know as the universe, from the animals and trees, to manmade structures and buildings, to the palatial magnitude of the Cosmic Web. The illustrations arch from one page to the next, putting these measurements into even bigger perspective, making size and distance more accessible and giving us a broader vision. I knew the universe was big, but it gave me pause to realize how big, and it’s a great book to introduce young readers to life on our planet and all the elements of space—from us to the stars to distant galaxies.
Additional notes are at the back to sum up the measurements and give more insight into the cosmos. This book is a gem for curious minds.
Your Place in the Universe is available as a physical book in the library. Call us at 580-234-6313 to reserve.
August has finally made its way to our flamingo-decorated summer doorsteps. In Oklahoma, the sun’s summer rays are still strong, pools are still filled with the laughter and splashing of children, and frozen tropical cocktails are still the five o’clock beverage of choice for adults looking to unwind after a full day. Over-indulging on the final days of freedom we have left before starting the new school year, the last couple weeks of our summer break usually resembles a mad-dash to conquer all of the remaining items on our “Sand-bucket List.” You know—the list of fun ideas, creative projects, and to-do’s you’ve been meaning to do all summer long! The first day of this month hits a snooze button on the existential clock of summer, and we instantly feel the pressure to wake up and get those summer tasks accomplished.
A Sand-bucket List, for some, may simply consist of hanging out with friends from sun-up to sun-down, living out all of the typical youthful rites of passage, or maybe you want to treat yourself to more snow-cones, so you decide to try at least a dozen new flavors before the stands close for the season. Those books you bought in the spring for your summer reading list? Now’s the time to start knockin’ those pages out! Whatever your Sand-bucket List entails, there is still—always—instinctual back-to-school anticipation hitting the ol’ gut; the very moment August 1st roams around and takes residence on our desk calendars.
Our mind has only begun to think about the back-to-school shopping that needs to be done, the lunch pails that will need to be filled every morning, and the late-night homework assignments that’ll soon be a daily occurrence. The school year is almost here, with the reality of this officially hitting your radar. Enjoying plans, but reeling from the impending conclusion of those sunny summer days—the teachers, administrators, and support staff members of Enid Public Schools have already returned to the halls, prepping for the upcoming year.
Being a teacher means providing your students with lessons, guiding them to think, learn, and grow. Regardless of the grade level being taught, it also means being a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, mediation of arguments, occasional child wellness, and a multitude of other hats needed daily while school is in session. Since 2018 in Oklahoma, being a teacher means not only being an advocate for students but also being an activist for them, as well.
An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away…BUT, A Basket of Apples Will Thank Your Teacher?!
Teachers are the curators of curiosity, the royalty of arithmetic, the crafters of classrooms, the role models of yesteryear, the remembered moments of tomorrow, and the molders of the minds of the future. Schools, teachers, and education have seemingly always been associated with the apple. Although the word “apple” has developed a dual meaning in retrospect to education (due to the rise of importance on technology in academia)— still, the apple and education have a much more storied past than what Steve Jobs founded in his 1976 California garage.
Denmark and Sweden in the 1700s saw a wave of the children of farmers giving baskets of apples to their school teachers as a form of payment. Apples were cheap and easy to produce by the farmers, and it was a very versatile cooking ingredient. According to “Frontier House, Frontier Life,” this also became a common practice in America, because “families whose children attended schools were often responsible for housing and feeding frontier teachers.”
This is why the 1700s saw a shift in the legacy of the apple across the world. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis notes how the popularity of the apple in America today, is completely contrary to the original narrative formed around the fruit. A symbol of biblical evil and the poisonous apple folklore are examples of how the imagery first related apples with danger. Now a standard health food providing fiber and nutrients to keep us full and fit, this fruit is usually found in the typical American home, in the fridge, or on a countertop. Not generally accepted as payment for school nowadays, the apple is still gifted to an educator as a show of appreciation.
If you’ve ever noticed how many different kinds of apples are available at your local grocery store, then I’m sure your mind has wondered about how many apple varieties exist in the world. Living in a country where the largest and most diverse city (New York City) easily became synonymous with the term “The Big Apple”, and slogans such as “As American as Apple Pie” became ingrained in the cultural DNA, America has long held close ties to this juicy, red fruit. The versatility of uses and reliability of growth the apple provides has helped dominate its popularity throughout the years, making it one of America’s most consumed fruit, according to Selecthealth.org.
The US is responsible for the production of upwards of 2,500 variations of apple, out of the 7,500 grown worldwide. Iowans of the 1880s brought acclaim with the invention of the Red Delicious Apple, which has become the most preferred apple type, for its sweet crunch and bright red color. Today, the Red Delicious is the most widely grown apple variety; however, the Gala Apple is rapidly approaching the Red Delicious’ number one spot, following shortly behind in second place, with Granny Smith staying another perennial favorite at number three.
“FUNDING OR BUST”
Public School funding has been at the chopping block with consistent cuts at the state level year after year. Class sizes keep growing, but the needs of the individual students never change. It’s common to hear about educators spending their own money on their own time, working on projects to raise the quality of education for their students. You must ask yourself—how can that be in the 21st century, in one of the most prosperous countries in the world? We know the importance and value of education as a society. We are the generations studying the invention of the wheel in 4000 B.C. The Chariot being designed 1000 years later in 3000 B.C., and being the fastest and most convenient way to travel until the turn of the 19th century, with the introduction of the Steam Engine Train. The Railroad System spawned across the globe during the 1800s, and the car wasn’t a thing until around 1885.
The more access to books and knowledge for the general public, the quicker society became smarter as a whole. The Wright brothers took flight in 1903 on the first airplane. To understand the importance of access to a quality public education system is to acknowledge the connection in our ability to rapidly advance our means of travel, with the advancements made in science and educational practices and philosophies of the time. The first car was driving around 4,900 years after the chariot was invented; yet, in 1969, we rocketed to the moon only 66 years after the first plane ever left the ground.
We, as people, are capable of incredible things. We can train and condition our bodies to have the athleticism to compete among the world’s greatest Olympians, have the discipline and willpower to grow the world’s longest fingernails, or invent and distribute a life-saving vaccine across the world within a year of the onset of a deadly pandemic. As Americans, we prize the ability to champion a campaign and to aim for doing what is right. Our tenacious appetite for justice is a cornerstone in the ideals of the American philosophy of life.
According to an article in the New Yorker titled, “Striking Oklahoma Teachers Win Historic School-funding Increase and Keep on Marching, the amount spent per student in Oklahoma had fallen 28% since 2008. After the failed SQ 779, which would have increased sales tax by one cent, estimating an additional $615 Million for funding, this State Question included teacher raises, and most likely, if added to the ballot and passed, would have quelled any dissension among the public teaching workforce. However, it did not gain enough votes to make it on the ballot. The second proposal, known as “The Step Up” plan, also failed to pass through, snubbing teachers of an additional $5,000 salary raise. These two initiatives being shot down were the last hope for teachers, some of whom were working multiple jobs to make ends meets.
Teachers across Oklahoma were tired of the injustice they felt from years and years of continual cuts to their classrooms, and collectively, they decided to go on strike. The notion was a peaceful demonstration of their frustrations, by Walking Out of the classroom, and heading to the State Capitol to speak with the representatives who keep cutting public education funds. March 2018 saw frustrations rise to a boiling point, and beginning in April—they walked out. The demands from the teachers were simple and quite reasonable—adequately fund our schools and pay us a more livable wage.
“It was a myriad of emotions—lots of highs, lots of lows, and everything in between. I remember leaving every day feeling exhausted, but also empowered. I saw teachers come together across the state, and really put forth the focus of our walkout, which would be the children and the future of the state. It was a trying time…meeting at 4 and 5 in the morning…getting in line to visit with legislatures, going into sessions, and educating ourselves on the whole process—of what passing laws and making our voices heard could really look like” states Ainsley Hoover, Teacher at Garfield Elementary during the 2018 Walkout.
The goal was $10,000 salary raise for teachers and a $1,250 raise for support personnel. After nearly two weeks of protesting at the state capitol for better working conditions, the teachers were victorious! They didn’t get their full goal met, but they received approximately $6,000 salary raises for teachers, and $1,250 for support personnel. “At the end, I remember feeling depleted. While we had the historic teacher raises passed…it just wasn’t enough…we haven’t really seen a lot of change…Enid works really hard to make sure their teachers have what they need, but they are subjected to the limits that the state has. If there’s no funding being distributed to public schools, then their hands are also tied on how much they can offer and provide. The works not over. We have to continue to fight, because our kids deserve it,” Ainsley proclaims in a spirited tone.
The teachers of Oklahoma stood united, and they helped teach their students another valuable lesson. Aside from the power of free speech and the right to protest—they were showing their students education if worth fighting for! “Until the lawmakers in Oklahoma City really start to take the future of the state seriously…then it’s the teacher’s job as far as advocating for themselves, for the students…the classrooms, the school building, and all of the education workers in the state—that it’s not over. The house and the senate are supposed to be representative of the people who live within the state—not moneymakers, not lobbyists, not reps that only have their own interests or agendas at heart. If they’re not willing to step up and do the job, then people need to be put in those places that will represent the views of the people in the districts they were elected to vote for…these are the people who will run the world whenever we’re old. Why would we not want to invest in that? I just don’t understand.”
“Apples of the Community Eye”
As mentioned, Enid Public School has faced its share of budgetary cuts at the state level, but the local contributions made to our education system have created unique opportunities within our district. Enidpublicschools.org compiled a list of “Community Partnerships,” showing how vital local support is, in a time that is continually seeing funding being taken away. The invaluable experiences these partnerships bring for the youth in our community, often stepping stones towards higher education, as well as higher quality education for grades K-12.
The EHS University Center supplies high school students with on-campus facilities to take AP & Concurrent Classes. It states that families with financial needs can save around $30,000 in college expenses by taking advantage of the programs offered. AP Programs in Enid Public Schools is now “one of the fastest-growing” in the state, thanks to Groendyke Transport and Gefco, and the National Math and Science Initiative. Groendyke and Gefco added $120,000 in matching funds to the National Math and Science Initiative’s $450,000 grant.
EPS hosts an intergenerational early childhood program, known as The Commons Pre-K, a partnership with local University, NWOSU, in a program called and Fowler Early Childhood Center. The third early childhood center was made possible from a $200,000 United Way campaign. Along with the two higher education institutions (Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Northern Oklahoma College), Enid is also home to Autry Technology Center. A vocational technology center, Autry is part of the nationally recognized career tech programs for the state of Oklahoma, and high school students are given tuition-free enrollment opportunities up to three years after graduation.
EnidPublicSchool.org estimates that more than $60,000 was donated to Enid classrooms through a website called DonorsChoose.org. From field trips to fun projects, people all over are giving in support of public education in our hometown. If you’d like to donate to a local EPS classroom through DonorsChoose.org, search zip codes 73701 and 73703 on the site. You can also reach out to Jane Johnson at EPS Administrative Services Building, at (580)366-7012 or jmjohnson@enidk12.org, for more information.
How Do You Like Them Apples?
In the true spirit of an underdog, Enid, Oklahoma has always fought back in support of funding public education, despite the yearly detrimental cuts from the state government. Michael Pollan explains the “clever bit of biology” in his writings titled Botany of Desire, that “sweetness in nature is a rarity.” Of course, there have been clever advertising campaigns that spun slogans of advice from doctors and the allure of autumnal apple picking; but really, it was a scientific process that intervened to continually make apples sweeter and more versatile. Relationships developed with teachers mean so much to students because students grow through the knowledge and compassion shared by a teacher. A good educator teaches their students to think, the same way a good farmer cultivates their fruit to be sweet. You’ll find the weeks are cushioned upon the field-weary hands of the Oklahoma Farmer after Harvest, just as the dedication and love for the profession of teaching are thickened and callous upon the hearts of Oklahoma educators.
On April 29, Enid celebrated the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the GLo Best Western Enid, OK Downtown and Convention Center Hotel. The new hotel is one of the final parts of the Stride Bank Center. Since the new arena and renovated convention hall opened in 2013 it was known that a hotel connected to the property was essential for the Stride Bank Center to meet its potential. The new hotel dramatically expands the opportunity for new events and conferences in Enid.
The GLo being right on the downtown square is vital to bringing in more conferences and groups to Enid. Many organizations will not bid on a location for their conference if the meeting facility and conference hotel are not on the same property. Having the BW GLo on the downtown square provides a lot of advantages for the conference-goer. It allows visitors to park one time and have close access to the Stride Bank Center, restaurants, retail locations, and entertainment. In May, the Oklahoma Transit Authority was the first group to hold a conference and stay in the new hotel.
Enid’s hotel tax revenue has done exceptionally well compared to other communities, even considering COVID-19. From 2017 to 2020 Enid has generated over $4.6 million in hotel tax revenue. According to Visit Enid, revenue January through April of this year is $843,000 and is will only increase with groups like Koch Fertilizer, Oklahoma Main Street, Oklahoma Game Warden, City Management Association of Oklahoma, and the Northwest Oklahoma Junior Rodeo arriving in the next few months.
Tourism is the front door to economic development in a community because it is often the way people are first introduced to a town. Tourism also provides a tangible boost to local tax revenues. When people outside of Enid visit for any reason they buy food, gasoline, stay in hotels, or spend money at our local shops and the tax revenue goes straight to the bottom line. In Oklahoma, tourism is the No. 3 industry behind Oil & Gas and Agriculture. No doubt, tourism took a major hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as people begin traveling again, many will be looking for things closer to home. Families will look for destinations like Enid that are within a days’ drive. With attractions like Leonardo’s Children Museum, the Junior College World Series, concerts and shows at Stride Bank Center, and even crystal digging at the Great Salt Plains, Enid is a draw for families looking for a quick, fun, relaxing getaway.
We welcome the addition of the GLo hotel to our community and look forward to welcoming new visitors to Enid this year!
The Oklahoma Healthy Aging Initiative, OHAI, has received a $4,000 grant from Park Avenue Thrift to provide Tai Chi and Staying Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) classes in the Enid.
Park Avenue Thrift strengthens the Enid community and serves others by collecting donations and giving the proceeds to organizations that invest in Enid’s quality of life. Park Avenue has invested more than $3 million in grants over its fourteen year history.
The funds awarded by Park Avenue Thrift will provide evidenced based wellness programming to older adults and caregivers in the Enid area to help increase physical activity and decrease the risk for falls. Both Tai Chi and SAIL classes are designated by the National Council on Aging as Evidenced-based program. These evidenced-based program offer proven ways to promote health and prevent disease among older adults. Both Tai Chi and SAIL have been designed to improve balance, stability and mobility when practiced regularly.
The movements of Tai Chi help older adults reduce their risk of falling, while also increasing balance and flexibility. Individuals learn way to improve their overall mind, body and spirit through a series of slow, continuous movements. This program is developed to adjust for all fitness levels.
Staying Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) is a fitness program for older adults which can be done either seated or standing. Performing exercise that improves strength, balance and fitness is critical for staying active and reducing the risk of falls. The SAIL program was designed with these priniciples in mind. Each class includes a warm up. Stretching, cardio, balance and strengthening exercise, as well as a cool down.
If you would like more information on the OHAI’s Tai Chi or SAIL classes, please visit www.ohai.org.
By Cathy Thomas, Garfield County Master Gardener class of 2019
Fall gardening?! It’s only July! It may be the height of summer but gardening never takes a vacation. Hopefully, you are enjoying the fruits (and blooms) of your spring labors. To continue the bountiful harvest prune back and deadhead flowering annuals and perennials. Trim vegetable plants like tomatoes, okra, squash, sweet potatoes, and peppers to promote growth. Water well and mulch, mulch, mulch! Mulching not only conserves water, it conserves soil by preventing it from blowing away, controls soil temperature and fertilizer as it biodegrades.
This is a great time to fertilize roses, annuals, and containers. Avoid fertilizing trees and shrubs, though. Dig up spring-flowering bulbs. Divide them and replant, or share them with friends and family. Later in the month plant other spring-flowering bulbs like irises and families. If you harvest and save seeds for planting next year, allow seed heads from flowers to dry on the stalk and herbs and vegetables to ‘go to seed.’ Collect, clean and dry seeds from pulpy vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, okra, and squash. Remember to label them and share them with family, friends, and the Enid and Garfield County Public Library’s seed library.
Record in your garden journal what you planted and where, how plants are growing, pests, diseases, and unusual weather issues. Take photos to include with your journal. Plan and begin planting your fall vegetable garden. Till in some compost and allow the soil to sit for a few days. Plan which plants you want and where to plant them. Smaller seeds that are planted closer to the surface may benefit from soaking in water before planting. Once planted, cover them immediately with mulch and water well. In addition, using sun shades can prevent the soil from becoming too warm and cooking your seeds or starter plants.
Many “tender” vegetables need to be harvested before a frost can be planted between July 15th and the beginning of August: pole beans, cilantro, corn, peppers, pumpkins, summer and winter squashes. Semi-hardy and hardy vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and parsnips can be planted at this time, too. Other hardy vegetables will benefit from planting after August 1st. A good source for more fall gardening information can be found in the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service fact sheet Fall Gardening HLA – 6009 available on the website http://osufacts.okstate.edu.
July is a great month to get children involved in gardening, as well. From deciding what flowers and vegetables they want to grow to harvesting, kids may love to “play in the dirt” with a grownup. Sharing watering duties for about fifteen to twenty minutes for children under five is a great activity for grandparents to engage grandkids. Allowing children 5 and older to help harvest vegetables and cut flowers brings a purpose to gardening for them. Weeding a garden to earn a tangible reward or even money is a great opportunity for 10-year-olds on up. Plus it’s also fun to do with a mentor or grandparent. Plant some fall annuals such as spider flowers (Cleome hybrids), blanket flower (Gaillardia), brown-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia), and marigolds (Calendula) are among the many choices. Planting in the evening will help seeds and tender new roots settle in before the summer heat of the day. Watering in the morning conserves water over-irrigating in the middle of the day and prevents mold from developing from water sitting on plants overnight. There is plenty to do in July!
The sun greets the grasslands of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve on a crisp summer morning. This golden light is ancient and may have been created in the time of early humans. (Credit: Patrick Wine)
I’m going to let you in on a little secret; you’ve been lied to. No, that call stating your car’s extended warranty is cause for the FBI to arrest you is definitely true as are all phone calls! In reality, however, this deception is much brighter. Let me shed some light on it. You were likely introduced to this falsified truth in elementary school and later had it reinforced through societal small talk. This lie is so ingrained in our society that it’s hard to fully grasp that this equivocation is just that. So, what grand insight do I have to bestow upon you in this month’s The Cosmic Mariner? I’m glad you asked! I’ll get right to the core. It does not, in fact, take light eight minutes to travel from the Sun to the Earth. I can hear you now. “That’s malarkey”, you say as if someone stripped you of your childhood. But wait, there’s more! While it does take light a little more than eight minutes to travel from the sun’s surface to the Earth, the true story goes much deeper. Each photon of solar light that your retina deciphers is actually between a few thousand to half-a-million years! We often discredit the incredibly drunken journey that these photons take from the core of the sun to the Earth’s surface and beyond.
A diagram of the suh demonstrates the “onion” layers of the sun. Light starts in the core and “drunkenly walk” to the surface before leaving to Earth and beyond. (Credit: NASA)
The story of our photon begins in the core of our solar system’s life giving conglomerate of densely packed Hydrogen. The Sun! With a core temperature of approximately 27,000,000 degrees and a density roughly 125 times greater than water, it is truly a home only an Atom could love. Because of the incredible amount of gravitational force being applied to the Hydrogen atoms in the Sun’s core, these atoms are squeezed together until they eventually form Helium in a process known as nuclear fusion. This is different from the process we humans use to create energy in power plants; nuclear fission. When two Hydrogen atoms form a Helium atom, an enormous amount of energy is released in the form of gamma ray radiation. These gamma rays, as we know from previous articles, are extremely energetic wavelengths of light far above the spectrum that you and I can see on Earth. In fact, if you do “see” a gamma ray, chances are you’re actually dead. After creation, these gamma rays are thrust into the core of the sun at the speed of light where they partake in the harrowing millimeter journey to another atom where they’re absorbed and thrust back into the dense pool of atoms.
This is the highest resolution image ever captured of the sun’s convective surface. Each “cell” is roughly the size of Texas. (Credit: NSO/NSF/AURA)
Over, and over, and over again; these photons are absorbed and radiated. Absorbed and radiated. Each time they are redirected onto a completely random path. Due to the incredible dense core of the sun, this photon could spend hundreds of thousands of years indiscriminately walking from one atom to the next as it attempts to reach the surface. This process is similar to a pub crawl. You travel from bar to bar, each time losing a little bit of energy…or a lot of energy…This led to astronomers naming this phenomenon the drunken or random walk. This process of absorption and re-radiation occurs for thousands of years until the photon finally reaches the radiative zone. This portion of the sun is less dense than the core but dense enough that the photon still impacts other atoms and has its energy transferred through the process of radiation. Hence the name. As the photon impacts other atoms in the radiative zone, it’s re-emitted in different directions at lower wavelengths and, over time, eventually becomes visible light that we humans have adapted to see. The photon will spend a large portion of its life in the enormous radiative zone until it eventually reaches the convective zone above.
The convective zone works through the process of convection. Unlike the radiative zone where the photons are absorbed and re-radiated, the photons now coast on hot gasses that boil like water in a pot or mud in volcanic pits. As the gas heats up due to the incoming energy, it rises towards the photosphere, or the outer surface of the sun, on granules that cool and lower back toward the radiative zone. As this process of convection occurs, our photons are able to finally break free in the photosphere and embark on their grand journey to our eyeballs on Earth. This final journey takes a little more than 8 minutes to complete. After traveling 8 minutes, some of the light is blocked from entering our atmosphere by the Earth’s ozone layer and our magnetic field. For the most part, only visible light is able to pierce through our atmosphere and bounce into our eyes allowing us to see the wonderfully beautiful world on which we live. So, next time you look at the warming rays of our sun, keep in mind that the light you are seeing was created around the same time that our ancestors began to explore the idea of clothing roughly 170,000 years ago. Light is a window into the past. Let’s use it to see our future.
When considering the purchase of a fixer-upper home, it’s important to evaluate how much time and money you will have to spend on renovations. It’s often the case that houses needing a lot of renovation work are available at rock bottom prices. However, this can mean excessive costs when it’s time for renovations. Here are a few things to consider before taking the leap.
How much work can you do?
Determine how much of the work you are willing and able to do. If you’re a master at hanging drywall and your significant other has a knack for plumbing, it’s very possible to save big. This could be the difference between an inexpensive property that needs a great deal of work but is ultimately within your budget after renovations, and one that is not.
Keep in mind when deciding which work you’ll do yourself that safety is key. Anything that you don’t truly know how to do, especially things like electrical work, plumbing, or jobs involving power equipment, should be left to a professional.
Consider how much time you realistically have. If you work, take care of your family, or otherwise have engagements that occupy most of the day, don’t take on huge DIY renovations.
Choose contractors wisely
Before closing on your fixer-upper, speak with a few contractors to get an estimate of the work you plan on handing off to a professional. Without knowing how much you’ll need to spend to make the house look the way you want, you can’t know what the real cost of ownership will be. Once you have quotes from several contractors, work with your real estate agent to come up with an offer that considers how much you’ll be spending to get your new home in top shape. Your agent might suggest putting a clause in the contract to have some of the worst problems repaired by the current owners before the closing.
Before settling on a specific contractor, talk to friends, family, and neighbors to get a sense of the quality of work you can expect from each candidate. Reviews go a long way when choosing the best company for specific needs.
Hire a home inspector
In most situations that involve a mortgage or other loan from a bank, you will be required to have the house inspected before the loan is approved. Even if this isn’t the case, hiring a qualified home inspector that is proficient in their field. For example, an electrician for the electrical, plumber for plumbing, and so on. This is a critical aspect of ensuring you know what you’re getting yourself into with a fixer-upper. For instance, you might be able to tell that the floors in the kitchen will need to be replaced, but only a skilled professional can say for certain whether the foundation is solid or if asbestos is in the attic.
When it comes to real estate, knowledge is power. Take any information provided by the contractor and consult your REALTOR about how to proceed. They might recommend working part of the cost into negotiations.
And most importantly, Add a cushion
After you’ve decided which portion of the fixer upper’s remodeling you’ll be able to complete, consulted several contractors, and had the home inspected, you may be anxious to close. However, there’s another critical step to ensure you’ll be able to afford the renovations.
Unforeseen circumstances almost always arise during the process of remodeling. It is essential to account for these when determining what you can afford. A general rule of thumb is to add between five and 10 percent to the anticipated costs, just in case your contractor discovers pipes that need to be moved or if the price of the materials you choose increases. By adding a cushion to your financial projections, you should be in a great position to realistically determine whether a fixer-upper home will truly be worthwhile.
Your hometown Enid Outlaws had a bit easier time with the San Diego Guardians in Round 3 than they did with the Houston Push in Round 2. The Outlaws easily won both games against the Guardians (115-78 and 123-94) behind typically strong play from their stars, League MVP Chance Comanche (30.5 PPG and 16 RPG) and Second Team all TBL Charlie Marquardt (24 PPG, 12-23 on 3pts). Watonga’s Wayne Runnels had a strong showing off the bench averaging 16 points and 7 rebounds in limited minutes. Nigel Jones was the lone bright spot for San Diego averaging 26.5 PPG and 10 RPG, earning the grudging respect of this writer for his hard play even though his team was outmatched.
On to the Finals the Outlaws go, looking to win the Championship in their first year of existence. Waiting for them are the Syracuse Stallions, champions of the 9 team East Division. The Stallions went 20-4 during the regular season (the Outlaws were 22-2). They are a high scoring team, averaging 126 points per game (and giving up 109). Compare this to the Outlaws almost identical 126 points per game (but only give up 99).
The Stallions are led by 6’7″ G/F Trahson Burrell (#0), who averages 23.8 PG, 12.5 RPG and 5.7 APG, all team bests. 6’3″ G Jordan Robertson (#2) (19 PPG, 6.1 RPG) and 6’5″ F Michael Henry (#5) (17.2 PPG) are also good players for Syracuse.
On the way to the finals, Syracuse beat the Raleigh Firebirds (143-119 (W), 137-117 (W), Jamestown Jackals (117-123 (Loss), 133-108 (W) and 108-99 (W) and Indy Express (117-116 (W) and 102-99 (W). Burrell was the unquestioned star for them, averaging 26.3 PPG and 14.7 RPG during the playoffs.
The Outlaws will be without one of their better players, Lindy Waters III who is working out with the OKC Thunder Summer League team.
Game 1 is in Syracuse on Wednesday July 21st at 6:00 p.m. Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence) will be hosting a watch party with $5 burgers and beer specials at halftime.
UPDATE: The Enid Outlaws won game 1 in Syracuse 129-108. Charlie “Buckets” Marquardt WENT OFF in front of friends and family, scoring 39 points (8-15 from 3), 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Chance Comanche had his typical dominating performance with 26 points and 15 rebounds. Tavares Sledge also had a doubel double of 19 points and 13 rebounds.
Trahson Burrell had 33 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists for Syracuse in the losing effort. Jordan Robertson had 16 points and 8 rebounds and Michael Henry had 17 points.
Game 2 is in Enid on Saturday, July 24th at 7:00 p.m. at the Stride Bank Center. Tickets are available at the door or online at www.stridebankcenter.com
Photo from HESsportsclub.com
Game 3 (If Necessary) will also be at the Stride Bank Center on Sunday, July 25th at 6:00 p.m.
Buy your tickets now to come cheer on YOUR Enid Outlaws in the championship!
Trace Adkins wrote a song once titled “Just Fishin..” The song details a man sitting on a riverbank with a little girl with a pink fishing pole, who keeps talking about ballet shoes and her kittens. In essence, the song is about a daddy and his young daughter (who is oblivious to “grown up” issues) spending time together making memories neither one will forget. While she thinks they are “just fishing,” as a parent it’s entirely more than that.
The song relays how “time is tickin’” in that the time spent with children goes by entirely too quickly. I one hundred percent believe this to be true. I was (am) that dad, with two small boys (15 and 13 now) that sat on that riverbank or in our boat casting lures repeatedly. A Zebco 33 with a bobber and a minnow is hard to beat, for the newbies out there. There is truth to the saying “it’s much more than casting a hook into the water.” My oldest can fish all day and not catch a thing and be perfectly content (after jumping into the water a few times) while my youngest, well, you’d better be catching fish or he’s going to be on his phone.
Regardless, I can promise you more life lessons have already been taught to both while either in a boat or in a deer stand. What better way to spend time with your kids than the great outdoors? Quiet, peaceful, uninterrupted (except hopefully by the screaming of a child who has hooked a fish) time that you can enjoy the company. It appears today kids are so consumed with social media, video games, Netflix and the like many parents miss out on these opportunities for quality time. Take your kids camping. If fishing/hunting is not your thing take a hiking trip to Roman Nose or the Gloss Mountains. Get outside and spend some quality time together just talking and enjoying the great outdoors Oklahoma has to offer.
