June 24, 2023 Issue, Page 3 of 8

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June 24, 2023 The Elk City News -3 OKC Zoo And Og&E Continue Statewide Library Program, Read For Adventure, Offering Free Zoo Admission For Oklahoma Communities The Oklahoma City Zoo ing wild benefits including butterflies and other pol- Garden, from any participat- find resources in the back of lines. Located at the cross- and Botanical Garden's state- free admission to the Okla- linators plus native habitat ing Oklahoma public or tribal the book about plantinga gar- roads of I-44 and I-35, the wide library program, Read _homa City Zoo. Sponsored by through the program's origi- library location, and upon re- den for monarchs and other OKC Zoo is a proud member for Adventure, continues to Oklahoma Gas and Electric, nal children’s book, Juniper's turning the book the they will pollinators and their migra- of the Association of Zoos grow in popularity provid- Read for Adventure encour- Butterfly Garden-A Small receive a voucher redeemable tory path through Oklahoma. and Aquariums, the American ing a unique activity that ages family togetherness and Start for a Better World. Be- for free general admission to The iconic monarch but- Alliance of Museums, Okla- inspires young Oklahomans connects participants to the ginning, June 19, library card the OKC Zoo for up to four terfly is one of the most cel- homa City's Adventure Dis- people (child, adult or senior). ebrated butterflies in North to embrace their love of read- importance of taking con- holders are encouraged to trict and an Adventure Road ing and nature while enjoy- servation action for monarch check out Juniper's Butterfly Read for Adventure is in its partner. Regular admission America, but it's a species seventh season and to date, in trouble. Insect pollinator is $16 for adults and $13 for over 61,000 Oklahomans populations, including mon- children ages 3-11 and seniors have had the opportunity to archs, around the world are ages 65 and over. Children National Beef Quality Audit Shows visit and enjoy the OKC Zoo in sharp decline, because of two and under are admitted at no cost through the pro- habitat loss and widespread free. Support your love and Efficiency Improvements pesticide use. The monarch passion for wildlife and wild gram. “We are extremely grateful butterfly population has de- places with a ZOOfriends to OG&E and our library part- clined by 90 percent in the Membership Passport to the OKLAHOMA CITY - Since 1991, the Beef Foreign materials continue to present a ners for their support of Read last 20 years because of habi- OKC Zoo, There’s a member- Checkoff-funded National Beef Quality Audit problem, but the industry is making strides to for Adventure and commit- tat loss. All pollinators play a ship level for every kind of (NBQA) has delivered a set of guideposts and decrease incidence. ment to helping us provide vital role in the health of the explorer with amazing ben- measurements for cattle producers and other ‘There was an increase in usage of electronic engaging and memorable ex- environment so_ protecting efits plus, you are support- stakeholders to help determine quality con- identification (EID). formance of the U.S. beef supply. Results from periences for Oklahomans to them needs to be a united ing the OKC Zoo, its animals, ‘There was an increase in the frequency of connect with wildlife and wild effort. Migrating monarchs programs and conservation the 2022 NBQA indicate that the beef cattle in- Prime and Choice quality grades, while Select dustry is producing a high-quality product that decreased drastically. places,” said Dwight Lawson, funnel through Oklahoma in efforts. Memberships can consumers want more efficiently and the indus- While the industry is improving the quality OKC Zoo's executive director the spring and fall. Thus, cre- try’s primary focus across the supply chain re- be purchased at okczoo.org/ of beef being produced, that quality is being ac- and CEO. “This program has ating and protecting monarch membership. Stay connected mains food safety. “The NBQA is a process of collecting data companied by an increase in carcass weight and introduced thousands to the habitat in Oklahoma is criti- with the Zoo on Facebook, from all industry stakeholders, presenting that fat thickness, as well as large increases in per- importance of taking time for cal for this iconic butterfly’s ‘Twitter, Instagram, Linktree data and then setting the industry benchmarks centages ofYield Grade 4 and 5 carcasses. learning, recreation and em- survival. The OKC Zoo and and TikTok, and by visiting for the next five years,” said Dr. Morgan Pfei- ‘The NBQA, conducted approximately every bracing an appreciation for OG&E recognize the impor- ffer, assistant professor, Animal and Food Sci- five years, provides an understanding of what nature.” tance of these pollinators and our blog stories. ences at Oklahoma State University. “The good quality means to the various industry sectors, “We're thrilled to partner the urgency of restoring their About OG&E news is, overall, the beef industry is providinga and the value of those quality attributes. This with the Oklahoma City Zoo Oklahoma Gas and Electric quality product to consumers that they enjoy.” research helps the industry make modifications population and_ protecting Company, asubsidiary of OGE Early NBQAs focused on the physical attri- necessary to increase the value of its products. once again with such a fun their seasonal habitat, and butes of beef such as marbling, external fat, car- and educational program for Read for Adventure shares Energy Corp. (NYSE: OGE), is ‘The efforts of the findings from the 2022 NBQA cass weight and carcass blemishes. These cattle serve to improve quality, minimize economic young Oklahomans,” said with Oklahomans how they Oklahoma's largest electric industry concerns have evolved to include food loss, and aid in advancements in producer edu- Lindsay Laird, OG&E Man- can help monarchs thrive by company. For 121 years, we safety, sustainability, animal well-being and cation for the U.S. beef industry. For more in- ager of Community Outreach planting habitat for them in have provided customers in the growing disconnect between producers and consumers. As a result, over the past 30 years, formation about the 2022 National Beef Qual- & Engagement. “The Read for their own yards, community Oklahoma and western Ar- NBQA researchers have made significant chang- ity Audit, visit www.bga.org. Adventure program provides or school gardens. kansas with the safe, reliable es to the research, leading to an increasingly About the Beef Checkoff a creative way to inspire read- Read for Adventure is ongo- electricity needed to power meaningful set of results. ‘The Beef Checkoff was established as part ers statewide while teaching ing through Friday, March 31, their businesses and homes Based on individual interviews with stake- of the 1985 Farm Bill. The Checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and im- the vital role of pollinators in 2024. Zoo admission vouch- with some of the nation’s low- holders from across the cattle industry as well as in-plant research, key learnings for fed cattle ported cattle, in addition to a comparable as- our environment and the im- ers are redeemable through est electric rates, according from the 2022 NBQA include: sessment on imported beef and beef products. portance of protecting them June 30, 2024. Vouchers can to S&P Global Market Intel- Market segments no longer consider food States may retain up to 50 cents of the dollar in our community.” be redeemed at the Zoo's tick- ligence. Our employees are safety as a purchasing criterion, but an expecta- and forward the other 50 cents per head to Read for Adventure's origi- et windows. For additional committed to generating and tion. the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research nal children’s book, Juniper's details about Read for Adven- delivering electricity, _pro- When comparing 2016 and 2022 NBQAs, Board, which administers the national Checkoff Butterfly Garden, was writ-ture including a download- tecting the environment, and the largest improvement was overall increased program, subject to USDA approval. ten by Oklahoma City resi- able coloring page and list of providing excellent service to efficiency across the beef supply chain. Market sectors indicated that their compa- About the Oklahoma Beef Council dent and OKC Zoo's Creative approximately 889,000 cus- participating libraries, visit The Oklahoma Beef Council is a non-profit nies strive to increase their sustainability, and led by beef farmer and rancher volunteers serv- Services Manager, Autumn www.okcz00.org/readforad- tomers. OG&E’s 7,240 MW of work with the entire beef supply chain to do so. ing Oklahoma's 50,000 farming and ranch- Heigle, and illustrated by venture. electric generation capacity is ‘The entire industry felt the effects of the Nadia Ronquillo. Heigle was Spread your wings and get fueled by natural gas, wind, COVID-19 pandemic, nonetheless, beef proved ing families through the Beef Checkoff, a fed- low-sulfur coal, and solar. to be a choice of consumers, and the industry eral commodity program. Its vision is to be a inspired by the Zoo's commit- ready to Read for Adventure! persevered to provide products. positive difference for Oklahoma farming and ment to monarch conserva- The Oklahoma City Zoo and OG&E employees live, work, Due to pandemic pressures, more cattle over ranching families and the greater beef com- tion when writing this story Botanical Garden is open and volunteer in the commu- 30 months of age were harvested. munity through serving its mission to enhance about a child’s passion and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily nities we serve. For more in- ‘The beef industry's image improved within beef demand by strengthening consumer trust determination to help mon- with the last entry at 4 p.m. formation about OG&E, visit fed cattle market sectors. and exceeding consumer expectations. arch butterflies by creating Purchase advance Zoo admis- us at OGE.com or follow us on habitat space for these vital sion tickets at okczoo.org/ Facebook, LinkedIn and Ins- Providing comfort and Supportfor End of Life cholces pollinators. Readers will also tickets and avoid the entry tagram. Hospice care provides medical servic emotional support, and spiritual re- sources for people who are in the last stages of a serious illness, such as cancer Oklahoma Prisoners or heart failure. Hospice care also helps mily members manage the practical details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one. Learn Braille For questions regarding hospice service or eligibility, contact: Carrie Perry, RN/ Adminsistrator Providing Hope For Thousands With Pat Welsh, RN/ C rdinator of Patient C. Visual Impairments GRANITE, OKLA. - There transcribe music for folks with gress certification. Some of the most common conditions are isn’t much of a view behind visual impairments. “enjoy it, especially know- * Cancer * Failure to Thrive © End Stage Cardiac Disease (CHF) the granite walls of Oklahoma “This is pretty exciting,” ing it’s something I can help State Reformatory. But some class facilitator Roberta Bene- others with,” one inmate told * End Stage Cerebrovascular Disease ( /A) * End Stage Amyotrophic men at OSR have the talent to dict said. “It's new to DOC. I'm us. Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) * End Stz ge Pulmonary Disease (COPD) help others see. really excited how the inmates When they do leave prison, * End Stage Liver Disease * End Stage Renal Disease * AIDS/HIV “This is something you can have been taking it and receiv- they'll have skills for a lucra- do that really means some- ing it. It makes me jazzed to * End Stage Neurologi ‘al Disease such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's thing,” inmate Joseph Siford see how excited they are. Hope tive career as a braille transla- said. for the future.” tor. This is like braille boot Warden Chris Rankins “My abilities will be more ys rte camp, designed to teach stu- came up with the braille pro- eryiY RN Professional, Passionate dents to read and write braille gram. For Rankins, assisting valuable the more I know,” Si- ford said. “To be able to do this Advance, Attentive... code. It is not easy. people with impairments is ex-here and when I get out is very “The program I would say is tremely personal. promising” “One of my daughters is ac- Our Difference Is Our Car the most rigorous program in ODOC is creating innova- all of DOC,” inmate Brandon tually hearing impaired,” War- tive learning opportunities so Savage stated. den Rankin said. “Her mom everyone can thrive. “It’s way too hard,” another and I, all the stuff we saw her “The motto that we change Have you ever considered becoming inmate added. “It’s like look- struggle with in school, not ing at some Chinese Mandarin having everything she needed, lives, this is one way we do it,” a hospice volunteer? stuff, But now I've been here it puts a soft spot in my heart Warden Rankin said. “They can three weeks, and I’m writing because it’s personal.” change lives for the positive.” fulfilling experience in the spirit letters, numbers and sentenc- Once they complete the ‘There are talks underway to of giving and receiving. es.” course, the men can earn the expand the braille program to They are also learning to prestigious Library of Con- other prisons across the state. 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