Storm Spotter Training

In Oklahoma, it's not a question of if severe storms and tornadoes will threaten, but when. To help get ready for the upcoming severe weather season, the National Weather Service will conduct storm spotter training in Little Axe on Friday, February 11th beginning at 6:30 PM.

The training is free and open to the public, and will be held at the Little Axe Community Center.Rick Smith, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Norman Forecast office will conduct the training, which is designed to give storm spotters the information they need to be able to safely observe severe storms, and to report their observations to city officials and the National Weather Service. Even with radar and other technological advances over recent years, forecasters at the National Weather Service still rely heavily on trained storm spotters to provide ground truth information. The presentation will also include information on storm safety, severe weather climatology and other interesting facts related to springtime weather in Oklahoma.

One way for the National Weather Service to gather the information from trained storm spotters is through the local office of emergency management and the amateur radio volunteers that support emergency operations. The South Canadian Amateur Radio Society supports the local area. You can learn more about amateur radio by visiting their web page at www.w5nor.org or by calling the Norman Office of Emergency Management at (405) 292-9780.

David Grizzle, the City of Norman Emergency Management Coordinator, will also be available to address any questions or concerns regarding severe weather operations for the City of Norman and to provide information on how citizens can be a part of the severe weather operations effort.

For more information concerning the storm spotter training contact Pam Sharp at the Little Axe Community Center (405) 292-9770 or David Grizzle at the Norman Office of Emergency Management (405) 292-9780

January 25 City Council Agenda

Sister City Plaza and Trail Dedication

Leaders from across the globe will be coming together this Saturday at Andrews Park to dedicate Norman’s very own Sister City Plaza and Trail. A delegation from Norman’s sister city in France, Clermont-Ferrand, led by their Mayor, Serge Godard, are in town and will be on hand for the dedication.

Norman has had a sister city relationship with Clermont-Ferrand and Colima, Mexico for some time. The city is also in talks with Seika Town, Japan about developing a sister city relationship. The dedication will begin at 9:00 AM on the south side of Andrews Park. Norman’s Park and Recreation Department will have coffee and hot chocolate for all that attend. The dedication is open to the public and all are welcome to join in the festivities.

The plaza and trail were recently designed and built through the hard work and dedication of Norman’s Park and Recreation staff.

Chocolate Festival Plans Announced

February 5, 200510:30 am - 3:00 pm
Presented by the Firehouse Art Center

Being held at the Norman North High School Commons, 1809 N. Stubbeman

TASTING SESSION
Linger over the selection of your ten delicious chocolate samples! Tickets are $18 ($15 for Firehouse members). It is advised that you purchase your tickets early, so you can get an entry time convenient for you. Premier Tasting tickets are available.

Premier guests receive 15 samples, Tupperware container and a drink!

Premier Tasting tickets are $30 ($25 for Firehouse members).

CHOCOLATE! Competitions
It's Chocolate, designed for the eyes! "CHOCOLATE! A Juried Exhibit" features art that mostly chocolate and mostly edible. Marvel at these creations vying for purchase awards. Then, cast your vote for the "People's Choice Award!"

Area cooks and bakers will be competing for cash prizes in the FAC Brownie Bake-off and the Most Delicious Dessert competitions. After judging, the brownies and desserts will become
samples for tasters -- and delicious they will be!

The Firehouse Art Center Chocolate Festival Tickets are now on sale! The Firehouse Art Center will have regular hours through Dec 22nd, 2004. Our hours of operation are 930am - 530pm Tuesday through Friday, 10am-4pm on Saturday, and 1pm-5pm on Sundays. Tickets for the Chocolate Festival as well as the Gala will available for sale online beginning in January.

On the 23rd of Dec the Firehouse Art Center will be open from 930am - 10pm! Chocolate Festival tickets are great stocking stuffers so beat the rush and buy your tickets before Christmas! We will be closed from Dec 24th through Jan 3rd. We will reopen at 930am on 4 Jan, 2005.

300 Premiere tickets are available for early tasting for one hour and include 15 samples, a container to carry them in, and a drink.

Premiere tickets are $30 for non-members and $25 for members.
Tasting time is from 1030am - 1130am

400 Traditional tickets are available for each 30 minute segment and include 10 samples!
Traditional tickets are $18 for non-members and $15 for members.
30 minute tasting sessions beginning at 1130am and ending at 300pm

The Chocolate Festival is the Firehouse's largest fundraiser of the year! The 23rd annual Chocolate Festival will be held 5 Feb, 2005 at Norman North High School. It has grown substantially over the years and includes many of Norman's most well known restaurants and business sponsors.

Events include:
Cooking demonstrations
$5 kid's area (which includes 4 activities and 1 chocolate sample)
culinary creations
brownie bake-off
chocolate sculpture competition
chocolate picture competition
chocolate gallery show

Entry forms for each of these competitions/contests are available online and at the front desk. Our address at the Firehouse is 444 S. Flood Ave, Norman, OK 73069. You may call us at 405.329.4523 or visit our website at www.normanfirehouse.com

All of the information regarding the Chocolate Festival is posted including prices and details regarding each event.

Light the Way: Reflecting upon Child Abuse & Neglect

Every 11 seconds a child is reported abused or neglected in our nation.

A candlelight vigil, with special guest First Lady Kim Henry, will be held at Alcott Middle School gym on Monday, January 31st at 7:00. The school is located at 1919 W. Boyd.

This event is sponsored by

• Bethesda


• Center for Children & Families


• Exchange Club


• Junior League of Norman


• Mary Abbott House


• Norman Police Department

For more information contact 364-1420.