Piedmont
Over Independence Day weekend, more than 25,000 people visited the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall, a three-quarter-scale traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., during its visit to Piedmont. The replica was open for public viewing at Piedmont High School’s Stout Field.

The exhibition was sponsored locally by Chapel Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens in partnership with the citizens of Piedmont. The Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall, with its black, reflective surface inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 servicemen and women who died or are missing in Vietnam, is dedicated to all Americans who served in Vietnam and honors all veterans of the U.S. military.

Oklahoma City
Mercy Health Center is doing its part to go green.

In 2008, Mercy switched from Styrofoam cups, bowls, plates and take-out containers to a 100% biodegradable product. Today, Mercy is taking its green efforts a step further with a reusable Mercy mug, made from 75% recycled plastic.

“We decided to get even greener and provide co-workers and patients the option to use a refillable mug,” Tom Peterson, Mercy’s director of support services, says. “Not only does it make for a healthier planet, everyone with a mug saves 25% every time they fill up with coffee, tea or soft drinks in our cafeteria.”

Mercy was recently awarded a five-star energy rating for using the most energy efficient, longest-lasting air filters available. Mercy was also recognized by the American Society for Healthcare Engineering for reducing energy intensity by 15%.

A recent community meeting drew more than 100 business owners, stakeholders, developers and residents to hear Councilman Skip Kelly’s strategies for the revitalization of 23rd Street.

The focus of the meeting was the proposed Northeast 23rd Street Overlay Zoning District, which was developed by the Oklahoma City Planning staff and presented by Planning Director Russell Claus. The new district will strengthen zoning requirements to ensure higher quality development for businesses along the street.

Code enforcement efforts such as property maintenance, outside storage, signage and fencing guidelines for businesses along 23rd Street was also discussed. During the meeting, developers advised property owners to build relationships with city staff members, who can provide better technical assistance to them. 

Cheever’s Café, 2409 N Hudson Ave., received national attention when the 2009 Diners’ Choice Awards for Best American Cuisine were announced by Open Table Diners. The group considered more than 9,000 restaurants from across the U.S., and Cheever’s was selected to be among the top 50 in the country.

“This is a great honor for Cheever’s Café,” says owner Keith Paul. “We are excited to be on the list with such other famous restaurants and to be ranked in the top 50 on a national level. We know Oklahoma has great food, and I’m glad the state is getting some credit for it.”

Following months of renovation and an investment of more than $32 million by Accord Interests, Isola Bella Apartments, 6303 NW 63, recently celebrated its grand opening. The second-largest apartment community in Oklahoma City, Isola Bella has been completely modernized with homes that feature more energy efficient appliances, doors and windows. It offers 45 acres with walking trails, six swimming pools, two lakes, tennis courts and a 30,000-square-foot fitness center and spa treatment center. The complex also announced its new sponsorship of the Oklahoma City chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma as part of its community building initiative.

Moore
An 83-suite SpringHill Suites by Marriott opened for business at 613 NW 8 in Moore. The location will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Champion Hotels. Rates begin at $109 per night.

Elk City
Great Plains Regional Medical Center unveiled its new, 151,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility, featuring modern improvements for both inpatient and outpatient services. The $60.1 million hospital replaces the existing site, with 50% more space and modern upgrades in technology, equipment, access and security.  

Joe Hall General Contractors and Flintco, Inc. partnered to build the new hospital with a groundbreaking in May 2007. The project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.