Lifestyle

Friday, August 19, marks the annual global occurrence, International Orangutan Day, and to celebrate the Oklahoma City Zoo and Bob Moore Subaru are inviting guests to participate in a variety of activities that highlight critically endangered orangutans and the importance of helping protect this well-loved species in the wild and its habitat. Presented locally by Bob Moore Subaru, event activities are set to take place at the Zoo’s Great EscApe habitat home to its pair of Sumatran orangutans, male, Elok, 21, and female, Negara, 28.

By Elisabeth Slay The Shawnee News-Star eslay@news-star.com Please send items for the calendar to newsroom@news-star.com. August 19 For our August Block pARTy, from 5:30-8:30 PM, our featured artist is Maggie Price.

Nine strategies for small businesses, nonprofits, others Are you planning an event for your community? Are you worried about how to promote the event in the aftermath of the pandemic? Welcome to the New Normal! What worked in the past won’t necessarily work in today’s hectic world. Most organizations have limited resources and must be cautious about how they spend their capital.

Doggie Dip Day was held at Shawnee Splash on Saturday, Aug. 13, signaling the end of the swimming season at the park.

The fall semester began Monday, Aug. 15 at Seminole State College. Campus Activities and Events is hosting a number of events and giveaways as part of the College’s Welcome Week tradition, including a game show, movie night, free air brush t-shirts, free snow cones and a dodgeball night. Extended enrollment remains open at the College through Aug. 19.

As of Tuesday, the Chickasaw Turnpike has fully transitioned to PlatePay/cashless tolling. This means drivers can now travel along the Chickasaw Turnpike between Ada and Sulphur without having to stop to pay a toll.

Hot air balloons danced across the skies of Shawnee Friday and Saturday, Aug. 12-13 for the annual FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival.

Local gems make up Shawnee life: See how well you know Shawnee. Do you recognize any of this around town? Desiree Rinetti submitted a couple photos featuring a lovely feline and flowerbed.

We’ve talked about all kinds of gardening and landscaping. What about plants we have in our homes? Those beautiful violets (my favorite), pothos, succulents, that decorate our homes can bring us a lot of joy.