Alva Review-Courier -

Despite temperatures in the 20s, a large crowd gathered Friday morning for the Alva Chamber Community Coffee. The event was held in the new Alva branch of NBC Oklahoma at 510 5th St.

Alva Chamber Executive Director Jodie Bradford-Stevison welcomed everyone. She announced the Chamber's Candy Cane Cash giveaway is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 2. Because of a high level of participation by retailers, the giveaway will total $3,000. The jackpot will be $1,000 with nine prizes of lesser amounts to given away. People are encouraged to shop local and register for the drawing at participating stores.

Chamber Communications Specialist Emma Cline said she's working on a list of December events. She has created a submission form on the Chamber's website at http://www.visitalvaok.org/submitevent.

On behalf of NBC Oklahoma, Assistant Vice President Allan Poe welcomed guests. He will be the primary lending officer in Alva. Poe grew up in Cherokee and worked at Northwest Technology Center in Alva for 11 years where he was the ag business coordinator as well as coordinating the business incubator program.

Poe said the Alva office is based off of the Enid bank. "Our goal is to work with both ag and commercial clients," he said. "NBC has a lot of customers and clients already in this area."

President Scott Bixler said NBC Oklahoma has "a lot of roots in this area. We thought it was time, it was appropriate to extend those roots." Bixler, who grew up in Waynoka, spoke about his experiences coming to Alva to show livestock. He thanked landlord Conner Martin and his mother Marcia Martin for the attractive remodeling work on the offices, which used to house a florist.

Those present were encouraged to pick up a free art poster of "Little Brother of War," a painting by Starr Hardridge commissioned this year as part of the NBC Oklahoma Artist Series. It illustrates Native Americans playing stickball in "the very first stickball game between the land animals and sky animals in a struggle for balance, a battle of earth and sky." Bixler said NBC Chairman of the Board Ken Ferguson is "into the art world."

Bixler said Northwest Tech Assistant Superintendent Daren Slater, whose wife Tiffany is employed by the bank, helped in the remodeling process by doing lots of cleaning and picking up at night. Bixler said the previous night (Nov. 17), Northwest Tech Center was recognized as one of the top places to work in Oklahoma. They were ranked No. 4. Last year they were No. 6.

He said NBC Oklahoma also participated in the ceremony. Last year they were in the top ten, but this year they came in 19th. "I'm not saying they stole the election from us, but you know there may be a recount, and I heard Daren knew some judges," he said with a grin.

The only other common thread according to Bixler was "Like Allan (Poe) said, he used to work for Northwest Technology, and he left, and their ranking went up ..."

Poe introduced Vice President Tiffany Slater of Dacoma who is based at the Enid bank but will be spending some time in the Alva branch. Slater thanked the Chamber for allowing them to host the Community Coffee. "As most of you know, Tiffany is extremely intelligent," commented Bixler. "If you truly need something, don't call Allan, don't call Scott ... She'll get it done for you."

Christmas Fundraiser

Marione Martin

Representatives of NBC Oklahoma welcoming guests to the Community Coffee Friday are, from left: President Scott Bixler, Vice President Tiffany Slater and Assistant Vice President Allan Poe.

In closing, several of those present told about events happening in Alva over the weekend. Joe Parsons said the 818 Diner is having a fundraiser spaghetti dinner for Christmas causes on Tuesday, Nov. 29. The proceeds will be split among Toys for Tots, Shop with a Cop and the free Christmas Day dinner at the diner. The fundraiser is being sponsored by the Alva Masonic Lodge who will match proceeds up to $3,000.

Swimming Pool

Alva Mayor Kelly Parker said the swimming pool committee and the city council have approved the conceptual design for the pool. So far, about $2.5 million has been raised toward the pool project, but more needs to be raised. While more grants are being pursued, the pool committee is accepting donations through the non-profit Freedom West. Those wishing to donate may contact Dr. Kay Decker for more information. Posters of the pool signs are displayed around Alva. Parker said businesses who would like to display the poster should contact the city office.

A video of the Community Coffee may be viewed at http://www.AlvaReviewCourier.com.