Tulsa, OK

I don’t understand how it is possible that I could live in Tulsa for thirtysome years and not have ever heard of these. Apparently they were the worst race riots in our country’s history and yet virtually unheard of by anyone other than a history major. How can that have happened?

Anyway, if you’re like me and want to learn more, here’s a good start:

Pam commented on a previous post and reminded me of Tulsa’s Spotlight Theater over on Riverside Drive.

Spotlight has been in Tulsa forever it seems. It was built in the 1920s as a private residence and studio, and became The Spotlight Theater in 1953. I fell in love with the building 30 years ago when I first moved here. But I didn’t actually realize it was a theater until 10 years later. Five years after that, I attended a performance of The Drunkard and The Olio with my first husband and adored it.

Spotlight also offers a children’s theater program. Currently running is Heidi, October 5th,6th, and 7th and again on the 12th, 13th, and 14th. Then they’ll be doing The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.

For more information on the Spotlight Theater, 1381 Riverside Drive, click here or call 587-5030 . Performances of The Drunkard and The Olio are every Saturday night at 7:45, sing-a-long starts at 7:30.

Mom and I had lunch friday at the China Star Restaurant in Broken Arrow, 803 N. Aspen ( 71st and 145th E Ave). It was sooo good. I had forgotten how much I love this place.

When we lived in Broken Arrow, about 10 years ago, we ate at the China Star all the time. Well, ok, maybe not everyday, but at least two or three times a month. The price has gone up a little, but not too much considering how long its been since we ate there last. I think it was around $20 including tip for both of us to eat lunch. And we were completely stuffed when we left. You know, when you’re so full that if you take one more bite you’ll literally explode. It was like that.

They even had a small selection of sushi. Since I have to be one of the last people in town to have not tried sushi, I had to give it a try. It was good. I’m not sure about the whole seaweed wrap thing. I thought that was a little chewy, but everything else was good. Good enough that I may actually break down and go to a real sushi place and try some other varieties.

They had a few non-chinese/asian foods as well, pizza and garlic bread, salad and chicken wings and fresh fruit. Since we always wind up with at least one person in the family who doesn’t want chinese, this means we can still go for chinese without anyone having to do without. The kids can have pizza while the adults can have chinese.

Whenever Scott and Alex come up from Dallas to visit, we usually go to Ryan’s for dinner. I swear Alex is addicted to buffets. You’d think living in Dallas the boy would have seen a buffet restaurant before, but apparently not. Next time they come up, Mom and I are going to suggest the China Star instead of Ryan’s. Don’t get me wrong, Ryan’s is great too, but that’s the kind of food I cook at home. When I’m eating out I like to try things I wouldn’t necessarily cook myself. I can cook a few asian dishes, but not nearly the variety you’ll find at China Star.
So if you’re in the mood for chinese, head for the China Star in BA, they’ll take great care of you.

Tulsa’s Historical Society operates a museum, admission is free, at 2445 South Peoria in Tulsa. The museum is open from 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday - Saturday, and is closed Sundays, Mondays, and holidays. I have to take the kids to this. We don’t get to visit museums often, since most of them do charge admission. I love that this one is free and educational, too.

October 4-6 at 8pm

Heller Theatre is finishing their run of “Wonderful World” by Richard Dresser. Directed by Lisa Stefanic, The cast includes Bonny Baker, Grey Cavitt, Susan Dergoul, Jerry Fuller and Marti Malone. The Stage Manager is Brigid Vance.

A fast paced comedy, about family misunderstandings between two brothers competing for their mother’s attention and their girlfriends’ patience. The plot spirals out of control as gossip and truth become interchangeable.

Saturday is Tulsa’s 15th Annual Aids Walk, 9am at Veteran’s Park, 21st and Boulder.

Visit our great new website or more info, and to register
or set up your team www.aidswalktulsa.org
Questions ????
Contact Janice Nicklas at (918) 585-5551 or
jnicklas@csctulsa.org
Come to a pre-party to register, drop off funds collected and pick up your t-shirts
For time and location check
www.aidswalktulsa.org
Currently, in the Tulsa community there are over 1,800 individuals who are living with HIV/AIDS+, and many more, we fear, who have HIV and who have not recently taken the HIV test.
The 2006 AIDS Walk Tulsa helps our community raise funds for the Tulsa Community AIDS Parnership, to assist in bringing 6 Americorps members to the Tulsa community to work in HIV prevention and education, testing, counseling and care programs. Tulsa is one of only 6
communities to host a National AIDS Fund Team and the only city to have a team since the program began in l993.
Bring your dogs, baby strollers and wheelchair.Banners are welcome on the 2 mile walk from 21st to 31st on Riverside Dr.

Here is last month’s collection of funny, sad, political, and sometimes rude sayings:

Always remember You’re Unique…..Just Like Everyone Else.

Boldly Going Nowhere

Consciousness…That annoying time between naps.

Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.

Change is inevitable…..struggle is an option.

Chaos, panic, disorder…my work here is done.

Freedom of Religion means any religion.

Earth First……We’ll strip mine the other planets later.

Heavily medicated for your safety. (I know way too many of these people.)

Don’t Steal…the government hates competition.

I’m for the separation of church and hate.

Make yourself at home…clean my kitchen.

I believe in dragons, good men, and other fantasy creatures.

Live simply…so that others may simply live.

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

And my personal favorite for the month:

There’s too much blood in my caffeine system.

One positive thing about being poor, you learn to stretch your dollars as far as possible. So, I must confess to shopping at Walmart. I like the smaller chain stores { Aldi’s and Save A LOT} better, and they do have lower prices.

I still have to go to a pharmacy, but I prefer to use the local  pharmacist instead of a chain anyway. Then there are all the different dollar stores for the non-food items on my shopping list. Dollar General, Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, and Big Lots are all well-represented in Tulsa.