Tulsa, OK

While the summer Olympic games are wrapping up in Beijing, we are preparing for our own Olympic-scale event! This Labor Day weekend the city’s newest and greatest jewel – the Cesar Pelli-designed BOK Center – will open its doors to Tulsans, a magical moment eagerly awaited since 2003.

This is your unique opportunity to see the ins and outs of the arena! Our very own celebrity guest Garth Brooks will be present during the grand-opening festivities. Entrance is free for all, and you can enjoy a number of great activities.

After the Labor Day weekend, the events at the BOK Center will take off! Highlights during the next few months include concerts by the Eagles and Celine Dion, Neil Diamond and Carrie Underwood, forums with the participation of Colin Powell and Joe Montana, magical performances by Cirque du Soleil, and the dedication of the BOK Center’s art collection on November 5. You can check out these dazzling events and more online at: www.bokcenter.com. Sign up for the arena’s e-newsletter, “The Insider,” to receive information about presales, discounts, and contests.

By SUSAN HYLTON World Staff Writer
8/24/2008

Courtesy / Nature Conservancy

The American burying beetle may not get the same attention the polar bear does, but it plays a crucial role in the breakdown of decomposing animals.

Without this specific type of beetle, which is endangered in Oklahoma, local scientists say that the number of carcasses would begin to pile up, which would be a huge problem.

Under the Bush administration’s proposed new regulations, government scientists would not be consulted if there is no foreseeable harm to threatened and endangered species when governmental entities authorize highways, dams, subdivisions and other projects.

The proposal has drawn criticism among Democrats and environmental groups who argue that it weakens the Endangered Species Act.

Chris Paolino, spokesman for the Department of the Interior, said that every agency employs its own biologists and that scientific reviews will not be completely removed.

Paolino said the proposed regulations were sparked when the polar bear was announced as a threatened species in May due to melting sea ice.

The new regulations are an attempt to protect the polar bear while limiting any harm done to the American economy, according to the DOI’s Web site.

The state of Alaska has sued the federal government, stating that listing the polar bear as a threatened species would harm oil and gas exploration, fishing, and tourism.

Paolino said that Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne made his intentions clear that “the Endangered Species Act should not be a back door in regulating the global climate change.”

Under the new regulations, Paolino said there would have to be scientific proof that a project would harm an individual species. Car emissions would not provide that proof, he said.

In the case of the American burying beetle, which is one of 19 animals and plants in Oklahoma that are either threatened or endangered, a direct cause would be disturbing the soil where they bury carcasses and lay their eggs.

Fish and wildlife biologist Ken Collins of Oklahoma Ecological Services said he and his staff spend a considerable amount of time on the American burying beetle because most development projects involve moving dirt.

“Just about every project that has a potential to move dirt has the potential to impact a beetle,” he said.

The regulation changes would also include a 60-day timeline when government scientists are consulted.

“It had been getting extremely backlogged,” Paolino said.

Steve Hensley, refuge manager at the Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge in Vian, said the new regulations will make it harder to protect the species, but make economic development easier.

“This administration is not known for its environmental concern,” Hensley said.

Scientists protect beetles by luring them out of a disturbance area with dead organisms, known as carrion, that they feed on.

“They’ll relocate on their own,” Collins said. “Typically what we use is rotten chicken parts.”

The beetles are about an inch and a half long and can travel more than half a mile in a night.

Collins sees some good aspects to the regulations. Project “no-brainers” that obviously have only a beneficial effect would no longer require a consultation, which would free up biologists to create more recovery plans to conserve species over the long haul, he said.

Fish and wildlife biologist Hayley Dikeman said the American burying beetle has vanished from more than 90 percent of its historic range in the United States and southeast portions of Canada.

Threatened and endangered species in Oklahoma

Animals

Gray bat
Indiana bat
Ozark big-eared bat
American burying beetle
Ozark cavefish
Whooping crane
Eskimo curlew
Leopard darter
Neosho Madtom
Winged Mapleleaf
Scaleshell mussel
Piping plover
Ouachita rock pocketbook
Arkansas River shiner
Least tern
Black-capped vireo
Gray wolf
Red-cockaded woodpecker

Plants

Eastern prairie fringed orchid

Tod and Jamie Hanley aren’t the only Oklahoma gardeners looking for ways to beat the summer heat, but their solution is original: they garden in winter instead, using homemade hoop houses.

On Sunday, September 14, from 2 to 6, the Hanleys will treat visitors to their Trebuchet Gardens in Norman to a hands-on workshop. They’ll demonstrate how to build low-cost, high-profit hoop houses.

“I want people to see just how quick and easy it is,” says Tod Hanley.

A hoop house works like a greenhouse, but without powered heat or ventilation. The Hanleys’ design keeps their crops happy, weathers the elements, and keeps costs down.

That lets the Hanleys extend their growing season, harvesting warm-weather crops earlier and later than other growers, and keeping cold-hardy ones going all winter long.

At the field day, they will go through the process of building one of their hoop houses.

“We’re going to bend some pipes, put in rebar. It’ll be very how-to,” Tod says.

“I’m not an expert on hoop houses,” he says. “I just tried a bunch and looked at a lot that fell down.”

Their hoop houses have withstood 50 mile-per-hour winds that demolished commercial versions, and come cheaper.

To cut expenses, the pair used a homemade pipe bender to form their own hoops from straight tubing that cost three times less than pre-formed hoops.

Three years ago, the Hanleys built their three 17′ by 100′ hoop houses for $600 each, while commercial versions were selling for over $1000.

Growing produce on less than a third of an acre, the couple makes weekly deliveries to individual customers. They also sell to local health and natural food stores.

Registration for the workshop includes an Oklahoma-grown dinner and costs $10, due by September 11. The event will be held rain or shine;

bring a lawn chair and wear outdoor shoes. Register at www.kerrcenter.com or 918.647.9123.

The Kerr Center is sponsoring the workshop together with the Oklahoma
Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, in partnership with the
USDA Risk Management Agency.

Just to follow up on last week’s post:

Recycling conserves natural resources, protects the environment and reduces litter. Many natural resources, including minerals like aluminum, copper, lead and zinc; sand; coal, oil and natural gas occur in limited supplies. They are non-renewable. As we use them to make things, we use them up.

It took a long, long time for nature to produce these resources through natural decay, erosion, compaction and the forces of heat. No additional supplies can be created for a long time, and certainly not during our lifetimes or the lifetime of our children and grandchildren.

Other resources are renewable, meaning that given time nature can produce more. One renewable resource is trees. When people cut down a tree for fuel or to make products, another tree can be grown. But it doesn’t happen over night; the tree may need to grow for a decade before it can be cut down and used. And too much tree-cutting can destroy habitat needed by plants and animals to survive, not to mention that trees take in carbon dioxide and give back the oxygen that we all need to live.

One way to make sure that we will have enough of these materials with which to make things for decades to come is to:

Reduce the amount we use;

Reuse the product for something else at home or at work; and

Recycle – turn in the product so that manufacturers can use it to make something else or make another of the same type of product.

It’s easy for all Tulsans to recycle. All City of Tulsa customers with residential trash service can sign up for convenient curbside recycling of newspaper, junk mail, magazines, office paper, plastic, glass and aluminum.

Tulsans also can take those and other recyclables to one of the 12 free drop-off sites in the area operated by the Metropolitan Environmental Trust (M.e.t.).

And, you can recycle many household pollutants at one of the biannual Fairgrounds Pollutant Collection events, operated by the City of Tulsa Public Works Environmental Operations division and the M.E.T. Be sure to visit the City of Tulsa website to learn more about what can be recycled, and what is considered hazardous waste – you might be surprised!

Tulsans who have information that can help solve crimes can now text message those tips to the CRIME STOPPERS program, operated by the Crime Commission of Oklahoma in conjunction with the Tulsa Police Department.

CRIME STOPPERS is a citizen-supported program that allows people to report criminal activities anonymously and receive financial rewards. It has operated in the past by telephone tips. The telephone access (596-2677) will continue, but now wireless phone users can also provide information by text messaging.

Text-A-Tip Today!
The Crime Commission recently received funding from State Farm Insurance to fund the addition of text messaging to the anonymous tip program. The Tulsa Police Department hopes that by adding this option more people will be willing to text crime tips – especially teenagers.

With more than 300,000 text messages per minute sent daily nationwide, most active users are teenagers and young adults. Tipsters remain completely anonymous and may earn a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers if their information leads to an arrest. Tips are taken 24 hours a day.

The directions to compose a crime tip are:

– Text “TIP918” and then send your message to “CRIMES” (274637) –

When the text is received, the sender will receive a pin number within 10 seconds or less confirming receipt of the information. The tipster will be instructed to call 9-1-1 if it is an emergency and/or a crime is in progress they are reporting.

You can also submit a tip online.

The CRIME STOPPERS program began in 1979. STOPPERS’ tips have been directly responsible for solving hundreds of felony crimes and the recovery of millions of dollars in stolen property, and narcotics. Since its inception, more than $400,000 has been awarded for information that resulted in solving more than 4,500 felony cases.

Tulsa Parks’ Fall Leagues

Tulsa Parks announced their Fall Adult Sports Leagues consisting of Women’s Flag Football, Volleyball, Men’s & Women’s Basketball, Dodgeball and for the first time – Futsal, a five-on-five indoor soccer game with no goalie.

Get exercise and make new friends with a minor time commitment!  Each fall, more than 300 men and women of all fitness levels participate in the leagues encompassing five Tulsa Recreation Centers. Each league has games lasting two – three months. Fees range from $60 – $80 per team, plus a small ‘per game’ fee for the officiating.

To register, adults must be at least 18 years of age (at least 16 years old for Volleyball and Dodgeball) and visit one of the following Recreation Centers:

Women’s Flag Football
Sunday games start September 14
Registration Deadline: August 29
Hicks Park, 3443 S. Mingo, 669-6355

women's flag football

Coed Volleyball
Tuesday games start September 23
Registration Deadline: September 5
Intermediate - Hicks Park; 3443 S. Mingo; 669-6355
Recreational - Reed Park; 4233 S. Yukon; 591-4307

co-ed volleyball

Men’s Basketball
Registration Deadline: August 29
Owen Park, 560 N. Maybelle; 596-1485
Thursday games start September 18

Women’s Basketball
Registration Deadline: August 22
McClure Park; 7440 E. 7th; 669-6678
Thursday games start September 4

Dodgeball
Monday games start October 6
Registration Deadline: September 19
Whiteside Park; 4009 S. Pittsburg; 746-5040

Futsal
Monday games start September 22
Registration Deadline: September 5
Hicks Park, 3443 S. Mingo, 669-6678

For additional information, participants should call the appropriate Recreation Center or call Rhonda Freiner at 596-2526.

Senior Fitness and Fun

Tulsa Parks offers a variety of both regular programs and seasonal activities for seniors, including fitness classes, a basketball team, social events, and special senior discounts. Most centers boast high-quality fitness facilities with only a $1 – $2 charge per visit and classes for $15 – $20/month.

This summer features a “Forever Fit” series of free Lunch-n-Learn sessions, where experts lead a dialogue with seniors on topics important to them. The next session, named “Safety Awareness for the 50+” is scheduled for September 8, 1 p.m. at the Montereau Assisted Living – 6800 S. Granite Dr.

For more information, call Jennifer O’Leary, Tulsa Parks Senior Programs, at 596-7866. The full list of programs geared toward seniors is available in the Tulsa Parks print Fun Guide or online.

If you’re looking for a fun-filled sporting event involving a muddy obstacle course, then the Get Fit Tulsa Mud Run 2008 can fulfill your quest for an action-packed weekend.

This ground-breaking Mayor’s Fitness Challenge event will be held Saturday, August 23 at the Mohawk Park Shelter 6. The race begins at 5 p.m. – participants must be age 18 years or older.

During the mud extravaganza, individuals and teams of two or five members will be tested in their endurance as they run, walk, or crawl through mud pits, cross over railroad ties, climb walls, and much more.

For entry fees and online registration, visit www.active.com. You can also register at Runners World – 4329 S. Peoria. Registration will be from August 18 – 22, 2008. Race day registration begins at 4 p.m. Proceeds from the Get Fit Tulsa Mud Run, Tulsa’s first-ever mud run, will benefit local community charities and the Tulsa Fire Burn Camp.

Since this is Tulsa’s first Mud Run, I found video of Dallas/Fort Worth’s Mud Run on YouTube:

Mayor’s Fitness Challenge for Tulsans!

What’s Our Mission?

To create a healthier state, where residents choose to change and improve their fitness and nutritional habits in order to lead overall healthier lifestyles.

What Are Our Goals?

Our coalition of partners is helping to…

• Challenge residents of Tulsa and the surrounding cities to get fit and healthy
• Challenge businesses to step up their fitness programs or offer fitness plans and/or facilities for employees as part of overall wellness programs, as well as other challenges between partners, institutions, cities, etc.
• Build the foundation for a long-term, evolving effort throughout the state
• Lead, inspire, and motivate

Who Can Participate?

Everyone can get involved in the Mayor’s Fitness Challenge, no matter what age or fitness level. Whether you choose to walk, dance, run, skip, bike, or swim your way to a healthier body, it really is important to engage in a fun, physical activity every day.

Check out our entire site for great fitness tips, healthy snacks and recipes, informative links, trail maps, and much more.

“Tulsa Talents” Results At Final Neighborfest

Hundreds of Tulsans braved the August heat to cheer on their favorite acts in the final round of competition at the final Neighborfest of the 2008 Season at Veterans Park last week.

Seven finalists, including solo and duet singers and dance troupes performed at the final round which was judged by members of the Tulsa City Council.

The voters selected Zachery Taylor, who qualified when he performed at the Clark Park Neighborfest in June, as the overall winner. Taylor received the $500 first-place prize and trophy.

The second-place trophy and $300 went to singer Anna Massey.

Third place and $100 went to Jacob Mitchell.

The final Neighborfest drew one of the largest crowds of the season

Comprehensive Guide to Downtown Tulsa Released

Whether you are looking for a dazzling dining experience, a unique tourist attraction for out-of-town guests, or a market with fresh local produce, downtown Tulsa is the place to be. TulsaNow, a grassroots organization dedicated to downtown revival, has recently released the new free DowntownLive! guide, which can help you navigate through downtown’s many gems.

This downtown “GPS” consists of two parts – a printed map of Tulsa and a Web site. Maps with an A-to-Z listing of area venues will be available in downtown hotels, restaurants, and event centers starting in early September.

The Web site is a platform for Tulsans and visitors to do their “homework” before heading out to downtown. Online visitors will be able to view photos and maps, get directions, use the Web site search engine based on specific criteria (such as “live music,” “outdoor dining,” and “free wi-fi”), and read reviews. Readers can also write their own reviews, upload photos, and comment on content.

To check out the guide, go to: www.downtownlive.org

Why recycle? It’s one of the “greenest” things you can do. When you recycle a plastic bottle:

• It keeps that item out of the landfill, or trash heap, or ocean;
• It allows the materials in that item to be used again either to:
  • Make a similar product (another plastic bottle or aluminum can)
  • Make a different product (even clothing can be made out of plastic!)

So what’s the deal with plastics, and the numbers that are stamped (1-7) on these bottles and containers?

The number is the resin identification code, and indicates not only the heat required to melt this plastic, but the number of other chemicals and substances that might be in the plastic mix. Some of these other substances may prevent the melting and reuse of the plastic. Plastics must often be of nearly identical composition in order to mix efficiently when melted.

Items such as soda pop bottles, milk jugs, water bottles, juice bottles, laundry detergent bottles, soap bottles, shampoo bottles and other types of bottles that have handles or necks are usually numbered #1. This stands for PET — Polyethylene Terephthalate. Soft drink, water and salad dressing bottles; peanut butter and jam jars are included in this category. Many of these items can be reused to make things that once might have been made with polyester.

Items labeled #2 are High density polyethylene, a very durable plastic. Milk, juice and water bottles; trash and retail bags often have this number. These plastics are often remade into things like plastic tables and landscape timbers.

Items labeled #3 include juice bottles, cling films and PVC piping. This type of plastic is known as Polyvinyl chloride and is known for its versatility, clarity, ease of blending, strength, toughness.

Items labeled #4 include frozen food bags; squeezable bottles, e.g. honey, mustard; cling films; flexible container lids. This low density polyethylene has ease of processing, strength, toughness, flexibility, ease of sealing, and is a good barrier to moisture.

Items labeled #5 are made of a type of plastic known as polypropylene, which has strength, toughness, resistance to heat, chemicals, grease and oil, versatile, barrier to moisture. It is found in reusable microwaveable ware; kitchenware; yogurt containers; margarine tubs; microwaveable disposable take-away containers; disposable cups and plates.

Items labeled #6 are made of polystyrene. Items made of this type of plastic feature versatility, clarity, easily formed. Egg cartons; packing peanuts; “Styrofoam”; disposable cups, plates, trays and cutlery; disposable take-away containers;

Items labeled #7. Polycarbonate are dependent on polymers or combination or polymers in their mix. Items with this number include: beverage bottles; baby milk bottles; and electronic casing.

The quantity of post-consumer plastics recycled has increased every year since at least 1990. In 2006 the amount of plastic bottles recycled reached a record high of 2,220,000,000 pounds. The amount of PET bottles recycled in 2006 increased more than 102 million pounds compared to 2005. HDPE bottle recycling increased in 2005 to 928 million pounds. All plastic bottles were recycled at a rate of 24 percent in 2005.

Tulsans and their best friends showed up Friday for a Media Preview Event at Tulsa’s first official dog park, the Joe Station Bark Park, located at 2279 Charles Page Blvd. The dog park is located in a converted baseball field, with ample adjacent parking and evening lights. Admission is free.

About three dozen animals and their owners were present, ranging in size from a 230-pound mastiff to a tiny 4-pound Yorky.

Some owners exercised their dogs, throwing Frisbees or tennis balls. Other owners lounged in the shade while their dogs roamed and played with other dogs or interacted with other humans. There were plastic swimming pools to cool off in and buckets of water for the canines; cookies and water for the humans. Although the completely fenced dog park has separate areas for large and small dogs, all the dogs roamed in the large dog pen during Friday’s event.

The new dog park was named for the trolley stop previously located nearby along the historic Interurban Line that once connected Tulsa to Sand Springs.

The dog park is a result of a cooperative agreement with the City of Tulsa initiated by the newly-organized Tulsa Dog Park Task Force, chaired by Herb Beattie. The Task Force has considered about 25 sites in the city for their potential to host a dog park. It is anticipated that up to five bark park sites might be operational within two years.

Funding for dog park development will come almost entirely from the private sector. Donations may be made through the Tulsa Community Foundation, Bark Park Fund, 7030 S. Yale, Suite 600, Tulsa, OK 74136. For more information, go to www.tulsabarkpark.com.

Mayor Kathy Taylor is partnering with the U.S. Department of Labor, East Central University and Workforce Oklahoma to offer a Veterans Workforce Investment Program, adding this essential program to a slate of services sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Veteran Affairs.

Workforce Oklahoma is now accepting applicants for the program, which will be launched in October. To apply, veterans should call one of the following Workforce Tulsa veterans’ representatives for eligibility criteria and more information about the program:

Sandy Oxford (918) 596-2198
Preston Bargas (918) 596-2174
Joseph Estrella (918) 384-2366
Chris Jones (918) 384-2363

“This is one of the many programs my office has worked to accomplish for the men and women who serve this country,” Taylor said. “Transition from service to civilian life can be difficult. My office is working with various partners to ensure service members have knowledge and access to the available services, and create new services that fill voids and help them make that transition. This is one way we can thank and honor those who are returning from the Middle East, as well as to provide assistance to veterans of all foreign wars who have a need.”

The program is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor and administered by East Central University. The program is geared toward veterans who may have disabilities or employment barriers. It pays veterans stipends to attend up to eight weeks of classes and workshops that cover employment readiness issues, career exploration, goal setting, resumes, interviewing techniques, academic remediation, computer skills and networking opportunities.

The program has a holistic approach, designed to provide a support system to meet a variety of veteran needs. Veterans eligible for employment and/or training will meet 30 hours a week – six hours a day on weekdays – for four weeks during the first month, followed by four-to-six-weeks of on-the-job training (OJT) or work experience. During the VWIP, local veteran employment representatives also work with veterans to help them identify and obtain long-term employment opportunities.

Tulsa is currently home to more than 36,000 veterans and as a state Oklahoma ranks third in the nation for National Guard and Reserve deployments with 3,326 currently overseas. When these service members return from deployment, they may face employment barriers as they begin their transition into civilian jobs. However, this new collaboration between the Mayor’s Office and Workforce Oklahoma seeks to alleviate barriers for veterans by creating pathways to job training.

The program offers benefits for employers as well. During the OJT component of the program, employers have an opportunity to add personnel to their staff at no cost to them, and evaluate potential employees for permanent employment. Employers who hire their veteran trainees at the end of the OJT could also receive tax credits.

Route 66 Plaza, Memorial Bridge Dedicated

Mayor Kathy Taylor, City Councilors, and Oklahoma Centennial Commission officials gathered to celebrate the completion of two Vision 2025 projects that promote Route 66 through Tulsa: the Cyrus Avery Route 66 Centennial Plaza and Memorial Bridge, both made possible through funding from Vision 2025 and the Oklahoma Centennial Commission.

Featured speaker at the Thursday morning dedication was Michael Wallis, author of “Route 66: The Mother Road,” and considered the foremost authority on Route 66. Wallis has provided his voice for the Sheriff character in the Disney Pixar movie, “Cars.”

“These and other Vision 2025 projects have been accomplished through the cooperative efforts of the City of Tulsa and Tulsa County,” Mayor Kathy Taylor said. “We especially want to thank the Route 66 Design Recommendation Committee for their guidance in the creation of this beautiful place.”

Also present at the dedication were two of Cyrus Avery’s grandchildren: Cyrus Stephens Avery II of Washington D.C., and Joy Avery of Tulsa.

The Plaza and Memorial Bridge are the two most recently completed Vision 2025 Route 66 projects. Also completed is installation of signs marking the historic route. Two Route 66 projects currently under construction are the Meadow Gold sign and the Southwest Boulevard train site.

For more information about Vision 2025 Route 66 projects, visit: www.vision2025.info

Hindsight is Preparation for Next Time’s Disaster

How could Tulsa have been more prepared before the ice storm hit last winter? What should we have done differently? Many of us coming from dark homes to our workplaces certainly discussed these things with coworkers, before braving the loss of power for another night.

With the ice storm still fresh on the minds of Tulsans, how can we be more ready for the next flood or tornado? The City of Tulsa invites residents who have ideas on how to improve our disaster preparedness to offer comments at a public meeting next week.

The meeting will be held Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the Francis Campbell Auditorium, 200 Civic Center, Plaza Level (west of the Central Library, adjacent to the old City Hall). Increasing our preparedness for natural disasters will help reduce death, injuries and destruction that may occur.

Citizens who would like to review the current Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan or cannot attend the public meeting may offer their comments online.

17th Annual Festival of Wheels Car Show

Saturday, August 16, 2008 (8:00 AM)
The Broken Arrow Elks Lodge hosts the 17th Annual Festival of Wheels Car Show Saturday, August 16 at the lodge, 101st & Oneta Road (about 2 miles east of the NSU Broken Arrow campus). Registration runs from 8am-noon; the registration fee is $15. The ‘Great Pretenders’ stage show begins at 1pm inside our meeting hall; admission to the both shows is free. For more information, call Gary Campbell at 355-1454.

Concessions and beverages will be available, and prizes, 50/50 drawings and trophies will be awarded.

Trophy Classes:
Car Classes / Truck Classes
1900-1954 original, 1900-1954 original
1900-1954 modified, 1900-1954 modified
1955-1957 original, 1955-1969 original
1955-1957 modified, 1955-1969 modified
1958-1978 original, 1970-1985 original
1958-1978 modified, 1970-1985 modified
1979-up original, 1986-up original
1979-up modified, 1986-up modified

Camaro / Firebird

Mini Trucks and Vans
1964-½ -1972 Mustang, street rods
1973-up Mustang, special interest, kit cars

Thunderbird

Chevelle

Corvettes
1953-1982 Corvette
1983-up Corvette

Motorcycles, American
and Foreign

1st Annual Tulsa Renaissance Faire

Saturday, August 16, 2008 - Sunday, August 17, 2008 (All Day)
Tulsa Parks hosts the 1st Annual Tulsa Renaissance Faire August 16th and 17th (Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday 10am-5pm) at Chandler Park, 6500 W. 21st St., in Tulsa. Journey to a time of the knights in shining armor. Merchants and artisans coming together for the faire. The King has invited the lords and ladies of the land to enjoy arts and crafts, food, games, medieval fighting, dancing, reenactment and more. The event is free. For more information, call 596-5990 or email kingschampion.com.

All-You-Can-Eat Benefit Breakfast

Saturday, August 16, 2008 (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM)
VFW Post 577 is hosting an All-You-Can-Eat Benefit Breakfast August 16 from 8-10am at the post 1109 E. 6th Street, in Tulsa. The menu includes scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits, gravy, potatoes, and pancakes. All proceeds benefit veteran activities. For more information contact Shirley Bruce at 918-812-7646.

Greenwood Heritage Festival

Saturday, August 16, 2008 (5:30 PM)
The Greenwood Chamber of Commerce hosts the Greenwood Heritage Festival August 16 from 5:30pm-Midnight at Greenwood & Archer in the Greenwood District. Bring your lawn chairs for a free jazz & blues concert; food and drinks are available. For more information, contact Suddonna Ward at 918-808-4685.

Literacy Tutor Training

Tuesday 8/12/2008 at 05:45 PM to 8:45 pm
This event will be held at Central Library
Event Description: Tuesdays, Aug. 12, 19; Thursdays, Aug. 14, 21 Tulsa City-County Library’s Ruth G. Hardman Adult Literacy Service needs volunteer tutors to help adults improve their reading and writing skills. Tutors must be 18 years or older and have graduated from high school. Each trained volunteer is matched with an adult student to provide one-on-one tutoring once or twice a week. Volunteers are asked to make a one-year commitment to tutor. Tutors must complete all sessions of this workshop. Preregistration is required. The registration deadline is Aug. 11. To register for the workshop or for dates of additional workshops scheduled throughout the year, call 596-7958 or visit www.tulsalibrary.org/literacy.
This event is for adults .

In Focus Presents “The Writing Code: The Greatest Invention”

Wednesday 8/13/2008 at 12:00 PM to 1:00 pm
This event will be held at Central Library Aaronson Auditorium
Event Description: Egyptian hieroglyphs, Persian cuneiform, Chinese, Mayan and Cherokee are all distinctly invented forms of writing. Our modern alphabet has helped to simplify the process. Join us for this film showing and find out why the invention of writing more than 5,000 years ago may be more important than the wheel.
This event is for adults and teens .

Girls Guild Book Discussion Group: Sequoyah Award Nominees

Thursday 8/14/2008 at 06:00 PM to 6:45 pm
This event will be held at Helmerich Library
Event Description: We will discuss the Sequoyah Award nominees for 2008-09. Read a book of your choice for a lively discussion. We’ll provide the snacks.
This event is for girls ages 9-12 .

Free Back-to-School Haircuts & School Supplies

Monday, August 11, 2008 (10:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
On August 11 from 10am-4pm, Bixby Beauty College will provide free back-to-school haircuts and school supplies (all on a first-come basis) to school-aged children grades pre-K through 12th-grade, plus refreshments. The school is located at 8510 E. 131st St. South, in Bixby. For more information, contact Cassandra Spears at 918-369-5757.

Annual Senior Adult Rally

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 (9:30 AM)
Central Baptist Church welcomes senior adults to a morning of inspiration, laughter, music and lunch. The 5th Annual Senior Adult Rally is Tuesday, August 12 at 9:30am at the church, 9001 N. 145th E. Avenue, in Owasso. The speaker is Tom Lester from the TV sitcom, “Green Acres.” Pre-registration a must; call 272-3376 for tickets. Tickets are $11. For more information, contact Faye Loyd at 918-272-3376.

All-You-Can-Eat Indian Taco Dinner

Friday, August 15, 2008 - Saturday, August 16, 2008 (11:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Tulsa Indian United Methodist Church hosts an All-You-Can-Eat Indian Taco Dinner August 15-16 from 11am-4pm at the church, 1901 North College in Tulsa. The menu includes taco, dessert, coffee or tea; the cost is $7. We offer to-go and phone orders (6 or more, please). Proceeds benefit church repair and utilities. For more information, call the church at 834-1956 or call Fred Crittenden at 835-7837.
Contact: Fred CrittendenTulsa Indian United Methodist ChurchPhone: 834-1956 or 835-7837

12th Annual Community Health Fair

Saturday, August 16, 2008 (8:00 AM - 2:00 PM)

Golden Rule Charity/Tulsa Black Healthcare hosts the 12th Annual Community Health Fair August 16 from 8am-2pm at the Church of Christ, 2247 N. Peoria, in Tulsa. We’ll have free health screenings, diabetic blood pressure, depression, healthy lifestyle education and much more. The event is free. For more information, call is Dr. Susanne Thompson or Corliss McDondle at 918-587-5100.