On Oct. 19, Tulsa’s history will come alive with the premiere of the documentary Before They Die!, the newest in-depth look at the Tulsa Race Riot.

This compelling film about the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot vividly depicts what happens to a community when intolerance and distrust rule. The documentary’s epilogue shows how the Tulsa community is coming together to address serious issues of racism and bigotry and to remember the important lessons of local history.

The screening will be held at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center (Chapman Music Hall) on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25.

The film is presented by the Metropolitan Urban League, Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice (OCCJ), YWCA Tulsa, and Mayor Kathy Taylor. The presentation will feature a special guest appearance by Alfre Woodard.

Ticket and sponsorship information is available at: www.ywca.org/tulsasjourney

Mayor Kathy Taylor announced that Tulsa Fire Chief Allen LaCroix has selected a new fire marshal and a new deputy chief of support services. The new fire marshal is David C. Dayringer, a 28-year veteran of the Tulsa Fire Department. The new deputy chief of support services is Tim Cooper, who has served TFD for nearly 24 years. The two positions are equal in rank: the fire marshal also is known as deputy chief of safety services.

Dayringer joined the Tulsa Fire Department in 1980, and has held positions including fire equipment operator, chief’s aide, fire captain, district chief, training chief, and deputy chief of support services. He also served in leadership roles for the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 176, including three terms as president.

As fire marshal, Dayringer plans, organizes and implements Fire Department activities related to fire prevention, fire safety, public fire education, fire investigation, arson suppression, and the regulation of hazardous materials. His responsibilities also include developing legislative and regulatory proposals regarding life and fire safety; providing fire prevention code interpretations; and enforcing ordinances, statutes, and regulatory requirements relating to fire protection.

Cooper joined the Tulsa Fire Department in 1985, and has held positions including fire equipment operator, fire captain, and chief of emergency medical services. A certified emergency medical technician since 1996, Cooper has received specialized training through the National Fire Academy.

As deputy chief of support services, Cooper plans, organizes, and implements Fire Department activities related to specialized operations, training, emergency medical services, finances, physical resources, safety and health.

The City of Tulsa Animal Welfare Shelter located at 3031 N. Erie Ave will host the Trick or Treat Animal Expo and Fall Open House this Saturday, Oct. 11, from noon to 4 p.m.

The event celebrates national Adopt-a-Dog Month, and encourages community adoptions and use of shelter services. Area animal rescue organizations and other advocacy groups and businesses will provide information about their services in booths at the Expo/Open House.

Those who adopt animals from the shelter on Saturday will receive free microchips and pet tags for those animals, courtesy of the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals. Pet owners who bring their dogs to the event may purchase microchips for $20.

A pet costume parade at 3 p.m. will highlight the day.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Tickets on sale now!
Prices: $54.50, $45, $35

See your TOP TEN perform live on stage in this FALL’S HOTTEST TOUR. The tour will waltz, tango and krump it’s way across North America offering audiences the opportunity to see their favorite dancers command the stages of arenas

Finalists participating include Chelsie H, Comfort, Courtney G, Katee, Kherington, Gev, Joshua, Mark, Twitch and Will. Jessica, who recently left the show due to an unfortunate injury, may return to the stage when the dancers embark on the nationwide tour.

The show will feature hit routines from the TV show as well as original pieces created just for the tour.

So You Think You Can Dance Tour 2008 Tacoma - Mark & Chelsie

Please note, the So You Think You Can Dance itinerary is complete and no additional cities will be added this year. Although the tour would love to stop in every city to perform for all its fans, time constraints make it impossible to visit every market that wishes to see the tour.

We hope that you will join us at one of the shows closest to you.

I am so glad Tulsa is one of the venues chosen for this year’s tour. I love this show. Even my husband, who detests “reality” tv has gotten into watching this with me. Of course, I’m sure it doesn’t hurt that the girls are beautiful and not all the dances are “boring” ballroom stuff (which I love and he hates).

We haven’t been to any events at the new BOK Arena, but if this is any indication of the types of shows it can/will pull in for us, I’m thrilled. Now if they can just sort out the parking….

If you are over 50 and love a good run, the Tulsa Parks Department encourages you to sign up for the “Run for the Roses” event set for Saturday, October 11.

“Run for the Roses” will start at Centennial Park, 1028 E. 6th St., at 8 a.m. The course will take runners through three kilometers of Tulsa streets and finish at the Tulsa Garden Center’s Rose Garden – 2435 S. Peoria. At the finish line, participants can enjoy a continental breakfast of bagels, cream cheese, and fruit. The nearly 3k fun run is sponsored by Tulsa Parks and Gold Medallion Health Care.

The fun run will start at the Central Center in Centennial Park – 1028 E. 6th St. and head east to Peoria. From 6th and Peoria, the run will head straight south to the Rose Garden at 2435 S. Peoria.

No onsite, day-of-race registrations will be taken. Athletes can register by stopping by The Broadmoor Retirement Community at 8205 E. 22nd St. or by visiting the Tulsa Parks website: www.tulsaparks.org

For more information on Tulsa Parks Senior Programs, contact Jennifer O’Leary at 596-7866.

Concentrating on Tulsa’s fastest growing demographic, Tulsa Parks has begun offering health and wellness programs for those ages 50 years and older. Jennifer O’Leary serves as Program Planner for this exciting and latest addition to the Tulsa Parks recreation program.

The program is headquartered at the highly acclaimed Central Community Center at Centennial Park, 1028 East 6th St. Jennifer also serves as editor of a new newsletter, “Forever Fit 50+”, designed for men and women who are interested in learning about a variety of topics specifically designed to improve the health and fitness of those in this demographic. To view the newsletter, just click here.

“This is such an exciting time for Tulsa Parks and a great opportunity for this age group to have fun, get fit, and meet people,” says O’Leary. “Other programs include bowling, tennis, and a Lunch-n-Learn series where once a month people can bring their lunch and learn about health and wellness topics from a guest speaker.”

The Lunch-n-Learn sessions are free. There is a minimal fee for exercise classes.

For more information, participants should call the Central Community Center at 596-1444.

Oklahomans for Equality opens new art exhibit at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center…sculptures by Cletus Michael Freiburger.

The core inspiration and passion of Freiburger’s artistic process is working to achieve a visual statement that projects sensuality. Whether it is the play of light slipping along the curves a sculptural form, the allure of a lush color palette glowing across a canvas, or the sinuous line of pencil on paper, his work is successful for himself only if it conveys that passion and sensuality.

Mr. Freiburger states, “Though I work in many media, sculpture has been the discipline to which I return, time and time again. Its attraction comes from the intimacy I have with the medium as I work, offering both tactile and visual gratification. When a sculpture is fully realized to my satisfaction, its appeal encompasses both sight and touch. I strive to achieve a surface that is fluid with enticing visual rhythms.  A surface that invites inspection from all angles and one that creates a sensual union of line, form and mass. The three dimensional aspect encourages inspection on many levels from many vantage points.  Smooth, supple forms invite one to enjoy each sculpture visually from a distance and to touch it up close, creating a more intimate connection with the sculptural form.”

This exhibit will feature a quintet of nude male torsos and a quartet of full figure male nudes and a single male figure. In reference to his work, Freiburger says, “each pose is, in essence, a self portrait - capturing a particular phase of my life experience. Presented unadorned, in the nude - with no apologies - no masks - they suggest a mood, an emotion or a state of being. While the titles offer glimpses into my personal experiences, they are not intended to limit or dictate interpretation of the pose. They are meant as a starting point rather than a destination. Just as the first view that one encounters leads to more discoveries as the sculpture is viewed from many angles.”

2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars

Oct 9, 2008 at BOK Center

Starring the 2008 Men’s & Women’s Olympic Team!!

2008 World Tour of Gymnastics Superstars
When: October 9th, 2008
Where: BOK Center

Tickets on sale now!

Ticket Prices: $75, $55, $40, $30
Group discounts:  For groups of ten or more you will receive $5 off for the $40 and $30 tickets.

After returning from Beijing, the 2008 World Tour of Gymnastic Superstars will feature the USA Olympic gymnastics team. Already confirmed on the tour will be the entire men’s and majority of the women’s team, in addition to past Olympians Blaine Wilson and Oklahoman’s own Shannon Miller. The athletes will be performing routines to live contemporary music and today’s biggest hits, thanks to Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records and their upcoming CD Release Girlz Rock 2.

Sponsored By:

Lil Wayne

Oct 11, 2008 at BOK Center

Lil Wayne and Friends
“Carter III Tour”
Saturday, October 11th
Prices: $139, $109 , $75, $45, and $39

Tickets On Sale Now

In the span of his 13-year career, Lil Wayne has sold over six million units, including his magnum opus, The Carter II (2005) which sold over 2.5 million units. He has been featured on numerous high profile singles including Fat Joe’s Grammy nominated single “Make It Rain.”

GQ Magazine named Lil Wayne as its “Man Of The Year” for 2007. Rolling Stone Magazine tagged him as “Best MC of 2008” while Blender Magazine (2008) named him the “Best Rock Star Alive.” So it should come as no surprise that his latest solo outing finds the hip-hop super star at the top of his game. With Tha Carter III, Lil Wayne proves to the world why he is indeed considered “the best rapper alive” and one of the great recording artists of his generation.

Join Mayor Kathy Taylor, Bank of Oklahoma Senior Vice President Steve Bradshaw, and fellow Tulsans for the 2008 Tulsa Run Oct. 25. First-time racers and trained runners alike are welcome to participate in a 15k, 5k, or 2k Fun Run, touring downtown and midtown Tulsa. The race will raise $25,000 for Family and Children Services.

Mayor Taylor and Bradshaw, the race’s celebrity runners, have been training for months. Students from McLain High School – known as Team Taylor in Training – have followed their example by participating in several 5k runs this year, along with trainer, Kathy Hoover.

More than 7,000 miles away, Oklahoma Air National Guard members will be a part of the Tulsa Run too. In Iraq troops will be running at the Balad Air Base as their family members participate in the Tulsa Run. In Tulsa, the event will also raise money for Operation Homefront, a fund set up to help families whose loved ones are serving in the military. By donating $1 to Operation Homefront, racers receive a placard bearing the name of a service member of their choosing.

The deadline for registration for the Tulsa Run is Oct. 18, after which a late registration fee will be assigned. Participants may pick up their packets on Oct. 24 at the Fitness Expo, OU-Tulsa Learning Center at 41st St. and Yale Ave. For more details and online registration, visit: www.tulsarun.com

New Courses for 2008!

The Tulsa Run will follow a new course for 2008, with beautiful tours of downtown and midtown Tulsa.

15k Race (9.3 miles)

The 15km run begins at 3rd and Boulder, goes south on Boulder to 15th St. Left on 15th St. through the Cherry Street district to Utica. Right on Utica to 21st St. Right on 21st to Exit ramp to Riverside Dr. on 23rd St. bridge. Right on exit ramp and South on Riverside Dr. to 39th St. Turn left around median and back north on Riverside to Denver. Right on Denver Ave. to the finish line at 2nd and Denver (near the BOK Arena).

5k Race (3.1 miles)

The 5km run begins at 3rd and Boulder. Go south on Boulder to 15th St. Right on 15th to Denver. Left on Denver to Riverside Dr. Left on Riverside to the turn located under the 23rd St. bridge. Turn and go back north to Denver Ave. Right on Denver Ave. to the finish line at 2nd and Denver Ave. (near the BOK Arena).

2k Fun Run (1.2 miles)

The Fun Run begins at 3rd and Boulder and proceeds south to 11th St. Right on 11th St. to Denver Ave. Right on Denver Ave. to the finish line at 2nd and Denver Ave. near the BOK Arena.

Skateboarders can show off their skills and tricks at the Skateboard Competition Saturday, October 4.

Hosted by Tulsa Parks and The Board Shop, the competition begins at noon at the River Skate Park, 464 W. 23rd St.

Located off of 23rd street just west of the Arkansas River, the SkatePark is open throughout the spring and summer months whenever the weather is dry. Hours include 5am to 11pm daily.

The facility is free and unsupervised, and open to skateboarders, rollerbladers and bikers. Helmets, wrist guards, elbow and kneepads are required.

Skaters may enroll the day of the contest.

For as little as $10, a skater can enter in any one of the three events: Street; Mini Ramp or Best Trick. Or for $20, an individual can enter all three. Skaters are divided into three categories: Beginner; Intermediate; Advanced, and will compete for trophies, merchandise, and, of course, fun.

For event details, entry forms, liability releases and questions about the competition and River Skate Park can be directed to Sue Price at (918) 596-2527.

The skate park was designed by American Ramp Company and features the latest in ramp construction. A total of 24 different elements, including half and quarter pipes, grind rails and ledges, jump boxes, pyramids and more were included in its design. Novice and expert skaters alike will find elements to fit their skill levels.

The River SkatePark Rules

• ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!
• HELMETS ARE REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES!
• Emergency Phone (will notify Security Officer) is located at entrance gate.
• Proper use of protective gear (wrist guards, elbow & kneepads) is strongly recommended.
• Skaters under the age of 13 should be supervised by an adult.
• SkateParks are prone to flying objects and bodies. All persons within the fenced area must be alert and exercise common sense.
• Know your abilities and skate within them.
• The SkatePark surface is extremely dangerous when wet or hot.
• Spectators - please watch from outside of the fenced area. You will be much safer there.
• Alcohol, tobacco and/or drugs are PROHIBITED. Get your high from the ride!
• Please keep food & drinks off the equipment & skating area. Spills jeopardize the skaters.
• Help keep your SkatePark clean. Please use the trashcans.
• Please be considerate of the surrounding property by skating only inside the fenced area and avoiding excessive noise.
• Keep pets safe, leashed and outside of the fenced area.
• Tulsa Parks may close the SkatePark without notice for lessons, maintenance repairs or other unforeseeable circumstances.
• Be cool and follow the rules! Violation may result in loss of skating privileges.
• Please call 596-PARK to report any debris or hazardous conditions in the area.

— Nov. 4 Election

In about five weeks, Tulsa voters will decide whether to approve a five-year, $451.6 million plan to Fix Our Streets. This question will be on the Nov. 4 General Election ballot.

The Fix Our Streets initiative has developed over the past year, when Tulsans have focused on streets as a major priority. Both the Complete Our Streets citizens committee and the City Council Streets Subcommittee have thoroughly studied streets’ issues and have worked with City of Tulsa staff on plans to fix the streets.

At town hall meetings held this past summer, Tulsa residents expressed their desire to fix the streets while considering the present financial situation facing both city government and themselves personally. This $451.6 million commitment only to streets would not raise sales taxes, and would raise property taxes by 6.3 mills (or $63 for a $100,000 house) in the year of its maximum impact – 2016.

Street Package Question and Answers

How was this streets package developed?
In the fall of 2007, streets became a major focus in Tulsa through Mayor Kathy Taylor’s Complete Our Streets citizens committee and the City Council Streets Subcommittee. Both of these groups studied Tulsa’s street issues, made recommendations and worked with City of Tulsa staff to develop plans to fix the streets.

During the summer of 2008, many Tulsa residents attended town hall meetings throughout the city with city leaders about how best to fix the streets. This “Fix Our Streets” initiative for a Nov. 4 election represents one year of Tulsans taking their streets seriously and working together to solve problems.

If this package is passed by voters, what will be accomplished?
This Fix Our Streets five-year plan will provide $451.6 million of maintenance and rehabilitation for Tulsa’s streets and bridges. Some work on sidewalks, trails and railroad crossings also is included.

Why is this vote only about streets?
This vote focuses on fixing streets because many Tulsans have named street condition as their top concern. The package does not include street widening, flood control projects, water, sewer or public facilities maintenance. Funding for these other city responsibilities will continue through utility fees and future funding programs.

Will all areas of the city receive street improvements?
Yes. Project funding is distributed among the nine City Council districts according to need, or pavement condition. Each district will receive at least 8.2 percent of the total; however pavement in certain areas of the city needs more attention than in other areas. Project funding will be directed to the areas that need it most.

Will my taxes go up?
The sales tax rate in the City of Tulsa will remain the same as it is now. This will include a renewal of Tulsa’s Third Penny Sales Tax beginning in 2013, and continuation in 2012 of the same amount as the Tulsa County Four-to-Fix Sales Tax (0.167%), which will expire at that time.

Extension of the Third Penny Sales tax through 2014 will provide $131 million for streets. Continuing the same amount as the Four-to-Fix Sales Tax through 2014 will provide $35.6 million for streets.

Funding for Fix Our Streets 2008 also will include a $285 million General Obligation Bond Issue to begin in 2010. This will enact property tax increases that in the maximum year of impact – 2016, will be proportional to 6.3 mills or $63 per year for a $100,000 house.

When will these projects start?
Some projects will begin construction in the summer of 2009. The designs and coordination of other projects will begin as soon as the bonds are sold and contracts are in place.

For a complete list of street projects included in the funding initiative, and answers to some frequently asked questions, consult the City of Tulsa web site at http://www.cityoftulsa.org/CityServices/Streets/5Year.asp.

Mayor Kathy Taylor has announced a new partnership between the City of Tulsa’s Animal Welfare Shelter and the OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. Taylor made the announcement at a press conference on September 19 at the new City Hall.

“This is a historic day for Tulsa,” said Mayor Taylor. “Our partnership with OSU will enhance veterinary care for animals in the City of Tulsa Animal Shelter and provide invaluable learning opportunities for OSU Veterinary students. Not only will City of Tulsa Animal Welfare be able to deliver expert care to the animals received at the Shelter but the assistance of the OSU Vets and their students will enable us to quickly and professionally update both services and facilities.”

Under the new partnership agreement, the City of Tulsa Shelter Vet, Catherine Pienkos, will be appointed as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in OSU’s Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. As a faculty member, she will oversee the activities of the students assigned to the Tulsa Animal Welfare Shelter. OSU will seek funding for two internships. The interns will rotate between the Tulsa Animal Welfare Shelter and the OSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Annual budget required for the partnership is $235,000 and will come from private funds raised by OSU Veterinary Center. An endowment of $6.25 million is required to fund the program. While funds are being raised, veterinary students will begin working with the city of Tulsa.

Left to right—front row: Dr. Catherine Pienkos, shelter veterinarian holds the Mayor’s scrub top, Mayor Kathy Taylor, and Jean Letcher, Animal Welfare Manager; second row: Dr. Charles MacAllister, Head of OSU’s Veterinary Clinical Sciences Department and Task Force member, Dr. Michael Lorenz, Dean of OSU’s Veterinary Center and Task Force member, Bill Handy, Task Force co-chair and Councilor David Patrick, District 3. Dean Lorenz presented Mayor Taylor with an OSU scrub top to “seal the deal” as OSU and the City of Tulsa partner to improve animal welfare at the City’s animal shelter.

The Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences is one of 28 veterinary colleges in the United States and is fully accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The Center’s Veterinary Medial Teaching Hospital is open to the public and provides routine and specialized care for small and large animals. It also offers 24 hour emergency care and is certified by the American Animal Hospital Association. For more information, visit www.cvhs.okstate.edu or call (405) 744-7000.