Greetings,
The nation is catching up to all that Tulsa has to offer! Relocate America ranked Tulsa the 5th best city to live in, telling the nation what we all know that the quality of life in Tulsa remains among the top in the nation and we wouldn’t trade it for anything! Read ENews to see a few great examples of efforts in education and leadership.
Over the next several months, Tulsans will have an opportunity to come together as a community and discuss all the great things they love about Tulsa and the direction the city should take. During the next two years, City planners will work with a team of urban planning experts to hold a series of workshops and meetings to engage large numbers of Tulsans. The team will also conduct interviews and surveys in order to gain a clear vision for Tulsa’s future.
The real key to successful planning is YOU! I invite you to get involved in planning the future of our city that will be home to our children and our grandchildren. As we progress with this project, please check in frequently with the planitulsa.org website for updates and details about the process.
Tulsa is a great city. Let's use every opportunity with our civic, faith and trade groups to spread the word. Believe in Tulsa!
Sincerely,
Kathy Taylor
Mayor
Monday, May 19, 2008
Join Mayor Taylor and City Councilors at Neighborfest '08
Mayor Kathy Taylor and the members of Tulsa’s City Council invite all Tulsans to join them in Tulsa parks beginning next week for Neighborfest ’08 – a series of nine events where citizens can meet their elected officials, form new friendships and renew old ones with their neighbors.
There will be nine Neighborfests – one in each City Council District. The first event will be at Whiteside Park in District 9. (See "Read More" for the entire schedule.)
This year’s events will include free beverages and ice cream for everyone. There will be live entertainment, informational displays and an on-going talent show, open to individuals and performing groups, that runs throughout the entire Neighborfest season.
Tulsa Named Fifth Best
City in the U.S. to Live
Tulsa has placed fifth among America’s best places to live, according to Relocate-America.com, which ranks top 100 cities in its annual list. The site, operated by the real estate firm HomeRoute, serves as a source of community information and real-estate resources for those who are relocating.
PLANiTULSA Process
Kicked Off May 13
Last week Tulsans had their first opportunity to meet John Fregonese of Fregonese and Associates and learn more about the comprehensive planning process for the City of Tulsa. Fregonese will lead PLANiTULSA.
Fregonese toured the city with City of Tulsa planning staff and other members of a team of experts who will create the new Plan. He then presented a program at the official PLANiTULSA kick-off event, held last Tuesday evening at the Central Community Center. The event marked the beginning of a 21-month process during which Fregonese and his team will interact with Tulsans through interviews and workshops as they develop Tulsa’s new comprehensive plan.
NTEDI Leadership Program Finishes First Year
The first North Tulsa Economic Development Initiative (NTEDI) Leadership Program has finished its first year and is excited to carry on it’s tradition in Tulsa. The 15-week program was made up of 21 urban stakeholders who learned a variety of skills needed for planning, community assessment and local development.
With the help of Mayor Kathy Taylor and Dana Shadid, executive director for the Oklahoma Community Institute, the NTEDI Leadership Program was developed as part of the north Tulsa Economic Development Initiative that started in mid-2007.
Second Educare
Breaks Ground
On May 15, Tulsa broke ground on its second Educare center. Slated to open in 2009, this state-of-the-art facility will be located near Hawthorne Elementary school in District One and will serve more than 160 children in need.
Educare is a premier childhood development and education program with the mission of breaking the cycle of poverty in local communities by providing care tokids from low-income families. The program also services children with special needs and learners of English as a foreign language.
The center, which will include an onsite health clinic, is sponsored by George Kaiser Family Foundation and Tulsa Community Foundation. Operational costs will come from public programs, such as child-care subsidies from the OK Department of Human Services. Educare centers also partner with federal programs such as Early Head Start.
Seniors Complete
Beautification Projects
Mayor Taylor recognized Tulsa seniors Friday for their efforts in completing Year Two of the High School Beautification Program. The event took place at Central High School.
Central High seniors were proud to display the new version of the school seal. Class officers from 2006, 2007 and 2008 were present to talk with the Mayor about the project. The Central High School Seal Project was completed with the help of monies from WalMart, the senior class fund and Benchmark Monument Company. The new seal is currently on display at Central but will eventually be inserted into the floor of the school’s front foyer.
Try CFL Lighbulbs
and Let the Sun In
The price of everything is going up. All the more reason to learn about the little ways you can save money. You can save money – and help the environment – by trying out the latest in light bulbs – CFLs.
Ten percent of energy use in the average home is for lighting. You can make a noticeable impact on the environment and save money on your electric bill by switching your bulbs out to fluorescent (CFLs). They may be more expensive at the point of purchase, but fluorescents last six to10 times longer than incandescent bulbs and can cut light energy use by as much as 50 percent.
Signing Ceremony Held
for Armed Forces
Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor joined members of the National Guard and Reserve, May 15 to sign the statement for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense organization. It is a staff group within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs (OASD/RA), which is in itself a part of the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Support Our Own
American Idol!
The finale for American Idol is here, and the face-off is between the two David’s, David Archuleta and David Cook. Cook, 25, moved to Tulsa from Blue Springs, Mo., to join the band Midwest Kings and played at venues such as Blank Slate and Gray Snail in our downtown and Cherry Street areas.
Let’s support our fellow Tulsan, David Cook, by voting Tuesday, May 20th after the Live American Idol show on Fox.
If you can’t get enough American Idol, remember- Tulsa's BOK Center will be the final stop on September 13, 2008 for the “American Idols Live” tour featuring the top 10 singers from this season. Tulsa's own David Cook, who is competing for the 2008 American Idol crown, will perform on the tour.
Tickets for the "American Idols Live" can be purchased at www.bokcenter.com.
Go David Cook!!!