Greetings!
Summer offers many warm and lazy days to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather in Tulsa. As you know, there are great city parks and trails along the river for you and your family to enjoy.
A simple activity like riding your bicycle can make a tremendous difference in your overall health. Plus, it is a fun and easy way to get where you want to go. More and more Tulsans are even choosing to commute to work by bicycle to help save money on high fuel costs and parking fees, as well as making sure Tulsa’s air stays clean and healthy.
While you are out and about on your bike this summer, please be sure to observe these safety tips and always…
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Wear a helmet, no matter how short the trip
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Ride on the right-hand side of the road (in the same direction as traffic)
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Check for traffic before entering a street or intersection
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Wear brightly colored clothing so you are visible to motorists
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Use a reflector or reflective tape or clothing
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Obey all traffic control devices
When sharing the road with motorists, keep in mind the same laws that apply to motorists also apply to cyclists. All Tulsa motorists and cyclists should drive and ride cautiously – don’t tailgate, especially in bad weather. Give each other some space. Be considerate. Motorists, please yield to cyclists. And finally, motorists, watch out for children, whether they are riding their bicycles, or walking. Children are often unpredictable and are not always aware of traffic laws. So please slow down and be alert!
There are two great events this week of the two-wheel kind. Wednesday, July 16 is Ride to Work Day and Friday, July 18 is Bike to Work Day. Check out the articles here for more information about these upcoming two-wheel events.
Happy cycling…
Kathy Taylor
Mayor
I Believe in Tulsa!
July 15, 2008
Play Ball!
That will be the cry from Downtown Tulsa in April of 2010. The Tulsa City Council on Thursday approved a plan to finance the ballpark in Tulsa’s historic Greenwood District. It is expected to spur more economic development in the Blue Dome and Brady districts as well. The ballpark will be adjacent to the planned John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park in North Tulsa.
If all goes as planned, Mayor Taylor says, “shovels will be in the ground this fall” for ground breaking.
The ballpark is being financed with $30 million in private donations. The rest will come from a Business Improvement District for property inside the Inner Dispersal Loop. Federal government, churches and property with Homestead exemption will not have to pay the fee.
The improvement district goes into effect July 1, 2009. It will replace the current Business Improvement District, which expires next year on June 30.
A “Peaceful Easy Feeling” At BOk Center Opening
Tulsans will not have to stay at the “Hotel California” in order to see the Eagles. Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor announced last week the legendary band will be the opening act for Tulsa’s new BOk Center. The September 6 concert is part of the “Long Road Out of Eden” tour.
The Eagles band was formed in 1971 from a group of Linda Ronstadt’s session musicians, and started playing Los Angeles clubs. Since that time, they have landed on the Top 40 charts, 24 times and have released 17 albums.
New Development at
Tulsa International
Area leaders converged upon Tulsa Air and Space Museum to recognize the start of construction for Tulsa's newest aviation maintenance hangar. It will be the first to be constructed on the airport's North Development Area, which encompasses 250 acres of land that is generally reserved for companies who need airfield access.
American Airlines, Tulsa’s largest employer, will be the long-term tenant of the hangar.
Ride to Work Day
Set for July 16
Your morning commute might seem different on July 16. Instead of being surrounded by big gas-guzzling SUVs, you might see a few more vehicles of the two-wheeled sort.
Mayor Taylor has officially proclaimed July 16 as Ride to Work Day, which is part of a national event that encourages commuters to ride their motorcycles and scooters to work.
This event increases driver awareness and helps make the road safer for bikers of all kinds.
Bike to Work Day, July 18
Want to save money, get fit, and help the environment? You can do all three at once by participating in Tulsa’s Bike to Work Day, Friday, July 18.
This event, organized by the Indian Nations Council of Government (INCOG) and sponsored by the City of Tulsa, Green-Traveler, and the Mayor’s Fitness Challenge, aims to raise awareness of biking commuters.
Channel 6 will host a live remote from River’s Edge at 19th & Riverside to publicize the event and promote bicycle safety on the road.
Next Neighborfest is At
Reed Park, July 15
Mayor Kathy Taylor and District 2 City Councilor Rick Westcott invite Tulsans to join them at Reed Park, 4233 S. Yukon Ave., from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, for Neighborfest ‘08 – a series of nine events where citizens can meet their elected officials and form new friendships and renew old ones with their neigbhors.
There is a Neighborfest event in each City Council District.
North Tulsa Summer Fun Days
Have a burger, take a dip in the pool, or show off your dance moves this Saturday at Springdale Park.
Springdale Park & Recreation Center is hosting a Swim Bash and “So You Think You Can Dance?” contest July 19 with free food, games, and entertainment.
The event is totally free and open to families and children of all ages.
The Summer Fun Days are part of the North Tulsa Safe Summer initiative, a program designed to provide North Tulsa families with safe, free, and positive activities in their own communities.
What About Those
Annoying Mosquitoes?
Yes, we all wish they would go away. Arm yourself with information: this time of year these insects attack in full force.
150 species of mosquitoes are found in the United States. (There are more than 2,500 different species in the world!) All mosquitoes must have water in which to complete their life cycle. They lay their eggs in places that periodically hold water, sewage effluent ponds, irrigated pastures, rain water ponds, etc. Larvae hatch from the eggs within 24 to 48 hours and then live in water for at least seven days before becoming an adult mosquito.
Next Streets Meeting
At Rudisill Library
The next streets town hall meeting will be held Monday, July 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the Rudisill Library, 1520 N. Hartford Ave. All Tulsans are welcome to attend this meeting and give their comments on street improvements. The location was selected to be near residents in Council District 1.
Update: Mayor Kathy Taylor's
Entrepreneurial Spirit Award
Entrepreneurs are shaping the future of Tulsa and Mayor Kathy Taylor’s Tulsa Entrepreneurial Spirit Award finished its first round of small business presentations last week.
Twenty-five Tulsa-based entrepreneurs were given a chance to present a seven-minute pitch to the Spirit Award panel of judges in an “American Idol” style competition and then subjected to eight minutes of Q & A.
Billy Casper Visits
Mohawk Course
Former professional golfer Billy Casper paid a visit to Tulsa’s Mohawk Golf Course on Thursday, July 10. Casper gave a free putting exhibition to an audience that included youths from the First Tee program.
His namesake, Billy Casper Golf company manages both Mohawk and Page Belcher golf courses for the City of Tulsa.