Greetings:
I hope you had a safe and wonderful 4th-of-July holiday weekend. This is going to be a busy week in Tulsa with several exciting new ventures to be announced.
We will learn more this week about the opening celebration for the new BOK Center. Please keep the Labor Day weekend open so that you may join us in the wonderful celebration that is being planned.
Also this week, the Tulsa City Council will consider the new Tulsa Drillers Stadium planned for the historic Greenwood District. With a new arena and a new baseball stadium, downtown Tulsa will once again thrive as an entertainment spot.
I am so excited about what is happening downtown. Not only are we renovating 50 blocks of downtown streets, last week I had the chance to tour the construction work at the legendary Mayo Hotel where $40 million worth of renovation is underway. There will be 100 hotel rooms, 72 luxury loft apartments and an upscale restaurant in the 18-story building, plus, the Crystal Ballroom is being restored to its past glory.
Also coming this week, Tulsa’s largest employer, American Airlines, will break ground for a brand-new hangar. Meanwhile another firm is announcing new jobs coming to Tulsa.
This is getting exciting!
Sincerely,
Kathy Taylor
Mayor
I believe in Tulsa!
P.S. Don’t forget Neighborfest at Hunter Park, 5804 E. 91st St. It's this Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. Please come meet your City Councilor and your neighbors.
I hope to see you there.
July 7, 2008
Kudos for Mayor Taylor from
the Oklahoma City Newspaper
Tulsa’s Mayor received high praise from the editor of Oklahoma City’s Daily Oklahoman. Editor Ed Kelley said he likes “what Kathy Taylor is saying about the Tulsa Public Schools." In a video editorial on the Oklahoman’s website, Newsok.com, Kelley praised Mayor Taylor for putting the focus on the growing problem of dropouts in Tulsa.
City of Tulsa and TU
Begin Historic Partnership
July 1 marked the beginning of a historic partnership between the city of Tulsa and Tulsa University as TU took over management of the famous Tulsa museum. It was also the opening day of a new exhibition featuring a collection of memorabilia from the famous Miller Brothers 101 Ranch, located near Ponca City during the early decades of the 20th Century.
Tom Baker Retires After
40 Years of Public Service
Deputy Mayor Tom Baker, who has an exemplary 40-year career of service to the citizens of Tulsa, retired from the City of Tulsa as of Monday, June 30.
Baker began his career with the Tulsa Fire Department as a cadet and worked his way through the ranks to become Fire Chief, a post he held for 16 years. Upon retirement from the Fire Department, Baker made a successful bid for a City Council seat which he held for four years. Baker joined Mayor Kathy Taylor’s administrative team as Deputy Mayor following her inauguration in April 2006.
Come to Hunter Park for This Week's Neighborfest
Mayor Kathy Taylor and District 8 City Councilor Bill Christiansen invite Tulsans to join them at Hunter Park, 5804 E. 91st St., from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, 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 neighbors.
This year’s events will include free beverages and ice cream for everyone. There will be live entertainment, informational displays and an ongoing talent show, open to individuals and performing groups, that runs throughout the entire Neighborfest season.
Tulsa on Cover of
Preservation Magazine
Tulsa and its art deco architecture are featured in the cover story of the July/August issue of Preservation magazine, published by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The article declares Tulsa “one of the nation’s premier centers of art deco … in the classy company of Miami Beach, New York and Los Angeles.”
Recognition in Preservation magazine serves as the perfect enticement for preservation enthusiasts and architecture buffs to come to Tulsa for the 2008 National Preservation Conference Oct. 21-25. An estimated 2,500 visitors are expected to visit our city and admire buildings that residents sometimes take for granted – Boston Avenue Methodist Church, Tulsa Union Depot, the Philcade, and many others.
What About Pesticides?
Did you know that there are natural methods of pest control? Many plants produce certain chemicals that repel other species, and many insects are actually good at controlling other insects we regard as pests. One way to BeGreen is to stop using manmade pesticides.
Pesticides, chemicals used to kill or control pests that we consider undesirable, have been used since the 1950s. In fact, pesticide use has increased more than 50-fold in the years since. Most of today’s pesticides are 10 to 100 times more toxic than those used in the 1950s.
North Tulsa Summer Fun Days Scheduled through July
The YWCA of Tulsa is hosting a “Carnival City” in July with free snacks, games, entertainment, and parades. Sonic will provide free burgers, corn dogs, and hot dogs.
Kids can play fun carnival games, ride ponies, and slide down a giant 30-foot slide. Other fun activities include a Velcro wall, sumo wrestling suits, and a Surf and Slide water ride, plus clowns and a motorcycle and car club parade.
Tulsa Hosts Professional
Bull Riders, July 18-20
Professional Bull Riders are coming to the Tulsa Convention Center on July 18-20, for three action-packed days of thrilling rides and breathtaking performances, featuring the world’s best professionals. This year, the show will draw 900 competitors from around the globe - including 100 Oklahoma contestants - cheered on by 15,000 on-the-spot viewers. Tickets for the 2008 performance are already on sale through www.tickets.com. In 2009, the competition will take place in the BOK Center.
Bok Center online
Next Streets Town Hall, July 14
at Hardestry Library
The next streets Town Hall meeting will be held Monday, July 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the Hardesty Library, 8316 E. 93rd St. All Tulsans are welcome to attend this special meeting and give their comments on street improvements. The location was selected to be near residents in Council Districts 8 and 2.