(6637,1,'2011-03-05 15:54:11','2011-03-05 21:54:11','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6588\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01579/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6588\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizza Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01579-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizza Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nThere are Tulsans who seem to take pride in admitting they don\'t emerge from the bounds of their neighborhoods. They\'re the same people who grin when they say they avoid 51st Street, which acts as a sort of gateway from the north side of town to the south and vice versa, like the plague. They\'re the ones who say they\'d never leave downtown if it had a grocery store. The ones who claim that the 15-minute drive from Jenks to Brookside is too long, even to try a popular new restaurant.\r\n\r\nI admit that I, too, sometimes fall into this verve-stunting lifestyle. Humans, like water, will always be drawn the to path of least resistance.\r\n\r\nBut an empty belly, combined with the hooting and hollering of the citizen fooderati of the metro, has a way of shaking me out of my funk and putting me on the road in search of something unfamiliar. And yummy.\r\n\r\nThat\'s what had happened when my husband, our son and I pointed our car toward 96th Street North in Owasso. Our destination? Andolini\'s Pizzeria.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nAndolini\'s wasn\'t exactly a new name for me. I\'d interviewed them for <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/main.asp?Search=1&amp;ArticleID=51060&amp;SectionID=21&amp;SubSectionID=77&amp;S=1\">a Tulsa Business Journal Story in May of last year about their expansion to Tulsa\'s Cherry Street</a> (more on that in a minute), and I\'d heard from far and wide the Bausch brothers, the masterminds behind the pies, are sticklers about using fresh and house-made ingredients.\r\n\r\nWhen someone\'s willing to make and smoke mozzarella in house, and for pizza at a joint that\'s one of the only independently owned places to get a bite to eat in an area overrun by fast-food chain restaurants and big-box super stores, it\'s a sign.\r\n\r\nAnd you can bet that I\'m going to show up for dinner, 50-mile round trip be damned.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6590\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01590/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6590  aligncenter\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01590.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"350\" /></a></p>\r\nIt\'s easy to notice that Andolini\'s is a family-friendly restaurant. Our server greeted us with a smile and a bowl of pizza dough for our son to play in. And, as we can all see in the photo above, play in it he did.\r\n\r\nIt seems like there are some restaurants serving high-quality food that are starting to understand that being family friendly doesn\'t necessarily have to mean compromising on atmosphere. I\'ve written about a few of them in my column on Tulsa\'s family-friendly restaurants in <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/\">TulsaKids Magazine</a>, and I always love adding new places to the list.\r\n\r\nBefore you order anything else at Andolini\'s, order these:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6597\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01560/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6597  aligncenter\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01560.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"350\" /></a></p>\r\nGarlic knots. The folks at Andolini\'s give them away all the time on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/andopizza\">their highly active Facebook page</a>, but I\'d pay full price ($5.95) for them any day. Especially since one order is enough to fill up on before your pizza has a chance to make it to your table.\r\n\r\nWhat can I say? I like my garlic knots how I like my men: Light and fluffy on the inside, crisp, buttery and garlicky on the outside.\r\n\r\nHeh.\r\n\r\nOther Andolini\'s appetizers that caught my eye were Appian Way Meatballs ($6.95); the Panzanella Salad ($9.95), mixed field greens, prosciutto, balsamic dressing and shaved Pecorino Romano; and the Satriale\'s Salad ($6.95), a Romaine salad with prosciutto, Genoa salami, fresh mozz and a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.\r\n\r\nI have a little saying: These items are on my list. Which means everything I just mentioned will one day be commanded to get in my belly.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6588\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01579/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6588\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizza Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01579-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizza Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAndolini\'s serves a smattering of Italian dishes, but who are we trying to kid - you all want to hear about the pizza first, right? Right. So, here\'s the deal: Pizza at Andolini\'s comes as small as ten inches across or as large as 20 (the Oh-Wow-That\'s-Big size - their words, sadly, not mine), and toppings range from cheese and pepperoni to eggplant, Gorgonzola and portabello mushroom. Base prices for pizzas with a single topping range about $10 to $23.\r\n\r\nAndolini\'s has a list of their own pizza creations, too. One of them puts pepperoni, Canadian bacon, Genoa salami, pastrami, ground beef and Italian sausage all on one pizza. Another is sauced with pistachio pesto. And there\'s one called the Spring Street, the making of which inspired the Bausches to create a video.\r\n\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"500\" height=\"405\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/hwRWFMNsCYY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"500\" height=\"405\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/hwRWFMNsCYY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\nThere you go, New York-style pizza lovers.\r\n\r\nAnother is called the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPQR\">SPQR</a>.\r\n\r\nRemember that? From The Gladiator? When Russell Crowe was scraping these letters from the tattoo on his upper arm? Hardcore.\r\n\r\nI mention this mostly because I want you all to think that I\'m observant and sharp and whatnot. Because I\'m fragile like that.\r\n\r\nAnd there\'s the pizza we ordered: the Pizza Rustica. Here\'s how it\'s described on the menu:\r\n<blockquote>Long before pizza became what it is today, it was a staple of rural Italian villages. Families would layer the freshest ingredients of the day on flatbread and bake it for dinner. The Pizza Rustica is made in that same style, filled with ricotta, mozzarella, prosciutto, sliced sausage and spinach. It is then given a large crust folded over the top of the filling. Truly a PIZZA PIE!</blockquote>\r\nThough after I read this description I turned to my husband and said something like, \"Honey, it says, \'Truly a PIZZA PIE\'. You know how I feel about pie. We have to get it,\' I was sort of preaching to the choir at that point.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6598\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01580/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6598\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01580-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWhy, hello.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6599\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01583-2/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6599\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC015831-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nSee this? After a few garlic knots and this slice of Pizza Rustica, I was stuffed. Stuffed as in, I had to drive home with my pants unbuttoned. And unzipped. OK, I\'ll just say it: I completely removed my pants to drive home.\r\n\r\nNot really. But I wanted to. My full tummy wanted me to. My Spanx are no match for Andolini\'s Pizza Rustica.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6600\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01586/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6600\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01586-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAndolini\'s also offers calzones and strombolis (one of which is named Kona, another after Plato), sandwiches, pasta entrees (yes, including mac and cheese) and dessert, including an Italian butter cake. Which of course I didn\'t have because Pizza Rustica and my lungs were competing fiercely for space in my thoracic cavity by the time for dessert, but oh, man, it sounds pretty good. Especially the part where butter is mentioned.\r\n\r\nThe kids\' menu is nice and simple: Chicken bites and fries, a kid-sized portion of spaghetti with meatballs and a mini pizza, with nothing over $5.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6601\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01581/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6601\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01581-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe\'re pizza lovers, the Ball family. We\'re mutts with deep roots in the British Isles and the south-central American plains, but even so, we love the bread, the sauce and the cheese in the tradition of the Italians and the northeastern U.S.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6602\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01583-3/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6602\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC015832-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMore on Andolinis:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>A Cherry Street location of Andolini\'s Pizzeria will open this month. I heard they were slated to be open by now, but the twin blizzards we had back in February delayed many a construction schedule, and the folks at Andolini\'s were not immune. Soon, though, find them at 1552 E. 15th Street.</li>\r\n	<li>Earlier this week Mike Bausch scored No. 5 in the nation and No. 2 in the midwest in the non-traditional category of the 2011 International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas with his Semper Fi pizza. Big-time stuff.</li>\r\n	<li>Andolini\'s offers a mailing list. It\'s how I found out that on Tuesdays this month, the second pizza you order is $2. As in, less than the price of a good cup of coffee. Find the sign-up form on <a href=\"http://www.andopizza.com/\">their website</a>.</li>\r\n	<li>Looking for something to do with the kids? Andolini\'s offers pizza tours. Mike will teach your kids\' group about the history of pizza, and then he\'ll impart to you his award-winning dough-throwing skills. After, the kids get to help make their own pizzas. Cost is $5 per kiddo.</li>\r\n	<li>Andolini\'s serves <a href=\"http://www.marshallbrewing.com/\">Marshall IPA</a>. Why should you care? Because it\'s my favorite beer ever to drink with pizza, that\'s why. Also, because Marshall is brewed right here in Tulsa.</li>\r\n	<li>Andolini\'s delivers. And you can <a href=\"http://andopizza.hungerrush.com/\">order online</a>.</li>\r\n	<li>Also? <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfDUjhwyjPs\">FRESH</a>.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAndolini\'s is open at their Owasso location daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m - Cherry Street hours to come.\r\n\r\n<strong>Andolini\'s Pizzeria</strong>\r\nOwasso: 12140 E. 96th St.\r\nCherry Street: 1552 E. 15th Street\r\nPhone (Owasso): (918) 272-9328\r\nHours: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/58/630029/restaurant/Tulsa/Andolinis-Pizzeria-Owasso\"><img style=\"border: none; width: 130px; height: 36px;\" src=\"http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/630029/minilink.gif\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria on Urbanspoon\" /></a>','Andolini\'s Pizzeria: Garlic Knots, Pizza Rustica and the removing of pants','When someone\'s willing to make and smoke mozzarella in house, and for pizza at a joint that\'s one of the only independently owned places to get a bite to eat in an area overrun by fast-food chain restaurants and big-box super stores, you can bet that I\'m going to show up for dinner.','inherit','open','open','','6507-revision-36','','','2011-03-05 15:54:11','2011-03-05 21:54:11','',6507,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6507-revision-36/',0,'revision','',0),(6634,1,'2011-03-05 14:03:39','2011-03-05 20:03:39','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6588\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01579/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6588\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizza Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01579-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizza Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nThere are Tulsans who seem to take pride in admitting they don\'t emerge from the bounds of their neighborhoods. They\'re the same people who grin when they say they avoid 51st Street, which acts as a sort of gateway from the north side of town to the south and vice versa, like the plague. They\'re the ones who say they\'d never leave downtown if it had a grocery store. The ones who claim that the 15-minute drive from Jenks to Brookside is too long, even to try a popular new restaurant.\r\n\r\nI admit that I, too, sometimes fall into this verve-stunting lifestyle. Humans, like water, will always be drawn the to path of least resistance.\r\n\r\nBut an empty belly, combined with the hooting and hollering of the citizen fooderati of the metro, has a way of shaking me out of my funk and putting me on the road in search of something unfamiliar. And yummy.\r\n\r\nThat\'s what had happened when my husband, our son and I pointed our car toward 96th Street North in Owasso. Our destination? Andolini\'s Pizzeria.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nAndolini\'s wasn\'t exactly a new name for me. I\'d interviewed them for <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/main.asp?Search=1&amp;ArticleID=51060&amp;SectionID=21&amp;SubSectionID=77&amp;S=1\">a Tulsa Business Journal Story in May of last year about their expansion to Tulsa\'s Cherry Street</a> (more on that in a minute), and I\'d heard from far and wide the Bausch brothers, the masterminds behind the pies, are sticklers about using fresh and house-made ingredients.\r\n\r\nWhen someone\'s willing to make and smoke mozzarella in house, and for pizza at a joint that\'s one of the only independently owned places to get a bite to eat in an area overrun by fast-food chain restaurants and big-box super stores, it\'s a sign. \r\n\r\nAnd you can bet that I\'m going to show up for dinner, 50-mile round trip be damned.\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6590\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01590/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6590  aligncenter\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01590.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"350\" /></a></p>\r\nIt\'s easy to notice that Andolini\'s is a family-friendly restaurant. Our server greeted us with a smile and a bowl of pizza dough for our son to play in. And, as we can all see in the photo above, play in it he did.\r\n\r\nIt seems like there are some restaurants serving high-quality food that are starting to understand that being family friendly doesn\'t necessarily have to mean compromising on atmosphere. I\'ve written about a few of them in my column on Tulsa\'s family-friendly restaurants in <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/\">TulsaKids Magazine</a>, and I always love adding new places to the list.\r\n\r\nBefore you order anything else at Andolini\'s, order these:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6597\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01560/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6597  aligncenter\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01560.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"350\" /></a></p>\r\nGarlic knots. The folks at Andolini\'s give them away all the time on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/andopizza\">their highly active Facebook page</a>, but I\'d pay full price ($5.95) for them any day. Especially since one order is enough to fill up on before your pizza has a chance to make it to your table.\r\n\r\nWhat can I say? I like my garlic knots how I like my men: Light and fluffy on the inside, crisp, buttery and garlicky on the outside.\r\n\r\nHeh.\r\n\r\nOther Andolini\'s appetizers that caught my eye were Appian Way Meatballs ($6.95); the Panzanella Salad ($9.95), mixed field greens, prosciutto, balsamic dressing and shaved Pecorino Romano; and the Satriale\'s Salad ($6.95), a Romaine salad with prosciutto, Genoa salami, fresh mozz and a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.\r\n\r\nI have a little saying: These items are on my list. Which means everything I just mentioned will one day be commanded to get in my belly.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6588\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01579/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6588\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizza Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01579-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizza Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAndolini\'s serves a smattering of Italian dishes, but who are we trying to kid - you all want to hear about the pizza first, right? Right. So, here\'s the deal: Pizza at Andolini\'s comes as small as ten inches across or as large as 20 (the Oh-Wow-That\'s-Big size - their words, sadly, not mine), and toppings range from cheese and pepperoni to eggplant, Gorgonzola and portabello mushroom. Base prices for pizzas with a single topping range about $10 to $23.\r\n\r\nAndolini\'s has a list of their own pizza creations, too. One of them puts pepperoni, Canadian bacon, Genoa salami, pastrami, ground beef and Italian sausage all on one pizza. Another is sauced with pistachio pesto. And there\'s one called the Spring Street, the making of which inspired the Bausches to create a video.\r\n\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"500\" height=\"405\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/hwRWFMNsCYY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"500\" height=\"405\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/hwRWFMNsCYY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\nThere you go, New York-style pizza lovers.\r\n\r\nAnother is called the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPQR\">SPQR</a>.\r\n\r\nRemember that? From The Gladiator? When Russell Crowe was scraping these letters from the tattoo on his upper arm? Hardcore.\r\n\r\nI mention this mostly because I want you all to think that I\'m observant and sharp and whatnot. Because I\'m fragile like that.\r\n\r\nAnd there\'s the pizza we ordered: the Pizza Rustica. Here\'s how it\'s described on the menu:\r\n<blockquote>Long before pizza became what it is today, it was a staple of rural Italian villages. Families would layer the freshest ingredients of the day on flatbread and bake it for dinner. The Pizza Rustica is made in that same style, filled with ricotta, mozzarella, prosciutto, sliced sausage and spinach. It is then given a large crust folded over the top of the filling. Truly a PIZZA PIE!</blockquote>\r\nThough after I read this description I turned to my husband and said something like, \"Honey, it says, \'Truly a PIZZA PIE\'. You know how I feel about pie. We have to get it,\' I was sort of preaching to the choir at that point.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6598\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01580/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6598\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01580-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWhy, hello.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6599\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01583-2/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6599\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC015831-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nSee this? After a few garlic knots and this slice of Pizza Rustica, I was stuffed. Stuffed as in, I had to drive home with my pants unbuttoned. And unzipped. OK, I\'ll just say it: I completely removed my pants to drive home.\r\n\r\nNot really. But I wanted to. My full tummy wanted me to. My Spanx are no match for Andolini\'s Pizza Rustica.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6600\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01586/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6600\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01586-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAndolini\'s also offers calzones and strombolis (one of which is named Kona, another after Plato), sandwiches, pasta entrees (yes, including mac and cheese) and dessert, including an Italian butter cake. Which of course I didn\'t have because Pizza Rustica and my lungs were competing fiercely for space in my thoracic cavity by the time for dessert, but oh, man, it sounds pretty good. Especially the part where butter is mentioned.\r\n\r\nThe kids\' menu is nice and simple: Chicken bites and fries, a kid-sized portion of spaghetti with meatballs and a mini pizza, with nothing over $5.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6601\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01581/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6601\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01581-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe\'re pizza lovers, the Ball family. We\'re mutts with deep roots in the British Isles and the south-central American plains, but even so, we love the bread, the sauce and the cheese in the tradition of the Italians and the northeastern U.S.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6602\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01583-3/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6602\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC015832-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMore on Andolinis:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>A Cherry Street location of Andolini\'s Pizzeria will open this month. I heard they were slated to be open by now, but the twin blizzards we had back in February delayed many a construction schedule, and the folks at Andolini\'s were not immune. Soon, though, find them at 1552 E. 15th Street.</li>\r\n	<li>Earlier this week Mike Bausch scored No. 5 in the nation and No. 2 in the midwest in the non-traditional category of the 2011 International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas with his Semper Fi pizza. Big-time stuff.</li>\r\n	<li>Andolini\'s posts contests just about every day on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/andopizza\">their Facebook page</a>. Fans can win stuff ranging from an order of garlic knots to $50 Andolini\'s gift certificates.</li>\r\n	<li>Andolini\'s offers a mailing list. It\'s how I found out that on Tuesdays this month, the second pizza you order is $2. As in, less than the price of a good cup of coffee. Find the sign-up form on <a href=\"http://www.andopizza.com/\">their website</a>.</li>\r\n	<li>Looking for something to do with the kids? Andolini\'s offers pizza tours. Mike will teach your kids\' group about the history of pizza, and then he\'ll impart to you his award-winning dough-throwing skills. After, the kids get to help make their own pizzas. Cost is $5 per kiddo.</li>\r\n	<li>Andolini\'s serves <a href=\"http://www.marshallbrewing.com/\">Marshall IPA</a>. Why should you care? Because it\'s my favorite beer ever to drink with pizza, that\'s why. Also, because Marshall is brewed right here in Tulsa.</li>\r\n	<li>Andolini\'s delivers. And you can <a href=\"http://andopizza.hungerrush.com/\">order online</a>.</li>\r\n	<li>Also? <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfDUjhwyjPs\">FRESH</a>.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAndolini\'s is open at their Owasso location daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m - Cherry Street hours to come.\r\n\r\n<strong>Andolini\'s Pizzeria</strong>\r\nOwasso: 12140 E. 96th St.\r\nCherry Street: 1552 E. 15th Street\r\nPhone (Owasso): (918) 272-9328\r\nHours: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/58/630029/restaurant/Tulsa/Andolinis-Pizzeria-Owasso\"><img style=\"border: none; width: 130px; height: 36px;\" src=\"http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/630029/minilink.gif\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria on Urbanspoon\" /></a>','Andolini\'s Pizzeria: Garlic Knots, Pizza Rustica and the removing of pants','When someone\'s willing to make and smoke mozzarella in house, and for pizza at a joint that\'s one of the only independently owned places to get a bite to eat in an area overrun by fast-food chain restaurants and big-box super stores, you can bet that I\'m going to show up for dinner.','inherit','open','open','','6507-revision-34','','','2011-03-05 14:03:39','2011-03-05 20:03:39','',6507,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6507-revision-34/',0,'revision','',0),(6635,1,'2011-03-05 15:54:03','2011-03-05 21:54:03','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6588\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01579/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6588\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizza Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01579-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizza Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\n\nThere are Tulsans who seem to take pride in admitting they don\'t emerge from the bounds of their neighborhoods. They\'re the same people who grin when they say they avoid 51st Street, which acts as a sort of gateway from the north side of town to the south and vice versa, like the plague. They\'re the ones who say they\'d never leave downtown if it had a grocery store. The ones who claim that the 15-minute drive from Jenks to Brookside is too long, even to try a popular new restaurant.\n\nI admit that I, too, sometimes fall into this verve-stunting lifestyle. Humans, like water, will always be drawn the to path of least resistance.\n\nBut an empty belly, combined with the hooting and hollering of the citizen fooderati of the metro, has a way of shaking me out of my funk and putting me on the road in search of something unfamiliar. And yummy.\n\nThat\'s what had happened when my husband, our son and I pointed our car toward 96th Street North in Owasso. Our destination? Andolini\'s Pizzeria.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nAndolini\'s wasn\'t exactly a new name for me. I\'d interviewed them for <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/main.asp?Search=1&amp;ArticleID=51060&amp;SectionID=21&amp;SubSectionID=77&amp;S=1\">a Tulsa Business Journal Story in May of last year about their expansion to Tulsa\'s Cherry Street</a> (more on that in a minute), and I\'d heard from far and wide the Bausch brothers, the masterminds behind the pies, are sticklers about using fresh and house-made ingredients.\n\nWhen someone\'s willing to make and smoke mozzarella in house, and for pizza at a joint that\'s one of the only independently owned places to get a bite to eat in an area overrun by fast-food chain restaurants and big-box super stores, it\'s a sign.\n\nAnd you can bet that I\'m going to show up for dinner, 50-mile round trip be damned.\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6590\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01590/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6590  aligncenter\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01590.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"350\" /></a></p>\nIt\'s easy to notice that Andolini\'s is a family-friendly restaurant. Our server greeted us with a smile and a bowl of pizza dough for our son to play in. And, as we can all see in the photo above, play in it he did.\n\nIt seems like there are some restaurants serving high-quality food that are starting to understand that being family friendly doesn\'t necessarily have to mean compromising on atmosphere. I\'ve written about a few of them in my column on Tulsa\'s family-friendly restaurants in <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/\">TulsaKids Magazine</a>, and I always love adding new places to the list.\n\nBefore you order anything else at Andolini\'s, order these:\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6597\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01560/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6597  aligncenter\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01560.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"350\" /></a></p>\nGarlic knots. The folks at Andolini\'s give them away all the time on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/andopizza\">their highly active Facebook page</a>, but I\'d pay full price ($5.95) for them any day. Especially since one order is enough to fill up on before your pizza has a chance to make it to your table.\n\nWhat can I say? I like my garlic knots how I like my men: Light and fluffy on the inside, crisp, buttery and garlicky on the outside.\n\nHeh.\n\nOther Andolini\'s appetizers that caught my eye were Appian Way Meatballs ($6.95); the Panzanella Salad ($9.95), mixed field greens, prosciutto, balsamic dressing and shaved Pecorino Romano; and the Satriale\'s Salad ($6.95), a Romaine salad with prosciutto, Genoa salami, fresh mozz and a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.\n\nI have a little saying: These items are on my list. Which means everything I just mentioned will one day be commanded to get in my belly.\n\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6588\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01579/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6588\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizza Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01579-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizza Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\n\nAndolini\'s serves a smattering of Italian dishes, but who are we trying to kid - you all want to hear about the pizza first, right? Right. So, here\'s the deal: Pizza at Andolini\'s comes as small as ten inches across or as large as 20 (the Oh-Wow-That\'s-Big size - their words, sadly, not mine), and toppings range from cheese and pepperoni to eggplant, Gorgonzola and portabello mushroom. Base prices for pizzas with a single topping range about $10 to $23.\n\nAndolini\'s has a list of their own pizza creations, too. One of them puts pepperoni, Canadian bacon, Genoa salami, pastrami, ground beef and Italian sausage all on one pizza. Another is sauced with pistachio pesto. And there\'s one called the Spring Street, the making of which inspired the Bausches to create a video.\n\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"500\" height=\"405\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/hwRWFMNsCYY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"500\" height=\"405\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/hwRWFMNsCYY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\"></embed></object>\n\nThere you go, New York-style pizza lovers.\n\nAnother is called the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPQR\">SPQR</a>.\n\nRemember that? From The Gladiator? When Russell Crowe was scraping these letters from the tattoo on his upper arm? Hardcore.\n\nI mention this mostly because I want you all to think that I\'m observant and sharp and whatnot. Because I\'m fragile like that.\n\nAnd there\'s the pizza we ordered: the Pizza Rustica. Here\'s how it\'s described on the menu:\n<blockquote>Long before pizza became what it is today, it was a staple of rural Italian villages. Families would layer the freshest ingredients of the day on flatbread and bake it for dinner. The Pizza Rustica is made in that same style, filled with ricotta, mozzarella, prosciutto, sliced sausage and spinach. It is then given a large crust folded over the top of the filling. Truly a PIZZA PIE!</blockquote>\nThough after I read this description I turned to my husband and said something like, \"Honey, it says, \'Truly a PIZZA PIE\'. You know how I feel about pie. We have to get it,\' I was sort of preaching to the choir at that point.\n\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6598\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01580/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6598\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01580-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\n\nWhy, hello.\n\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6599\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01583-2/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6599\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC015831-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\n\nSee this? After a few garlic knots and this slice of Pizza Rustica, I was stuffed. Stuffed as in, I had to drive home with my pants unbuttoned. And unzipped. OK, I\'ll just say it: I completely removed my pants to drive home.\n\nNot really. But I wanted to. My full tummy wanted me to. My Spanx are no match for Andolini\'s Pizza Rustica.\n\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6600\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01586/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6600\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01586-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\n\nAndolini\'s also offers calzones and strombolis (one of which is named Kona, another after Plato), sandwiches, pasta entrees (yes, including mac and cheese) and dessert, including an Italian butter cake. Which of course I didn\'t have because Pizza Rustica and my lungs were competing fiercely for space in my thoracic cavity by the time for dessert, but oh, man, it sounds pretty good. Especially the part where butter is mentioned.\n\nThe kids\' menu is nice and simple: Chicken bites and fries, a kid-sized portion of spaghetti with meatballs and a mini pizza, with nothing over $5.\n\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6601\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01581/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6601\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01581-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\n\nWe\'re pizza lovers, the Ball family. We\'re mutts with deep roots in the British Isles and the south-central American plains, but even so, we love the bread, the sauce and the cheese in the tradition of the Italians and the northeastern U.S.\n\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6602\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01583-3/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6602\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC015832-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\n\nMore on Andolinis:\n<ul>\n	<li>A Cherry Street location of Andolini\'s Pizzeria will open this month. I heard they were slated to be open by now, but the twin blizzards we had back in February delayed many a construction schedule, and the folks at Andolini\'s were not immune. Soon, though, find them at 1552 E. 15th Street.</li>\n	<li>Earlier this week Mike Bausch scored No. 5 in the nation and No. 2 in the midwest in the non-traditional category of the 2011 International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas with his Semper Fi pizza. Big-time stuff.</li>\n	<li>Andolini\'s posts contests just about every day on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/andopizza\">their Facebook page</a>. Fans can win stuff ranging from an order of garlic knots to $50 Andolini\'s gift certificates.</li>\n	<li>Andolini\'s offers a mailing list. It\'s how I found out that on Tuesdays this month, the second pizza you order is $2. As in, less than the price of a good cup of coffee. Find the sign-up form on <a href=\"http://www.andopizza.com/\">their website</a>.</li>\n	<li>Looking for something to do with the kids? Andolini\'s offers pizza tours. Mike will teach your kids\' group about the history of pizza, and then he\'ll impart to you his award-winning dough-throwing skills. After, the kids get to help make their own pizzas. Cost is $5 per kiddo.</li>\n	<li>Andolini\'s serves <a href=\"http://www.marshallbrewing.com/\">Marshall IPA</a>. Why should you care? Because it\'s my favorite beer ever to drink with pizza, that\'s why. Also, because Marshall is brewed right here in Tulsa.</li>\n	<li>Andolini\'s delivers. And you can <a href=\"http://andopizza.hungerrush.com/\">order online</a>.</li>\n	<li>Also? <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfDUjhwyjPs\">FRESH</a>.</li>\n</ul>\nAndolini\'s is open at their Owasso location daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m - Cherry Street hours to come.\n\n<strong>Andolini\'s Pizzeria</strong>\nOwasso: 12140 E. 96th St.\nCherry Street: 1552 E. 15th Street\nPhone (Owasso): (918) 272-9328\nHours: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily\n\n<a href=\"http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/58/630029/restaurant/Tulsa/Andolinis-Pizzeria-Owasso\"><img style=\"border: none; width: 130px; height: 36px;\" src=\"http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/630029/minilink.gif\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria on Urbanspoon\" /></a>','Andolini\'s Pizzeria: Garlic Knots, Pizza Rustica and the removing of pants','When someone\'s willing to make and smoke mozzarella in house, and for pizza at a joint that\'s one of the only independently owned places to get a bite to eat in an area overrun by fast-food chain restaurants and big-box super stores, you can bet that I\'m going to show up for dinner.','inherit','open','open','','6507-autosave','','','2011-03-05 15:54:03','2011-03-05 21:54:03','',6507,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6507-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6636,1,'2011-03-05 14:03:39','2011-03-05 20:03:39','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6588\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01579/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6588\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizza Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01579-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizza Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nThere are Tulsans who seem to take pride in admitting they don\'t emerge from the bounds of their neighborhoods. They\'re the same people who grin when they say they avoid 51st Street, which acts as a sort of gateway from the north side of town to the south and vice versa, like the plague. They\'re the ones who say they\'d never leave downtown if it had a grocery store. The ones who claim that the 15-minute drive from Jenks to Brookside is too long, even to try a popular new restaurant.\r\n\r\nI admit that I, too, sometimes fall into this verve-stunting lifestyle. Humans, like water, will always be drawn the to path of least resistance.\r\n\r\nBut an empty belly, combined with the hooting and hollering of the citizen fooderati of the metro, has a way of shaking me out of my funk and putting me on the road in search of something unfamiliar. And yummy.\r\n\r\nThat\'s what had happened when my husband, our son and I pointed our car toward 96th Street North in Owasso. Our destination? Andolini\'s Pizzeria.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nAndolini\'s wasn\'t exactly a new name for me. I\'d interviewed them for <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/main.asp?Search=1&amp;ArticleID=51060&amp;SectionID=21&amp;SubSectionID=77&amp;S=1\">a Tulsa Business Journal Story in May of last year about their expansion to Tulsa\'s Cherry Street</a> (more on that in a minute), and I\'d heard from far and wide the Bausch brothers, the masterminds behind the pies, are sticklers about using fresh and house-made ingredients.\r\n\r\nWhen someone\'s willing to make and smoke mozzarella in house, and for pizza at a joint that\'s one of the only independently owned places to get a bite to eat in an area overrun by fast-food chain restaurants and big-box super stores, it\'s a sign. \r\n\r\nAnd you can bet that I\'m going to show up for dinner, 50-mile round trip be damned.\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6590\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01590/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6590  aligncenter\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01590.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"350\" /></a></p>\r\nIt\'s easy to notice that Andolini\'s is a family-friendly restaurant. Our server greeted us with a smile and a bowl of pizza dough for our son to play in. And, as we can all see in the photo above, play in it he did.\r\n\r\nIt seems like there are some restaurants serving high-quality food that are starting to understand that being family friendly doesn\'t necessarily have to mean compromising on atmosphere. I\'ve written about a few of them in my column on Tulsa\'s family-friendly restaurants in <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/\">TulsaKids Magazine</a>, and I always love adding new places to the list.\r\n\r\nBefore you order anything else at Andolini\'s, order these:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6597\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01560/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6597  aligncenter\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01560.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"350\" /></a></p>\r\nGarlic knots. The folks at Andolini\'s give them away all the time on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/andopizza\">their highly active Facebook page</a>, but I\'d pay full price ($5.95) for them any day. Especially since one order is enough to fill up on before your pizza has a chance to make it to your table.\r\n\r\nWhat can I say? I like my garlic knots how I like my men: Light and fluffy on the inside, crisp, buttery and garlicky on the outside.\r\n\r\nHeh.\r\n\r\nOther Andolini\'s appetizers that caught my eye were Appian Way Meatballs ($6.95); the Panzanella Salad ($9.95), mixed field greens, prosciutto, balsamic dressing and shaved Pecorino Romano; and the Satriale\'s Salad ($6.95), a Romaine salad with prosciutto, Genoa salami, fresh mozz and a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.\r\n\r\nI have a little saying: These items are on my list. Which means everything I just mentioned will one day be commanded to get in my belly.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6588\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01579/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6588\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizza Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01579-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizza Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAndolini\'s serves a smattering of Italian dishes, but who are we trying to kid - you all want to hear about the pizza first, right? Right. So, here\'s the deal: Pizza at Andolini\'s comes as small as ten inches across or as large as 20 (the Oh-Wow-That\'s-Big size - their words, sadly, not mine), and toppings range from cheese and pepperoni to eggplant, Gorgonzola and portabello mushroom. Base prices for pizzas with a single topping range about $10 to $23.\r\n\r\nAndolini\'s has a list of their own pizza creations, too. One of them puts pepperoni, Canadian bacon, Genoa salami, pastrami, ground beef and Italian sausage all on one pizza. Another is sauced with pistachio pesto. And there\'s one called the Spring Street, the making of which inspired the Bausches to create a video.\r\n\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"500\" height=\"405\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/hwRWFMNsCYY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"500\" height=\"405\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/hwRWFMNsCYY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\nThere you go, New York-style pizza lovers.\r\n\r\nAnother is called the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPQR\">SPQR</a>.\r\n\r\nRemember that? From The Gladiator? When Russell Crowe was scraping these letters from the tattoo on his upper arm? Hardcore.\r\n\r\nI mention this mostly because I want you all to think that I\'m observant and sharp and whatnot. Because I\'m fragile like that.\r\n\r\nAnd there\'s the pizza we ordered: the Pizza Rustica. Here\'s how it\'s described on the menu:\r\n<blockquote>Long before pizza became what it is today, it was a staple of rural Italian villages. Families would layer the freshest ingredients of the day on flatbread and bake it for dinner. The Pizza Rustica is made in that same style, filled with ricotta, mozzarella, prosciutto, sliced sausage and spinach. It is then given a large crust folded over the top of the filling. Truly a PIZZA PIE!</blockquote>\r\nThough after I read this description I turned to my husband and said something like, \"Honey, it says, \'Truly a PIZZA PIE\'. You know how I feel about pie. We have to get it,\' I was sort of preaching to the choir at that point.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6598\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01580/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6598\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01580-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWhy, hello.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6599\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01583-2/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6599\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC015831-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nSee this? After a few garlic knots and this slice of Pizza Rustica, I was stuffed. Stuffed as in, I had to drive home with my pants unbuttoned. And unzipped. OK, I\'ll just say it: I completely removed my pants to drive home.\r\n\r\nNot really. But I wanted to. My full tummy wanted me to. My Spanx are no match for Andolini\'s Pizza Rustica.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6600\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01586/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6600\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01586-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAndolini\'s also offers calzones and strombolis (one of which is named Kona, another after Plato), sandwiches, pasta entrees (yes, including mac and cheese) and dessert, including an Italian butter cake. Which of course I didn\'t have because Pizza Rustica and my lungs were competing fiercely for space in my thoracic cavity by the time for dessert, but oh, man, it sounds pretty good. Especially the part where butter is mentioned.\r\n\r\nThe kids\' menu is nice and simple: Chicken bites and fries, a kid-sized portion of spaghetti with meatballs and a mini pizza, with nothing over $5.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6601\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01581/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6601\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC01581-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe\'re pizza lovers, the Ball family. We\'re mutts with deep roots in the British Isles and the south-central American plains, but even so, we love the bread, the sauce and the cheese in the tradition of the Italians and the northeastern U.S.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6602\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/andolinis-pizzeria-owasso-to-cherry-street/dsc01583-3/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6602\" title=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC015832-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria Owasso Cherry Street\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMore on Andolinis:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>A Cherry Street location of Andolini\'s Pizzeria will open this month. I heard they were slated to be open by now, but the twin blizzards we had back in February delayed many a construction schedule, and the folks at Andolini\'s were not immune. Soon, though, find them at 1552 E. 15th Street.</li>\r\n	<li>Earlier this week Mike Bausch scored No. 5 in the nation and No. 2 in the midwest in the non-traditional category of the 2011 International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas with his Semper Fi pizza. Big-time stuff.</li>\r\n	<li>Andolini\'s posts contests just about every day on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/andopizza\">their Facebook page</a>. Fans can win stuff ranging from an order of garlic knots to $50 Andolini\'s gift certificates.</li>\r\n	<li>Andolini\'s offers a mailing list. It\'s how I found out that on Tuesdays this month, the second pizza you order is $2. As in, less than the price of a good cup of coffee. Find the sign-up form on <a href=\"http://www.andopizza.com/\">their website</a>.</li>\r\n	<li>Looking for something to do with the kids? Andolini\'s offers pizza tours. Mike will teach your kids\' group about the history of pizza, and then he\'ll impart to you his award-winning dough-throwing skills. After, the kids get to help make their own pizzas. Cost is $5 per kiddo.</li>\r\n	<li>Andolini\'s serves <a href=\"http://www.marshallbrewing.com/\">Marshall IPA</a>. Why should you care? Because it\'s my favorite beer ever to drink with pizza, that\'s why. Also, because Marshall is brewed right here in Tulsa.</li>\r\n	<li>Andolini\'s delivers. And you can <a href=\"http://andopizza.hungerrush.com/\">order online</a>.</li>\r\n	<li>Also? <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfDUjhwyjPs\">FRESH</a>.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAndolini\'s is open at their Owasso location daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m - Cherry Street hours to come.\r\n\r\n<strong>Andolini\'s Pizzeria</strong>\r\nOwasso: 12140 E. 96th St.\r\nCherry Street: 1552 E. 15th Street\r\nPhone (Owasso): (918) 272-9328\r\nHours: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/58/630029/restaurant/Tulsa/Andolinis-Pizzeria-Owasso\"><img style=\"border: none; width: 130px; height: 36px;\" src=\"http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/630029/minilink.gif\" alt=\"Andolini\'s Pizzeria on Urbanspoon\" /></a>','Andolini\'s Pizzeria: Garlic Knots, Pizza Rustica and the removing of pants','When someone\'s willing to make and smoke mozzarella in house, and for pizza at a joint that\'s one of the only independently owned places to get a bite to eat in an area overrun by fast-food chain restaurants and big-box super stores, you can bet that I\'m going to show up for dinner.','inherit','open','open','','6507-revision-35','','','2011-03-05 14:03:39','2011-03-05 20:03:39','',6507,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6507-revision-35/',0,'revision','',0),(6638,1,'2011-03-06 13:52:35','2011-03-06 19:52:35','<a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Rjsk7n8kQPI/AAAAAAAAAB4/VrLsXnPx3OI/s1600-h/b%26wtashie.jpg\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060679213034782962\" style=\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Rjsk7n8kQPI/AAAAAAAAAB4/VrLsXnPx3OI/s200/b%26wtashie.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Blogger: Natasha\n</span><span style=\"font-size: 85%;\">(Photo credit: <a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/173654008\">Sarah Nicodemus</a>)</span><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">\n</span>\n<p class=\"blogcontent\">Wanna know what really puts me on edge? People who complain there is nothing to do in Tulsa. Rather than acquainting themselves with goings-on about town, these folks choose to whine instead, \"Ugh, there is nothing fun to do here.\"</p>\n<p class=\"blogcontent\">I used to hear this more often than I do now, thank goodness. But, I still hear it often enough to cause me to want to write a post for my fellow Tulsans on ways to get to know your town.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">What follows are several steps you can take to learn about the town I love: Tulsa, OK. Some are small, some not-so-small. Pick something to do, and start today. No more complaining, folks. I\'ve got the solution to your “boredom” right here:</p>\n\n<ol type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Swear off highways. </strong></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">After I started work as a newspaper reporter, I realized how much I didn\'t know about my native city. I expressed as much to my main mentor at work, Raymond. His sage advice? \"Just drive around.\"</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Ray was right.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Avoiding highways is the best way to see more of your city. Just think about it: when you\'re traveling on the highway, you can’t see much of what you’re passing, since you\'re traveling at such a high rate of speed. Second, you’re probably not all that interested in what’s passing you by if you’ve chosen the highway in the first place. You’re in a hurry. And, that’s the intended purpose of highways: the rapid transport of automobiles.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">But folks, a lot has been going on in Tulsa as of late. Our town is growing, and with growth comes change. Check out what’s coming to a neighborhood near you simply by driving around – you\'ll immediately feel like a part of the community. Feeling like you’re a part is where the fun begins.</p>\n\n<ol type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Pick some form of      community service. Next, get moving. </strong></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\"><a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/wekiwa\">My father</a> impressed upon me that serving the community as a volunteer is very important if I want to continue to enjoy or grow my city. Volunteer work also connects you to vast networks of people. If you tried volunteer work for just two months in Tulsa, your first comment when you report back to me would be, “Tulsa is such a small town – everyone knows everyone!”</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">It’s true. And, you don\'t have to volunteer for a million different organizations. You don\'t have to sign onto a board where you\'re expected to contribute a quarter of your salary, either. But, you should:</p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li>\n<ul>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.bigbrothers-tulsa.org/\">Find some kids who could use a mentor</a>;</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.okplanttrees.org/\">Plant a tree or two</a>;</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.tulsaspca.org/\">Help lost animals find homes</a>;</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.habitat-tulsa.org/\">Help build/refurbish homes</a>;</li>\n	<li>or, <a href=\"http://www.tulsalibrary.org/literacy/\">teach an adult to read</a>.</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">It doesn’t matter. Pick something, and go. You\'ll be amazed at the people you\'ll meet and the places you\'ll see. It will be like meeting the city you always knew.</p>\n\n<ol type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Read your town\'s free      publications; subscribe to (and yes, read) the newspaper; put your town\'s      blogs on RSS feed.</strong></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">\"I don\'t really read.\"</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Huh?</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Since you\'re reading this, I know you\'re not one of those people. You fine folks should tell your “friends” to pick up some lit every once in a while – it would make them easier to be around.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Argh. Anyway. Tulsa boasts several free and paid publications:</p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li>\n<ul>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/\">Urban Tulsa Weekly</a> (free; by far the most definitive source on cool stuff to do in Tulsa)</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/\">Tulsa World</a> (paid; new, more user-friendly website)</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.okmag.com/\">Oklahoma Magazine</a> (free; not exactly local, but does feature Tulsa regularly)</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.langdonpublishing.com/\">Tulsa People</a> (free; newly re-designed)</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a> (paid; read Insiders, look up online calendar)</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.xposurebusiness.com/\">Xposure Magazine</a> (I think this is free)</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">And much more. These are the ones I lug to the coffee shops, and most of them are what I would call tolerable reading.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">If an actual paper isn\'t your thing, check <a href=\"http://groups.blogdigger.com/groups.jsp?id=2279\" target=\"_self\">this</a> out. There you\'ll find the feed of 11 blogs, each written and regularly updated by Tulsans. Local blogs are great because they are free to cover local news without the advertising-dollar hang ups.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Point being, reading is the best way to gain information about your town without having to actually cover and report what happens. If you\'re not willing to read one of these hip, graphically-oriented and user-friendly newspapers or blogs, Chester hereby disallows you to complain about how bored you are in Tulsa.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Chester means business. Don’t make me call Party Brenda.</p>\n\n<ol type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Y.P.’s of Tulsa, join a      relevant professional organization. Then, go to the meetings.</strong></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">There are two Tulsa young professionals organizations, <a href=\"http://www.typros.org/\">TYPros</a> and <a href=\"http://www.yptulsa.org/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">ypTULSA</span></a>. Each now holds meetings. As such – and as the kids at ypTULSA would say – “just show up.”</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Our local young professionals are all fired-up. They’re well-connected, and they know the newest cool things to do in Tulsa. Know why? Because they\'re the ones at the helm of those cool, happening things.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">If there is a professional organization in town specifically for those of your profession, pay the dues and join. Not only will your membership benefit your career, but the fun you have in this city is directly related to the size of your network of people who know the places to see and be seen. You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again: size matters.</p>\n\n<ol type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Send yourself on a hunt      for the best _______ in Tulsa. </strong></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">For about four months, I’ve been hunting for Tulsa\'s ultimate chile relleno.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">So far I have tried the chile relleno dishes at:</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Pepper’s Grill,\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsa.tv/Senor-Tequila-propage-1231.htm\"> Senor Tequila</a>\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsa.tv/La-Hacienda-propage-239.htm\"> La Hacienda</a>\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsa.tv/On-the-Border-Mexican-Grill-And-Cantina-propage-1001.htm\"> On the Border Mexican Grill &amp; Cantina</a>\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsa.tv/El-Chico-Cafe-propage-385.htm\">El Chico Cafe</a>\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsanow.org/forum/topic.asp?whichpage=2&amp;TOPIC_ID=3576%EC%83%98\"> Ted’s Escondido</a>\nEl Maguey</p>\nConsidering the number of Mexican restaurants there probably are in Tulsa, I’d say my search has just begun.\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">So, what are you passionate about? <a href=\"http://www.gardnersbooks.com/\">Old books</a>, <a href=\"http://www.leesrecords.com/\">vintage records</a>, <a href=\"http://www.decotodisco.com/\">clothes</a> - <a href=\"http://search.cityguide.aol.com/tulsa/restaurants/clauds-hamburgers/v-106070858\">cheeseburgers</a>? Start looking for Tulsa\'s best whatever-that-is! Not only will your search make great date fodder, but it will also add to your life a distinct sense of place.</p>\n\n<ol type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Don\'t watch the evening      news.</strong></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Not that I have anything against the news stations here in town. Seriously. I simply suggest you not use evening news reports as sources when you make your plans for Friday night.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Thanks to some extensive research (I asked around, and I compared the social behaviors of evening news watchers to those of non-evening news watchers), I\'m pretty sure the local evening news is tailored to shock and/or scare you out of doing anything in your town, ever. It’s not that they get their thrills from scaring you. If the local evening news couldn’t tell you anything shocking or scary about your city, how would you convince advertisers to buy into those broadcasts instead of The Simpson’s and Seinfeld re-runs?</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Contrary to what the evening news has to tell you to get you to watch their stations enough to attract advertisers, downtown is not a heathen hide-away. Innocent people are not getting shot all over the place, and cops aren’t hiding out in the construction zones and neighborhoods to pull you over on camera.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Tulsa is a peaceful place. There are lots of fun things to do in safe places. Consult the Urban Tulsa. Live a little.</p>\n\n<ol type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Try something you\'ve never      done before. Keep it local. </strong></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\"><a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/aaron8620\">My husband</a> and I woke up one Saturday earlier this year and decided to take <a href=\"http://www.tulsatransit.org/\">Tulsa Transit</a> to the downtown library.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">What a pleasant experience! Neither of us had utilized public transportation in Tulsa before. We were nervous about our trip, but our bus drivers helped us to find our departure and arrival times, and we made it back home alive and all in one piece. Even our fellow passengers were pleasant. As it turned out, all the social stigma MTTA suffers is for nothing. If Tulsans who insist on driving solo to downtown for work everyday would try the bus just once, I bet hundreds of them would opt for the bus every now and then. Perhaps then MTTA could flesh out its bus schedule, which would provide transit users an increased frequency on each route. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Tulsans didn’t have to have to wait 30 minutes for the next bus?<span> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">My husband doesn’t cultivate a beaten path. Trying new stuff is his thing. This approach keeps him very in-the-know and connected to goings-on in Tulsa. He tries new, interesting restaurants; he shops at obscure grocery stores; and, he always has a local adventure in the works. My husband tells me stuff I don\'t know about Tulsa all the time.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Take it from me: people like people who teach and tell them things they don\'t know. People don\'t generally like people who are complacent and boring.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Don\'t be that guy.</p>\n\n<ol type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Talk to people in line at      the grocery store. </strong></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">As <a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/78071051\">my stepmother</a> can attest, my dad reads Cosmopolitan magazine to people in line at the grocery store. This approach works really well for him – sometimes I could swear my dad knows everyone. I can’t go anywhere with him without bumping into someone he knows.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Dad is the other person who tells me stuff I don\'t know about Tulsa all the time. He\'s also the only other person besides the people I work with at the newspaper who can connect me to just about anybody in town. If he doesn\'t know someone, he knows someone who knows them. I\'m pretty sure this is thanks to a) his extensive volunteer work, and b) talking freely to people in line at the grocery store.</p>\n\n<ol type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Go to church. </strong></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Good churches boast community initiatives. Get involved. You\'ll get to know local people and places in ways you wouldn\'t otherwise have had the opportunity.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">I can only guess that it would be tough to be active in church and not meet someone knowledgeable about the community. Even if just that one person could get you plugged into cool stuff to do and cool people to do cool stuff with in Tulsa, imagine the increase in your quality of life.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\"><a href=\"http://myspace.com/redforkcog\">My church</a> plans to cancel church this Sunday. Instead, we\'re doing church. Our congregation will be immersed in community outreach ranging from car washes to knitting circles to donut giveaways from 10:30 a.m. to noon rather than sitting in a stuffy sanctuary singing songs to the ceiling.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">See what I mean? More than any other public organization, churches are the movers and shakers of the community. They bring different types of people and their resources together and deploy them into the community for its betterment - and for the glory of God.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">So, don\'t let sermons and hymns be all you get out of going to church. Use it also as a tool to establish presence in your community. Helping others in your community and getting to know what there is to do in your city feeds back into the God stuff. I promise.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Post a comment to keep me apprised of your new life of vigor and local adventures. I’ll buy <a href=\"http://www.roadfood.com/photos/7953.jpg\">lunch</a> for whoever sends me the best “coming out in Tulsa” story.</p>','You, Too, Can Do Tulsa','','inherit','open','open','','5-autosave','','','2011-03-06 13:52:35','2011-03-06 19:52:35','',5,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/5-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6639,1,'2007-04-27 06:00:00','2007-04-27 06:00:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Rjsk7n8kQPI/AAAAAAAAAB4/VrLsXnPx3OI/s1600-h/b%26wtashie.jpg\"><img style=\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Rjsk7n8kQPI/AAAAAAAAAB4/VrLsXnPx3OI/s200/b%26wtashie.jpg\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060679213034782962\" border=\"0\" /></a><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Blogger: Natasha<br /></span><span style=\"font-size:85%;\">(Photo credit: <a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/173654008\">Sarah Nicodemus</a>)</span><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><br /></span>  <p class=\"blogcontent\">Wanna know what really puts me on edge? People who complain there is nothing to do in <st1:city st=\"on\"><st1:place st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:place></st1:city>. Rather than acquainting themselves with goings-on about town, these folks choose to whine instead, \"Ugh, there is nothing fun to do here.\" </p>  <p class=\"blogcontent\">I used to hear this more often than I do now, thank goodness. But, I still hear it often enough to cause me to want to write a post for my fellow Tulsans on ways to get to know your town. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">What follows are several steps you can take to learn about the town I love: <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:city st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:city>, <st1:state st=\"on\">OK</st1:state></st1:place>. Some are small, some not-so-small. Pick something to do, and start today. No more complaining, folks. I\'ve got the solution to your “boredom” right here:</p><br /><p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><br /></p><p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><br /></p>  <ol start=\"1\" type=\"1\"><li class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><b>Swear off highways. <o:p></o:p></b></li></ol>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">After I started work as a newspaper reporter, I realized how much I didn\'t know about my native city. I expressed as much to my main mentor at work, Raymond. His sage advice? \"Just drive around.\" </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Ray was right. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Avoiding highways is the best way to see more of your city. Just think about it: when you\'re traveling on the highway, you can’t see much of what you’re passing, since you\'re traveling at such a high rate of speed. Second, you’re probably not all that interested in what’s passing you by if you’ve chosen the highway in the first place. You’re in a hurry. And, that’s the intended purpose of highways: the rapid transport of automobiles. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">But folks, a lot has been going on in <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:city st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:city></st1:place> as of late. Our town is growing, and with growth comes change. Check out what’s coming to a neighborhood near you simply by driving around – you\'ll immediately feel like a part of the community. Feeling like you’re a part is where the fun begins. </p>  <ol start=\"2\" type=\"1\"><li class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><b>Pick some form of      community service. Next, get moving. <o:p></o:p></b></li></ol>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\"><a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/wekiwa\">My father</a> impressed upon me that serving the community as a volunteer is very important if I want to continue to enjoy or grow my city. Volunteer work also connects you to vast networks of people. If you tried volunteer work for just two months in <st1:city st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:city>, your first comment when you report back to me would be, “<st1:city st=\"on\"><st1:place st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:place></st1:city> is such a small town – everyone knows everyone!” </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">It’s true. And, you don\'t have to volunteer for a million different organizations. You don\'t have to sign onto a board where you\'re expected to contribute a quarter of your salary, either. But, you should:</p>    <ul><ul><li><a href=\"http://www.bigbrothers-tulsa.org/\">Find some kids who could use a mentor</a>;</li><li><a href=\"http://www.okplanttrees.org/\">Plant a tree or two</a>;</li><li><a href=\"http://www.tulsaspca.org/\">Help lost animals find homes</a>;</li><li><a href=\"http://www.habitat-tulsa.org/\">Help build/refurbish homes</a>;</li><li>or, <a href=\"http://www.tulsalibrary.org/literacy/\">teach an adult to read</a>. </li></ul></ul>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">It doesn’t matter. Pick something, and go. You\'ll be amazed at the people you\'ll meet and the places you\'ll see. It will be like meeting the city you always knew. </p>  <ol start=\"3\" type=\"1\"><li class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><b>Read your town\'s free      publications; subscribe to (and yes, read) the newspaper; put your town\'s      blogs on RSS feed.<o:p></o:p></b></li></ol>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">\"I don\'t really read.\" </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Huh?</p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Since you\'re reading this, I know you\'re not one of those people. You fine folks should tell your “friends” to pick up some lit every once in a while – it would make them easier to be around. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Argh. Anyway. <st1:city st=\"on\"><st1:place st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:place></st1:city> boasts several free and paid publications: </p>  <ul><ul><li><a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/\">Urban Tulsa Weekly</a> (free; by far the most definitive source on cool stuff to do in Tulsa)</li><li><a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/\">Tulsa World</a> (paid; new, more user-friendly website)</li><li><a href=\"http://www.okmag.com/\">Oklahoma Magazine</a> (free; not exactly local, but does feature <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:city st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:city></st1:place> regularly)</li><li><a href=\"http://www.langdonpublishing.com/\">Tulsa People</a> (free; newly re-designed)</li><li><a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a> (paid; read Insiders, look up online calendar)</li><li><a href=\"http://www.xposurebusiness.com/\">Xposure Magazine</a> (I think this is free)</li></ul></ul>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">And much more. These are the ones I lug to the coffee shops, and most of them are what I would call tolerable reading. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">If an actual paper isn\'t your thing, check <a href=\"http://groups.blogdigger.com/groups.jsp?id=2279\" target=\"_self\">this</a> out. There you\'ll find the feed of 11 blogs, each written and regularly updated by Tulsans. Local blogs are great because they are free to cover local news without the advertising-dollar hang ups. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Point being, reading is the best way to gain information about your town without having to actually cover and report what happens. If you\'re not willing to read one of these hip, graphically-oriented and user-friendly newspapers or blogs, <st1:city st=\"on\">Chester</st1:city> hereby disallows you to complain about how bored you are in <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:city st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:city></st1:place>. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\"><st1:city st=\"on\"><st1:place st=\"on\">Chester</st1:place></st1:city> means business. Don’t make me call Party Brenda.</p>  <ol start=\"4\" type=\"1\"><li class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><b>Y.P.’s of <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:city st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:city></st1:place>, join a      relevant professional organization. Then, go to the meetings.<o:p></o:p></b></li></ol>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">There are two <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:city st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:city></st1:place> young professionals organizations, <a href=\"http://www.typros.org/\">TYPros</a> and <a href=\"http://www.yptulsa.org/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">ypTULSA</span></a>. Each now holds meetings. As such – and as the kids at ypTULSA would say – “just show up.” </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Our local young professionals are all fired-up. They’re well-connected, and they know the newest cool things to do in <st1:city st=\"on\"><st1:place st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:place></st1:city>. Know why? Because they\'re the ones at the helm of those cool, happening things. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">If there is a professional organization in town specifically for those of your profession, pay the dues and join. Not only will your membership benefit your career, but the fun you have in this city is directly related to the size of your network of people who know the places to see and be seen. You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again: size matters. </p>  <ol start=\"5\" type=\"1\"><li class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><b>Send yourself on a hunt      for the best _______ in Tulsa. <o:p></o:p></b></li></ol>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">For about four months, I’ve been hunting for <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:city st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:city></st1:place>\'s ultimate chile relleno. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">So far I have tried the chile relleno dishes at: </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Pepper’s Grill,<br /><a href=\"http://www.tulsa.tv/Senor-Tequila-propage-1231.htm\"> Senor Tequila</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.tulsa.tv/La-Hacienda-propage-239.htm\"> La Hacienda</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.tulsa.tv/On-the-Border-Mexican-Grill-And-Cantina-propage-1001.htm\"> On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.tulsa.tv/El-Chico-Cafe-propage-385.htm\">El Chico Cafe</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.tulsanow.org/forum/topic.asp?whichpage=2&amp;TOPIC_ID=3576%EC%83%98\"> Ted’s Escondido</a><br />El Maguey<br /><br />Considering the number of Mexican restaurants there probably are in Tulsa, I’d say my search has just begun. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">So, what are you passionate about? <a href=\"http://www.gardnersbooks.com/\">Old books</a>, <a href=\"http://www.leesrecords.com/\">vintage records</a>, <a href=\"http://www.decotodisco.com/\">clothes</a> - <a href=\"http://search.cityguide.aol.com/tulsa/restaurants/clauds-hamburgers/v-106070858\">cheeseburgers</a>? Start looking for <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:city st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:city></st1:place>\'s best whatever-that-is! Not only will your search make great date fodder, but it will also add to your life a distinct sense of place. </p>  <ol start=\"6\" type=\"1\"><li class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><b>Don\'t watch the evening      news.<o:p></o:p></b></li></ol>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Not that I have anything against the news stations here in town. Seriously. I simply suggest you not use evening news reports as sources when you make your plans for Friday night. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Thanks to some extensive research (I asked around, and I compared the social behaviors of evening news watchers to those of non-evening news watchers), I\'m pretty sure the local evening news is tailored to shock and/or scare you out of doing anything in your town, ever. It’s not that they get their thrills from scaring you. If the local evening news couldn’t tell you anything shocking or scary about your city, how would you convince advertisers to buy into those broadcasts instead of The Simpson’s and Seinfeld re-runs? </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Contrary to what the evening news has to tell you to get you to watch their stations enough to attract advertisers, downtown is not a heathen hide-away. Innocent people are not getting shot all over the place, and cops aren’t hiding out in the construction zones and neighborhoods to pull you over on camera. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\"><st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:city st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:city></st1:place> is a peaceful place. There are lots of fun things to do in safe places. Consult the Urban <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:city st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:city></st1:place>. Live a little. </p>  <ol start=\"7\" type=\"1\"><li class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><b>Try something you\'ve never      done before. Keep it local. <o:p></o:p></b></li></ol>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\"><a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/aaron8620\">My husband</a> and I woke up one Saturday earlier this year and decided to take <a href=\"http://www.tulsatransit.org/\">Tulsa Transit</a> to the downtown library.<br /></p><p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">What a pleasant experience! Neither of us had utilized public transportation in <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:city st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:city></st1:place> before. We were nervous about our trip, but our bus drivers helped us to find our departure and arrival times, and we made it back home alive and all in one piece. Even our fellow passengers were pleasant. As it turned out, all the social stigma MTTA suffers is for nothing. If Tulsans who insist on driving solo to downtown for work everyday would try the bus just once, I bet hundreds of them would opt for the bus every now and then. Perhaps then MTTA could flesh out its bus schedule, which would provide transit users an increased frequency on each route. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Tulsans didn’t have to have to wait 30 minutes for the next bus?<span style=\"\">   </span></p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">My husband doesn’t cultivate a beaten path. Trying new stuff is his thing. This approach keeps him very in-the-know and connected to goings-on in <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:city st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:city></st1:place>. He tries new, interesting restaurants; he shops at obscure grocery stores; and, he always has a local adventure in the works. My husband tells me stuff I don\'t know about <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:city st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:city></st1:place> all the time. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Take it from me: people like people who teach and tell them things they don\'t know. People don\'t generally like people who are complacent and boring. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Don\'t be that guy. </p>  <ol start=\"8\" type=\"1\"><li class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><b>Talk to people in line at      the grocery store. <o:p></o:p></b></li></ol>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">As <a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/78071051\">my stepmother</a> can attest, my dad reads Cosmopolitan magazine to people in line at the grocery store. This approach works really well for him – sometimes I could swear my dad knows everyone. I can’t go anywhere with him without bumping into someone he knows. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Dad is the other person who tells me stuff I don\'t know about <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:city st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:city></st1:place> all the time. He\'s also the only other person besides the people I work with at the newspaper who can connect me to just about anybody in town. If he doesn\'t know someone, he knows someone who knows them. I\'m pretty sure this is thanks to a) his extensive volunteer work, and b) talking freely to people in line at the grocery store. </p>  <ol start=\"9\" type=\"1\"><li class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><b>Go to church. <o:p></o:p></b></li></ol>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">Good churches boast community initiatives. Get involved. You\'ll get to know local people and places in ways you wouldn\'t otherwise have had the opportunity. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">I can only guess that it would be tough to be active in church and not meet someone knowledgeable about the community. Even if just that one person could get you plugged into cool stuff to do and cool people to do cool stuff with in <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:city st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:city></st1:place>, imagine the increase in your quality of life. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\"><a href=\"http://myspace.com/redforkcog\">My church</a> plans to cancel church this Sunday. Instead, we\'re doing church. Our congregation will be immersed in community outreach ranging from car washes to knitting circles to donut giveaways from 10:30 a.m. to noon rather than sitting in a stuffy sanctuary singing songs to the ceiling. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">See what I mean? More than any other public organization, churches are the movers and shakers of the community. They bring different types of people and their resources together and deploy them into the community for its betterment - and for the glory of God. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in;\">So, don\'t let sermons and hymns be all you get out of going to church. Use it also as a tool to establish presence in your community. Helping others in your community and getting to know what there is to do in your city feeds back into the God stuff. I promise. </p>  <p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\">Post a comment to keep me apprised of your new life of vigor and local adventures. I’ll buy <a href=\"http://www.roadfood.com/photos/7953.jpg\">lunch</a> for whoever sends me the best “coming out in <st1:city st=\"on\"><st1:place st=\"on\">Tulsa</st1:place></st1:city>” story. </p>','You, Too, Can Do Tulsa','','inherit','open','open','','5-revision','','','2007-04-27 06:00:00','2007-04-27 06:00:00','',5,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2007/04/5-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6652,1,'2011-03-06 14:19:10','2011-03-06 20:19:10','No, I\'m not here to announce that I\'m expecting another baby. I have, however, been germinating.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXbjDMLgnI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/KFscIo_Fj80/s1600-h/DSC03790.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXbjDMLgnI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/KFscIo_Fj80/s400/DSC03790.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXcpqExtoI/AAAAAAAAAvY/4e2bAtNNJCQ/s1600-h/DSC03786.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311393943780439682\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXcpqExtoI/AAAAAAAAAvY/4e2bAtNNJCQ/s400/DSC03786.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWell, my veggie seeds have been. On Valentine\'s Day, I planted a few varieties of vegetables and several cooking herbs in an indoor seed mother thingie.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdA9vXS7I/AAAAAAAAAvg/H62fCvg3juQ/s1600-h/DSC03784.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311394344196328370\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdA9vXS7I/AAAAAAAAAvg/H62fCvg3juQ/s400/DSC03784.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a>\r\n\r\nYou can tell I have a really technical knowledge of this gardening stuff. Actually, I knew little about what I was doing when I started. Thanks to the following links, though, I now know more:\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.oces.okstate.edu/\">OSU Extension fact sheets on vegetable gardening in Oklahoma</a>; I thought the one about planning a vegetable garden was particularly helpful.</li>\r\n	<li>Pioneer Woman\'s step-by-step tutorial (because she\'s the capital-Q Queen of the step-by-step tutorial) on <a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeandgarden/2011/02/build-your-own-raised-flowervegetable-bed/\">how to build raised beds</a>, which are perfect for vegetable gardening.</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/beginners-guide-organic-gardening\">The beginner\'s guide to organic gardening</a>, as seen on OrganicGardening.com. Duh.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\nWhile it\'s not much, I consider it to be a good start. Feel free to leave more links to Tulsa gardening stuff in the comments. Please. Because my soul thirsts for gardening knowledge.I first became interested in raising food for my family when I did a story on the business of farmers\' markets for Tulsa Business Journal back in 2007. The passion of the growers I talked to for the story impressed me to go home to plant seeds in my backyard <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">that very night</span>. In the middle of May. I mean, $30 worth of seeds I bought at the Wal-Marts would grow all nice and neat and produce lots of lovely food if I put each plant in the ground less than three inches from all of the other plants - right?\r\n\r\nWhoops. My crops of corn, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli, jalapenos, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, green beans, white onions and carrots - all planted at the same time during the first heat wave of the summer - quickly became over-grown and nutrient-deprived. And dry. Plus, I planted the whole mess right under a diseased shade tree.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXgXlk0EqI/AAAAAAAAAvw/gHK1EJR6zls/s1600-h/scan0001.jpg\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311398031381500578\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXgXlk0EqI/AAAAAAAAAvw/gHK1EJR6zls/s400/scan0001.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a>\r\n\r\nNice. \r\n\r\nI hope my grandmother isn\'t reading this right now - you know, the grandmother whose entire yard is always looks like it came fresh off the cover of Southern Living magazine:\r\n\r\n<div><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdmAHg3gI/AAAAAAAAAvo/yCC1iKMN1Pc/s1600-h/ceremony.jpg\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311394980489649666\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 285px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdmAHg3gI/AAAAAAAAAvo/yCC1iKMN1Pc/s400/ceremony.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a>\r\n\r\nYes, that\'s me and my four siblings and husband, all dressed alike in a wedding. It was my dad\'s wedding, in fact, which had an Elvis/Blue Hawaii theme.\r\n\r\nAnd now you all know why I am the way I am.\r\n\r\nI certainly didn\'t inherit my grandmother\'s talent for gardening. But, I didn\'t give up after a false start, and that\'s what counts, right? (Say yes.)\r\n\r\nThis year I\'ll be transplanting starts of roma tomatoes, brandywine tomatoes (heirlooms!), jalapenos, yellow squash and green beans. I\'ll also plant several cooking herbs in pots that I\'ll strategically place all over my yard to make things really sparkle and smell delicious and drive the neighbors even more bonkers than they already are: Italian parsley, sweet basil, rosemary, cilantro, thyme and chives.\r\n\r\nThis weekend we\'re building raised beds; the next step (I think) is to have our soil amended. I\'ll be keeping you all posted on how my little garden is coming along. Right now I\'m just hoping everything lives to be transplanted.\r\n\r\nWhat veggies are you growing in your garden this year? I hope to hear of someone growing some really weird stuff, like the tomatoes they use to make purple ketchup. Those things must be <em>crazy</em>.','My First Garden in Tulsa: What My Valentine\'s Day Activities Hath Wrought','You can tell I have a really technical knowledge of this gardening stuff. Actually, I knew little about what I was doing when I started.','inherit','open','open','','114-revision-5','','','2011-03-06 14:19:10','2011-03-06 20:19:10','',114,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/114-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6647,1,'2011-03-06 14:21:13','2011-03-06 20:21:13','','My First Garden in Tulsa','','inherit','open','open','','gardening','','','2011-03-06 14:21:13','2011-03-06 20:21:13','',114,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gardening.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6651,1,'2011-03-06 14:25:07','2011-03-06 20:25:07','','Dads Wedding','','inherit','open','open','','dadswedding','','','2011-03-06 14:25:07','2011-03-06 20:25:07','',114,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dadswedding.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6650,1,'2011-03-06 14:24:12','2011-03-06 20:24:12','','My First Garden in Tulsa','','inherit','open','open','','gardening-4','','','2011-03-06 14:24:12','2011-03-06 20:24:12','',114,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gardening3.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6645,1,'2011-03-06 14:03:08','2011-03-06 20:03:08','No, I\'m not here to announce that I\'m expecting another baby. I have, however, been germinating.\r\n<div><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXbjDMLgnI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/KFscIo_Fj80/s1600-h/DSC03790.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311392730751664754\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXbjDMLgnI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/KFscIo_Fj80/s400/DSC03790.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXcpqExtoI/AAAAAAAAAvY/4e2bAtNNJCQ/s1600-h/DSC03786.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311393943780439682\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXcpqExtoI/AAAAAAAAAvY/4e2bAtNNJCQ/s400/DSC03786.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a></div>\r\n<div>Well, my veggie seeds have been. On Valentine\'s Day, I planted a few varieties of vegetables and several cooking herbs in an indoor seed mother thingie.</div>\r\n<div><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdA9vXS7I/AAAAAAAAAvg/H62fCvg3juQ/s1600-h/DSC03784.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311394344196328370\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdA9vXS7I/AAAAAAAAAvg/H62fCvg3juQ/s400/DSC03784.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a></div>\r\n<div>You can tell I have a really technical knowledge of this gardening stuff. Actually, I knew little about what I was doing when I started. Thanks to the following links, though, I now know more:</div>\r\n<div>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-398\">OSU Extension fact sheets on vegetable gardening in Oklahoma</a>; I thought <a href=\"http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-1092/HLA-6004web.pdf\">the one about planning a vegetable garden</a> was particularly helpful.</li>\r\n	<li>Pioneer Woman\'s step-by-step tutorial (because she\'s the capital-Q Queen of the step-by-step tutorial) on <a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeandgarden/2009/02/build-your-own-raised-flowervegetable-bed/\">how to build raised beds</a>, which are perfect for vegetable gardening.</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s1-5-19-1761,00.html\">The beginner\'s guide to organic gardening</a>, as seen on OrganicGardening.com. Duh.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>While it\'s not much, I consider it to be a good start. Feel free to leave more links to Tulsa gardening stuff in the comments. Please. Because my soul thirsts for gardening knowledge.\r\n\r\nI first became interested in raising food for my family when I did <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/article.asp?aID=14711702.6531209.585351.533233.8025036.703&amp;aID2=45018\">a story on the business of farmers\' markets </a>for <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a> back in 2007. The passion of the growers I talked to for the story impressed me to go home to plant seeds in my backyard <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">that very night</span>. In the middle of May. I mean, $30 worth of seeds I bought at the Wal-Marts would grow all nice and neat and produce lots of lovely food if I put each plant in the ground three inches from all of the other plants - right?\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div>Whoops. My crops of corn, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli, jalapenos, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, green beans, white onions and carrots - all planted at the same time during the first heat wave of the summer - were over-grown, disorganized and nutrient-deprived. And dry. Plus, I planted the whole mess right under a shade tree.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXgXlk0EqI/AAAAAAAAAvw/gHK1EJR6zls/s1600-h/scan0001.jpg\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311398031381500578\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXgXlk0EqI/AAAAAAAAAvw/gHK1EJR6zls/s400/scan0001.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a></div>\r\n<div>I hope my grandmother isn\'t reading this right now - you know, the grandmother whose entire yard is always looks like it came fresh off the cover of Southern Living magazine:</div>\r\n<div><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdmAHg3gI/AAAAAAAAAvo/yCC1iKMN1Pc/s1600-h/ceremony.jpg\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311394980489649666\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 285px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdmAHg3gI/AAAAAAAAAvo/yCC1iKMN1Pc/s400/ceremony.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a></div>\r\n<div>Yes, that\'s me and my four siblings and husband, all dressed alike in a wedding. It was my dad\'s wedding, in fact, which had an Elvis/Blue Hawaii theme.</div>\r\n<div>And now you all know why I am the way I am.</div>\r\n<div>I certainly didn\'t inherit my grandmother\'s talent for gardening. But, I didn\'t give up after a false start, and that\'s what counts, right? (Say yes.)</div>\r\n<div>This year I\'ll be transplanting starts of roma tomatoes, brandywine tomatoes (heirlooms!), jalapenos, yellow squash and green beans. I\'ll also plant several cooking herbs in pots that I\'ll strategically place all over my yard to make things really sparkle and smell delicious and drive the neighbors even more bonkers than they already are: Italian parsley, sweet basil, rosemary, cilantro, thyme and chives.</div>\r\n<div>This weekend we\'re building raised beds; the next step (I think) is to have our soil amended. I\'ll be keeping you all posted on how my little garden is coming along. Right now I\'m just hoping everything lives to be transplanted.</div>\r\n<div>What veggies are you growing in your garden this year? I hope to hear of someone growing some really weird stuff, like the tomatoes they use to make purple ketchup. Those things must be <em>crazy</em>.</div>','My First Garden in Tulsa: What My Valentine\'s Day Activities Hath Wrought','You can tell I have a really technical knowledge of this gardening stuff. Actually, I knew little about what I was doing when I started.','inherit','open','open','','114-revision-3','','','2011-03-06 14:03:08','2011-03-06 20:03:08','',114,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/114-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6643,1,'2009-03-10 02:04:00','2009-03-10 02:04:00','No, I\'m not here to announce that I\'m expecting another baby. I have, however, been germinating. <div><br /></div><div><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXbjDMLgnI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/KFscIo_Fj80/s1600-h/DSC03790.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXbjDMLgnI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/KFscIo_Fj80/s400/DSC03790.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311392730751664754\" border=\"0\" /></a><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXcpqExtoI/AAAAAAAAAvY/4e2bAtNNJCQ/s1600-h/DSC03786.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXcpqExtoI/AAAAAAAAAvY/4e2bAtNNJCQ/s400/DSC03786.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311393943780439682\" border=\"0\" /></a></div><div>Well, my veggie seeds have been. On Valentine\'s Day, I planted a few varieties of vegetables and several cooking herbs in an indoor seed mother thingie. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdA9vXS7I/AAAAAAAAAvg/H62fCvg3juQ/s1600-h/DSC03784.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdA9vXS7I/AAAAAAAAAvg/H62fCvg3juQ/s400/DSC03784.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311394344196328370\" border=\"0\" /></a></div><div>You can tell I have a really technical knowledge of this gardening stuff. Actually, I knew little about what I was doing when I started. Thanks to the following links, though, I now know more: </div><div><ul><li><a href=\"http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-398\">OSU Extension fact sheets on vegetable gardening in Oklahoma</a>; I thought <a href=\"http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-1092/HLA-6004web.pdf\">the one about planning a vegetable garden</a> was particularly helpful.<br /></li><li>Pioneer Woman\'s step-by-step tutorial (because she\'s the capital-Q Queen of the step-by-step tutorial) on <a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeandgarden/2009/02/build-your-own-raised-flowervegetable-bed/\">how to build raised beds</a>, which are perfect for vegetable gardening.</li><li><a href=\"http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s1-5-19-1761,00.html\">The beginner\'s guide to organic gardening</a>, as seen on OrganicGardening.com. Duh.</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>While it\'s not much, I consider it to be a good start. Feel free to leave more links to Tulsa gardening stuff in the comments. Please. Because my soul thirsts for gardening knowledge.<br /><br />I first became interested in raising food for my family when I did <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/article.asp?aID=14711702.6531209.585351.533233.8025036.703&amp;aID2=45018\">a story on the business of farmers\' markets </a>for <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a> back in 2007. The passion of the growers I talked to for the story impressed me to go home to plant seeds in my backyard <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">that very night</span>. In the middle of May. I mean, $30 worth of seeds I bought at the Wal-Marts would grow all nice and neat and produce lots of lovely food if I put each plant in the ground three inches from all of the other plants - right?</div><div><br /></div><div>Whoops. My crops of corn, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli, jalapenos, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, green beans, white onions and carrots - all planted at the same time during the first heat wave of the summer - were over-grown, disorganized and nutrient-deprived. And dry. Plus, I planted the whole mess right under a shade tree.<br /><br /></div><div><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXgXlk0EqI/AAAAAAAAAvw/gHK1EJR6zls/s1600-h/scan0001.jpg\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXgXlk0EqI/AAAAAAAAAvw/gHK1EJR6zls/s400/scan0001.jpg\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311398031381500578\" border=\"0\" /></a></div><div>I hope my grandmother isn\'t reading this right now - you know, the grandmother whose entire yard is always looks like it came fresh off the cover of Southern Living magazine: </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdmAHg3gI/AAAAAAAAAvo/yCC1iKMN1Pc/s1600-h/ceremony.jpg\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 285px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdmAHg3gI/AAAAAAAAAvo/yCC1iKMN1Pc/s400/ceremony.jpg\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311394980489649666\" border=\"0\" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I certainly didn\'t inherit her talent for gardening. But, I didn\'t give up after a false start, and that\'s what counts, right? Say yes. </div><div><br /></div><div>This year I\'ll be transplanting starts of roma tomatoes, brandywine tomatoes (heirloom alert!), jalapenos, yellow squash and green beans. I\'ll also plant several cooking herbs in pots that I\'ll strategically place all over my yard to make things really sparkle and smell delicious and drive the neighbors even more bonkers than they already are: Italian parsley, sweet basil, rosemary, cilantro, thyme and chives. </div><div><br /></div><div>This weekend we\'re building raised beds; the next step (I think) is to have our soil amended. I\'ll be keeping you all posted on how my little garden is coming along. Right now I\'m just hoping everything lives to be transplanted. </div><div><br /></div><div>What veggies are you growing in your garden this year? I hope to hear of someone growing some really weird stuff - like the tomatoes they use to make purple ketchup - and I\'d also like to know where that someone lives so I can come eat some of it.<br /><br />Just kidding about the purple ketchup thing. Maybe.<br /></div><div><br /></div>','What My Valentine\'s Day Activities Hath Wrought','','inherit','open','open','','114-revision','','','2009-03-10 02:04:00','2009-03-10 02:04:00','',114,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/114-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6646,1,'2011-03-06 14:17:24','2011-03-06 20:17:24','No, I\'m not here to announce that I\'m expecting another baby. I have, however, been germinating.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXbjDMLgnI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/KFscIo_Fj80/s1600-h/DSC03790.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311392730751664754\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXbjDMLgnI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/KFscIo_Fj80/s400/DSC03790.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXcpqExtoI/AAAAAAAAAvY/4e2bAtNNJCQ/s1600-h/DSC03786.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311393943780439682\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXcpqExtoI/AAAAAAAAAvY/4e2bAtNNJCQ/s400/DSC03786.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWell, my veggie seeds have been. On Valentine\'s Day, I planted a few varieties of vegetables and several cooking herbs in an indoor seed mother thingie.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdA9vXS7I/AAAAAAAAAvg/H62fCvg3juQ/s1600-h/DSC03784.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311394344196328370\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdA9vXS7I/AAAAAAAAAvg/H62fCvg3juQ/s400/DSC03784.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a>\r\n\r\nYou can tell I have a really technical knowledge of this gardening stuff. Actually, I knew little about what I was doing when I started. Thanks to the following links, though, I now know more:\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.oces.okstate.edu/\">OSU Extension fact sheets on vegetable gardening in Oklahoma</a>; I thought the one about planning a vegetable garden was particularly helpful.</li>\r\n	<li>Pioneer Woman\'s step-by-step tutorial (because she\'s the capital-Q Queen of the step-by-step tutorial) on <a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeandgarden/2011/02/build-your-own-raised-flowervegetable-bed/\">how to build raised beds</a>, which are perfect for vegetable gardening.</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/beginners-guide-organic-gardening\">The beginner\'s guide to organic gardening</a>, as seen on OrganicGardening.com. Duh.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\nWhile it\'s not much, I consider it to be a good start. Feel free to leave more links to Tulsa gardening stuff in the comments. Please. Because my soul thirsts for gardening knowledge.I first became interested in raising food for my family when I did a story on the business of farmers\' markets for Tulsa Business Journal back in 2007. The passion of the growers I talked to for the story impressed me to go home to plant seeds in my backyard <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">that very night</span>. In the middle of May. I mean, $30 worth of seeds I bought at the Wal-Marts would grow all nice and neat and produce lots of lovely food if I put each plant in the ground less than three inches from all of the other plants - right?\r\n\r\nWhoops. My crops of corn, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli, jalapenos, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, green beans, white onions and carrots - all planted at the same time during the first heat wave of the summer - quickly became over-grown and nutrient-deprived. And dry. Plus, I planted the whole mess right under a diseased shade tree.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXgXlk0EqI/AAAAAAAAAvw/gHK1EJR6zls/s1600-h/scan0001.jpg\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311398031381500578\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXgXlk0EqI/AAAAAAAAAvw/gHK1EJR6zls/s400/scan0001.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a>\r\n\r\nNice. \r\n\r\nI hope my grandmother isn\'t reading this right now - you know, the grandmother whose entire yard is always looks like it came fresh off the cover of Southern Living magazine:\r\n\r\n<div><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdmAHg3gI/AAAAAAAAAvo/yCC1iKMN1Pc/s1600-h/ceremony.jpg\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311394980489649666\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 285px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdmAHg3gI/AAAAAAAAAvo/yCC1iKMN1Pc/s400/ceremony.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a>\r\n\r\nYes, that\'s me and my four siblings and husband, all dressed alike in a wedding. It was my dad\'s wedding, in fact, which had an Elvis/Blue Hawaii theme.\r\n\r\nAnd now you all know why I am the way I am.\r\n\r\nI certainly didn\'t inherit my grandmother\'s talent for gardening. But, I didn\'t give up after a false start, and that\'s what counts, right? (Say yes.)\r\n\r\nThis year I\'ll be transplanting starts of roma tomatoes, brandywine tomatoes (heirlooms!), jalapenos, yellow squash and green beans. I\'ll also plant several cooking herbs in pots that I\'ll strategically place all over my yard to make things really sparkle and smell delicious and drive the neighbors even more bonkers than they already are: Italian parsley, sweet basil, rosemary, cilantro, thyme and chives.\r\n\r\nThis weekend we\'re building raised beds; the next step (I think) is to have our soil amended. I\'ll be keeping you all posted on how my little garden is coming along. Right now I\'m just hoping everything lives to be transplanted.\r\n\r\nWhat veggies are you growing in your garden this year? I hope to hear of someone growing some really weird stuff, like the tomatoes they use to make purple ketchup. Those things must be <em>crazy</em>.','My First Garden in Tulsa: What My Valentine\'s Day Activities Hath Wrought','You can tell I have a really technical knowledge of this gardening stuff. Actually, I knew little about what I was doing when I started.','inherit','open','open','','114-revision-4','','','2011-03-06 14:17:24','2011-03-06 20:17:24','',114,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/114-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6644,1,'2011-03-06 14:02:24','2011-03-06 20:02:24','No, I\'m not here to announce that I\'m expecting another baby. I have, however, been germinating.\r\n<div><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXbjDMLgnI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/KFscIo_Fj80/s1600-h/DSC03790.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311392730751664754\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXbjDMLgnI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/KFscIo_Fj80/s400/DSC03790.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXcpqExtoI/AAAAAAAAAvY/4e2bAtNNJCQ/s1600-h/DSC03786.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311393943780439682\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXcpqExtoI/AAAAAAAAAvY/4e2bAtNNJCQ/s400/DSC03786.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a></div>\r\n<div>Well, my veggie seeds have been. On Valentine\'s Day, I planted a few varieties of vegetables and several cooking herbs in an indoor seed mother thingie.</div>\r\n<div><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdA9vXS7I/AAAAAAAAAvg/H62fCvg3juQ/s1600-h/DSC03784.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311394344196328370\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdA9vXS7I/AAAAAAAAAvg/H62fCvg3juQ/s400/DSC03784.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a></div>\r\n<div>You can tell I have a really technical knowledge of this gardening stuff. Actually, I knew little about what I was doing when I started. Thanks to the following links, though, I now know more:</div>\r\n<div>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-398\">OSU Extension fact sheets on vegetable gardening in Oklahoma</a>; I thought <a href=\"http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-1092/HLA-6004web.pdf\">the one about planning a vegetable garden</a> was particularly helpful.</li>\r\n	<li>Pioneer Woman\'s step-by-step tutorial (because she\'s the capital-Q Queen of the step-by-step tutorial) on <a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeandgarden/2009/02/build-your-own-raised-flowervegetable-bed/\">how to build raised beds</a>, which are perfect for vegetable gardening.</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s1-5-19-1761,00.html\">The beginner\'s guide to organic gardening</a>, as seen on OrganicGardening.com. Duh.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>While it\'s not much, I consider it to be a good start. Feel free to leave more links to Tulsa gardening stuff in the comments. Please. Because my soul thirsts for gardening knowledge.\r\n\r\nI first became interested in raising food for my family when I did <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/article.asp?aID=14711702.6531209.585351.533233.8025036.703&amp;aID2=45018\">a story on the business of farmers\' markets </a>for <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a> back in 2007. The passion of the growers I talked to for the story impressed me to go home to plant seeds in my backyard <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">that very night</span>. In the middle of May. I mean, $30 worth of seeds I bought at the Wal-Marts would grow all nice and neat and produce lots of lovely food if I put each plant in the ground three inches from all of the other plants - right?\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div>Whoops. My crops of corn, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli, jalapenos, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, green beans, white onions and carrots - all planted at the same time during the first heat wave of the summer - were over-grown, disorganized and nutrient-deprived. And dry. Plus, I planted the whole mess right under a shade tree.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXgXlk0EqI/AAAAAAAAAvw/gHK1EJR6zls/s1600-h/scan0001.jpg\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311398031381500578\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXgXlk0EqI/AAAAAAAAAvw/gHK1EJR6zls/s400/scan0001.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a></div>\r\n<div>I hope my grandmother isn\'t reading this right now - you know, the grandmother whose entire yard is always looks like it came fresh off the cover of Southern Living magazine:</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdmAHg3gI/AAAAAAAAAvo/yCC1iKMN1Pc/s1600-h/ceremony.jpg\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311394980489649666\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 285px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SbXdmAHg3gI/AAAAAAAAAvo/yCC1iKMN1Pc/s400/ceremony.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a></div>\r\n<div>Yes, that\'s me and my four siblings and husband, all dressed alike in a wedding. It was my dad\'s wedding, in fact, which had an Elvis/Blue Hawaii theme.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>And now you all know why I am the way I am.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>I certainly didn\'t inherit my grandmother\'s talent for gardening. But, I didn\'t give up after a false start, and that\'s what counts, right? (Say yes.)</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>This year I\'ll be transplanting starts of roma tomatoes, brandywine tomatoes (heirlooms!), jalapenos, yellow squash and green beans. I\'ll also plant several cooking herbs in pots that I\'ll strategically place all over my yard to make things really sparkle and smell delicious and drive the neighbors even more bonkers than they already are: Italian parsley, sweet basil, rosemary, cilantro, thyme and chives.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>This weekend we\'re building raised beds; the next step (I think) is to have our soil amended. I\'ll be keeping you all posted on how my little garden is coming along. Right now I\'m just hoping everything lives to be transplanted.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>What veggies are you growing in your garden this year? I hope to hear of someone growing some really weird stuff, like the tomatoes they use to make purple ketchup. Those things must be <em>crazy</em>.</div>','My First Garden in Tulsa: What My Valentine\'s Day Activities Hath Wrought','You can tell I have a really technical knowledge of this gardening stuff. Actually, I knew little about what I was doing when I started.','inherit','open','open','','114-revision-2','','','2011-03-06 14:02:24','2011-03-06 20:02:24','',114,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/114-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6654,1,'2011-03-06 14:25:52','2011-03-06 20:25:52','No, I\'m not here to announce that I\'m expecting another baby. I have, however, been germinating.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6647\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/gardening/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6647  aligncenter\" title=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gardening.jpg\" alt=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6648\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/gardening-2/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6648  aligncenter\" title=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gardening1.jpg\" alt=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\nWell, my veggie seeds have been. On Valentine\'s Day, I planted a few varieties of vegetables and several cooking herbs in an indoor seed mother thingie.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6649\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/gardening-3/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6649  aligncenter\" title=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gardening2.jpg\" alt=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\nYou can tell I have a really technical knowledge of this gardening stuff. Actually, I knew little about what I was doing when I started. Thanks to the following links, though, I now know more:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.oces.okstate.edu/\">OSU Extension fact sheets on vegetable gardening in Oklahoma</a>; I thought the one about planning a vegetable garden was particularly helpful.</li>\r\n	<li>Pioneer Woman\'s step-by-step tutorial (because she\'s the capital-Q Queen of the step-by-step tutorial) on <a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeandgarden/2011/02/build-your-own-raised-flowervegetable-bed/\">how to build raised beds</a>, which are perfect for vegetable gardening.</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/beginners-guide-organic-gardening\">The beginner\'s guide to organic gardening</a>, as seen on OrganicGardening.com. Duh.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhile it\'s not much, I consider it to be a good start. Feel free to leave more links to Tulsa gardening stuff in the comments. Please. Because my soul thirsts for gardening knowledge.I first became interested in raising food for my family when I did a story on the business of farmers\' markets for Tulsa Business Journal back in 2007. The passion of the growers I talked to for the story impressed me to go home to plant seeds in my backyard <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">that very night</span>. In the middle of May. I mean, $30 worth of seeds I bought at the Wal-Marts would grow all nice and neat and produce lots of lovely food if I put each plant in the ground less than three inches from all of the other plants - right?\r\n\r\nWhoops. My crops of corn, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli, jalapenos, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, green beans, white onions and carrots - all planted at the same time during the first heat wave of the summer - quickly became over-grown and nutrient-deprived. And dry. Plus, I planted the whole mess right under a diseased shade tree.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6650\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/gardening-4/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6650  aligncenter\" title=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gardening3.jpg\" alt=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" width=\"400\" height=\"269\" /></a></p>\r\nNice.\r\n\r\nI hope my grandmother isn\'t reading this right now - you know, the grandmother whose entire yard is always looks like it came fresh off the cover of Southern Living magazine:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6651\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/dadswedding/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6651  aligncenter\" title=\"Dads Wedding\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dadswedding.jpg\" alt=\"Dads Wedding\" width=\"400\" height=\"285\" /></a></p>\r\nYes, that\'s me and my four siblings and husband, all dressed alike in a wedding. It was my dad\'s wedding, in fact, which had an Elvis/Blue Hawaii theme.\r\n\r\nAnd now you all know why I am the way I am.\r\n\r\nI certainly didn\'t inherit my grandmother\'s talent for gardening. But, I didn\'t give up after a false start, and that\'s what counts, right? (Say yes.)\r\n\r\nThis year I\'ll be transplanting starts of roma tomatoes, brandywine tomatoes (heirlooms!), jalapenos, yellow squash and green beans. I\'ll also plant several cooking herbs in pots that I\'ll strategically place all over my yard to make things really sparkle and smell delicious and drive the neighbors even more bonkers than they already are: Italian parsley, sweet basil, rosemary, cilantro, thyme and chives.\r\n\r\nThis weekend we\'re building raised beds; the next step (I think) is to have our soil amended. I\'ll be keeping you all posted on how my little garden is coming along. Right now I\'m just hoping everything lives to be transplanted.\r\n\r\nWhat veggies are you growing in your garden this year? I hope to hear of someone growing some really weird stuff, like the tomatoes they use to make purple ketchup. Those things must be <em>crazy</em>.','My First Garden in Tulsa: What My Valentine\'s Day Activities Hath Wrought','You can tell I have a really technical knowledge of this gardening stuff. Actually, I knew little about what I was doing when I started.','inherit','open','open','','114-revision-7','','','2011-03-06 14:25:52','2011-03-06 20:25:52','',114,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/114-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(6655,1,'2011-03-06 14:31:14','2011-03-06 20:31:14','No, I\'m not here to announce that I\'m expecting another baby. I have, however, been germinating.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6647\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/gardening/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6647  aligncenter\" title=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gardening.jpg\" alt=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6648\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/gardening-2/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6648  aligncenter\" title=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gardening1.jpg\" alt=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\nWell, my veggie seeds have been. On Valentine\'s Day, I planted a few varieties of vegetables and several cooking herbs in an indoor seed mother thingie.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6649\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/gardening-3/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6649  aligncenter\" title=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gardening2.jpg\" alt=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\nYou can tell I have a really technical knowledge of this gardening stuff. Actually, I knew little about what I was doing when I started. Thanks to the following links, though, I now know more:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.oces.okstate.edu/\">OSU Extension fact sheets on vegetable gardening in Oklahoma</a>; I thought the one about planning a vegetable garden was particularly helpful.</li>\r\n	<li>Pioneer Woman\'s step-by-step tutorial (because she\'s the capital-Q Queen of the step-by-step tutorial) on <a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeandgarden/2011/02/build-your-own-raised-flowervegetable-bed/\">how to build raised beds</a>, which are perfect for vegetable gardening.</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/beginners-guide-organic-gardening\">The beginner\'s guide to organic gardening</a>, as seen on OrganicGardening.com. Duh.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhile it\'s not much, I consider it to be a good start. Feel free to leave more links to Tulsa gardening stuff in the comments. Please. Because my soul thirsts for gardening knowledge.\r\n\r\nI first became interested in raising food for my family when I did a story on the business of farmers\' markets for Tulsa Business Journal back in 2007. The passion of the growers I talked to for the story impressed me to go home to plant seeds in my backyard <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">that very night</span>. In the middle of May. I mean, $30 worth of seeds I bought at the Wal-Marts would grow all nice and neat and produce lots of lovely food if I put each plant in the ground less than three inches from all of the other plants - right?\r\n\r\nWhoops. My crops of corn, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli, jalapenos, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, green beans, white onions and carrots - all planted at the same time during the first heat wave of the summer - quickly became over-grown and nutrient-deprived. And dry. Plus, I planted the whole mess right under a diseased shade tree.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6650\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/gardening-4/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6650  aligncenter\" title=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gardening3.jpg\" alt=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" width=\"400\" height=\"269\" /></a></p>\r\nNice.\r\n\r\nI hope my grandmother isn\'t reading this right now - you know, the grandmother whose entire yard is always looks like it came fresh off the cover of Southern Living magazine:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6651\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/dadswedding/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6651  aligncenter\" title=\"Dads Wedding\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dadswedding.jpg\" alt=\"Dads Wedding\" width=\"400\" height=\"285\" /></a></p>\r\nYes, that\'s me and my four siblings and husband, all dressed alike in a wedding. It was my dad\'s wedding, in fact, which had an Elvis/Blue Hawaii theme.\r\n\r\nAnd now you all know why I am the way I am.\r\n\r\nI certainly didn\'t inherit my grandmother\'s talent for gardening. But, I didn\'t give up after a false start, and that\'s what counts, right? (Say yes.)\r\n\r\nThis year I\'ll be transplanting starts of roma tomatoes, brandywine tomatoes (heirlooms!), jalapenos, yellow squash and green beans. I\'ll also plant several cooking herbs in pots that I\'ll strategically place all over my yard to make things really sparkle and smell delicious and drive the neighbors even more bonkers than they already are: Italian parsley, sweet basil, rosemary, cilantro, thyme and chives.\r\n\r\nThis weekend we\'re building raised beds; the next step (I think) is to have our soil amended. I\'ll be keeping you all posted on how my little garden is coming along. Right now I\'m just hoping everything lives to be transplanted.\r\n\r\nWhat veggies are you growing in your garden this year? I hope to hear of someone growing some really weird stuff, like the tomatoes they use to make purple ketchup. Those things must be <em>crazy</em>.','My First Garden in Tulsa: What My Valentine\'s Day Activities Hath Wrought','You can tell I have a really technical knowledge of this gardening stuff. Actually, I knew little about what I was doing when I started.','inherit','open','open','','114-revision-8','','','2011-03-06 14:31:14','2011-03-06 20:31:14','',114,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/114-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6656,1,'2011-03-06 14:31:14','2011-03-06 20:31:14','No, I\'m not here to announce that I\'m expecting another baby. I have, however, been germinating.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6647\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/gardening/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6647  aligncenter\" title=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gardening.jpg\" alt=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6648\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/gardening-2/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6648  aligncenter\" title=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gardening1.jpg\" alt=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\nWell, my veggie seeds have been. On Valentine\'s Day, I planted a few varieties of vegetables and several cooking herbs in an indoor seed mother thingie.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6649\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/gardening-3/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6649  aligncenter\" title=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gardening2.jpg\" alt=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\nYou can tell I have a really technical knowledge of this gardening stuff. Actually, I knew little about what I was doing when I started. Thanks to the following links, though, I now know more:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.oces.okstate.edu/\">OSU Extension fact sheets on vegetable gardening in Oklahoma</a>; I thought the one about planning a vegetable garden was particularly helpful.</li>\r\n	<li>Pioneer Woman\'s step-by-step tutorial (because she\'s the capital-Q Queen of the step-by-step tutorial) on <a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeandgarden/2011/02/build-your-own-raised-flowervegetable-bed/\">how to build raised beds</a>, which are perfect for vegetable gardening.</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/beginners-guide-organic-gardening\">The beginner\'s guide to organic gardening</a>, as seen on OrganicGardening.com. Duh.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhile it\'s not much, I consider it to be a good start. Feel free to leave more links to Tulsa gardening stuff in the comments. Please. Because my soul thirsts for gardening knowledge.\r\n\r\nI first became interested in raising food for my family when I did a story on the business of farmers\' markets for Tulsa Business Journal back in 2007. The passion of the growers I talked to for the story impressed me to go home to plant seeds in my backyard <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">that very night</span>. In the middle of May. I mean, $30 worth of seeds I bought at the Wal-Marts would grow all nice and neat and produce lots of lovely food if I put each plant in the ground less than three inches from all of the other plants - right?\r\n\r\nWhoops. My crops of corn, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli, jalapenos, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, green beans, white onions and carrots - all planted at the same time during the first heat wave of the summer - quickly became over-grown and nutrient-deprived. And dry. Plus, I planted the whole mess right under a diseased shade tree.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6650\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/gardening-4/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6650  aligncenter\" title=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gardening3.jpg\" alt=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" width=\"400\" height=\"269\" /></a></p>\r\nNice.\r\n\r\nI hope my grandmother isn\'t reading this right now - you know, the grandmother whose entire yard is always looks like it came fresh off the cover of Southern Living magazine:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6651\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/dadswedding/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6651  aligncenter\" title=\"Dads Wedding\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dadswedding.jpg\" alt=\"Dads Wedding\" width=\"400\" height=\"285\" /></a></p>\r\nYes, that\'s me and my four siblings and husband, all dressed alike in a wedding. It was my dad\'s wedding, in fact, which had an Elvis/Blue Hawaii theme.\r\n\r\nAnd now you all know why I am the way I am.\r\n\r\nI certainly didn\'t inherit my grandmother\'s talent for gardening. But, I didn\'t give up after a false start, and that\'s what counts, right? (Say yes.)\r\n\r\nThis year I\'ll be transplanting starts of roma tomatoes, brandywine tomatoes (heirlooms!), jalapenos, yellow squash and green beans. I\'ll also plant several cooking herbs in pots that I\'ll strategically place all over my yard to make things really sparkle and smell delicious and drive the neighbors even more bonkers than they already are: Italian parsley, sweet basil, rosemary, cilantro, thyme and chives.\r\n\r\nThis weekend we\'re building raised beds; the next step (I think) is to have our soil amended. I\'ll be keeping you all posted on how my little garden is coming along. Right now I\'m just hoping everything lives to be transplanted.\r\n\r\nWhat veggies are you growing in your garden this year? I hope to hear of someone growing some really weird stuff, like the tomatoes they use to make purple ketchup. Those things must be <em>crazy</em>.','My First Garden in Tulsa: What My Valentine\'s Day Activities Hath Wrought','You can tell I have a really technical knowledge of this gardening stuff. Actually, I knew little about what I was doing when I started.','inherit','open','open','','114-revision-9','','','2011-03-06 14:31:14','2011-03-06 20:31:14','',114,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/114-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(6657,1,'2011-03-06 14:32:57','2011-03-06 20:32:57','No, I\'m not here to announce that I\'m expecting another baby. I have, however, been germinating.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6647\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/gardening/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6647  aligncenter\" title=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gardening.jpg\" alt=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6648\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/gardening-2/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6648  aligncenter\" title=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gardening1.jpg\" alt=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\nWell, my veggie seeds have been. On Valentine\'s Day, I planted a few varieties of vegetables and several cooking herbs in an indoor seed mother thingie.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6649\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/gardening-3/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6649  aligncenter\" title=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gardening2.jpg\" alt=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\nYou can tell I have a really technical knowledge of this gardening stuff. Actually, I knew little about what I was doing when I started. Thanks to the following links, though, I now know more:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.oces.okstate.edu/\">OSU Extension fact sheets on vegetable gardening in Oklahoma</a>; I thought the one about planning a vegetable garden was particularly helpful.</li>\r\n	<li>Pioneer Woman\'s step-by-step tutorial (because she\'s the capital-Q Queen of the step-by-step tutorial) on <a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeandgarden/2011/02/build-your-own-raised-flowervegetable-bed/\">how to build raised beds</a>, which are perfect for vegetable gardening.</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/beginners-guide-organic-gardening\">The beginner\'s guide to organic gardening</a>, as seen on OrganicGardening.com. Duh.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhile it\'s not much, I consider it to be a good start. Feel free to leave more links to Tulsa gardening stuff in the comments. Please. Because my soul thirsts for gardening knowledge.\r\n\r\nI first became interested in raising food for my family when I did a story on the business of farmers\' markets for Tulsa Business Journal back in 2007. The passion of the growers I talked to for the story impressed me to go home to plant seeds in my backyard <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">that very night</span>. In the middle of May. I mean, $30 worth of seeds I bought at the Wal-Marts would grow all nice and neat and produce lots of lovely food if I put each plant in the ground less than three inches from all of the other plants - right?\r\n\r\nWhoops. My crops of corn, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli, jalapenos, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, green beans, white onions and carrots - all planted at the same time during the first heat wave of the summer - quickly became over-grown and nutrient-deprived. And dry. Plus, I planted the whole mess right under a diseased shade tree.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6650\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/gardening-4/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6650  aligncenter\" title=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gardening3.jpg\" alt=\"My First Garden in Tulsa\" width=\"400\" height=\"269\" /></a></p>\r\nNice.\r\n\r\nI hope my grandmother isn\'t reading this right now - you know, the grandmother whose entire yard is always looks like it came fresh off the cover of Southern Living magazine:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6651\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/03/my-first-garden-in-tulsa-starting-seeds/dadswedding/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6651  aligncenter\" title=\"Dads Wedding\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dadswedding.jpg\" alt=\"Dads Wedding\" width=\"400\" height=\"285\" /></a></p>\r\nYes, that\'s me and my four siblings and husband, all dressed alike in a wedding. It was my dad\'s wedding, in fact, and it had an Elvis/Blue Hawaii theme.\r\n\r\nAnd now you all know why I am the way I am.\r\n\r\nI certainly didn\'t inherit my grandmother\'s talent for gardening. But, I didn\'t give up after a false start, and that\'s what counts, right? (Say yes.)\r\n\r\nThis year I\'ll be transplanting starts of roma tomatoes, brandywine tomatoes (heirlooms!), jalapenos, yellow squash and green beans. I\'ll also plant several cooking herbs in pots that I\'ll strategically place all over my yard to make things really sparkle and smell delicious and drive the neighbors even more bonkers than they already are: Italian parsley, sweet basil, rosemary, cilantro, thyme and chives.\r\n\r\nThis weekend we\'re building raised beds; the next step (I think) is to have our soil amended. I\'ll be keeping you all posted on how my little garden is coming along. Right now I\'m just hoping everything lives to be transplanted.\r\n\r\nWhat veggies are you growing in your garden this year? I hope to hear of someone growing some really weird stuff, like the tomatoes they use to make purple ketchup. Those things must be <em>crazy</em>.','My First Garden in Tulsa: What My Valentine\'s Day Activities Hath Wrought','You can tell I have a really technical knowledge of this gardening stuff. Actually, I knew little about what I was doing when I started.','inherit','open','open','','114-revision-10','','','2011-03-06 14:32:57','2011-03-06 20:32:57','',114,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/114-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(6658,1,'2011-03-06 14:54:17','2011-03-06 20:54:17','','Tasha Does Tulsa Profile','','inherit','open','open','','traditional-natasha026large','','','2011-03-06 14:54:17','2011-03-06 20:54:17','',2,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6659,1,'2010-08-01 22:51:34','2010-08-02 03:51:34','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/3958218147_8775b9b533_o.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-778\" title=\"3958218147_8775b9b533_o\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/3958218147_8775b9b533_o.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"750\" /></a></div>\r\nLike all good ideas, TashaDoesTulsa.com, now the award-winning online insider\'s guide to Tulsa\'s independent art, music, food and family entertainment scenes, started in a bar.\r\n\r\nIn March 2007 I was working as a reporter for <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>, headquartered in the heart of downtown. Though I\'d lived in Tulsa my whole life, having a job in the center of the city helped me to fall in love with my hometown all over again. I was excited, and I wanted to shout about Tulsa from the rooftops.\r\n\r\nAs I was considering how to best do this, I couldn\'t help but remember some of the popular refrains from my high school days: \"There\'s nothing to do in Tulsa,\" \"Tulsa\'s boring,\" and \"I can\'t wait to get the hell out of this town.\" Granted, all high schoolers say things like this about their hometowns. They\'re disgruntled and disenchanted by nature. You know this, I know this, lots of money has been made in the music industry based on this, we all get it.\r\n\r\nBut, being a fifth-generation Tulsan and proud of it, these kinds of comments always set me on edge.\r\n\r\nPlus, since energy was gathering for downtown revitalization at the time, I was hearing lots of push-back from those who were convinced Tulsa\'s time had passed.\r\n\r\nSo, after a chat with friends over a few beers at <a href=\"http://www.mcnellies.com/\">McNellie\'s</a>, I decided to start a blog. <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/04/tdt-friday-advice-column-19-ways-to-get.html\">In my introductory post I wrote about ways to get to get to know what was unique about Tulsa</a>. I was convinced (as I am still) that the main reason Tulsans complain that there\'s nothing exciting to do in Tulsa is because they\'re uninformed about what makes the city special, and they know little about its entertainment scene. Rather than post about all the things I knew to do in town, I wanted to start by writing how Tulsans could discover the city for themselves.\r\n\r\nI wrote off and on until my son came along in early 2008. Armed with yet another reason to explore and learn more about my city and what there was to do in Tulsa for families, I decided to take to blogging in earnest, both as a way to teach others about what makes Tulsa the best city around and to learn more about it myself. Now I blog every day on Tulsa topics ranging from where to have fun with your kids to which restaurant serves the best chile relleno to what\'s going on this weekend.\r\n\r\nThis little blog has won some big awards, including <a href=\"http://www.thetulseys.com/\">a Tulsey</a> and <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Culture Blog</a> (for three years running) and <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Tulsa Blog in the Oklahoma Blog Awards</a>. I\'ve been making weekly appearances on <a href=\"http://www.krmg.com/krmgmorningnews\">the KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley</a> since spring 2009, and I also contribute to <a href=\"http://www.okmag.com/\">Oklahoma Magazine</a> and <a href=\"http://www.ttownmoms.com/\">Ttownmoms.com</a>, a social networking site for Tulsa-area parents that\'s backed by <a href=\"http://www.kjrh.com/\">KJRH Channel 2</a>. I continue my work with <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a> as its food and entertainment writer.\r\n\r\nI do most of this work with a squirmy toddler in my lap, a Jack Russell terrier at my feet and a patient husband picking up my slack in the laundry and dishwashing departments as he helps me and encourages me to do Tulsa all the way. Best of all about blogging have been my readers, who\'ve pushed me and inspired me to create stories and articles and photos that inform, compel and show off Tulsa and the best it has in store for residents and visitors alike.\r\n\r\nJust as wonderful are my fellow Oklahoma bloggers, who fight the good fight of converting the complacent into advocates for our state and all that it has to offer.\r\n\r\nGot something to say?\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Want to learn more about ad rates?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Know about an event you think belongs on TashaDoesTulsa.com?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Think you could you use some advice on how to navigate the crazy world of social media?</div>\r\nE-mail me: <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">tasha@tashadoestulsa.com</a>\r\n\r\nWant to snail mail me?\r\nBall Media, LLC\r\nP.O. Box 690981\r\nTulsa, OK 74169','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision','','','2010-08-01 22:51:34','2010-08-02 03:51:34','',2,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/08/2-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6661,1,'2011-03-06 15:02:35','2011-03-06 21:02:35','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6658\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"450\" /></a>\r\n\r\nIn March 2007 I was working as a reporter for <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>, headquartered in the heart of downtown. Though I\'d lived in Tulsa my whole life, having a job in the center of the city helped me to fall in love with my hometown all over again. I was excited, and I wanted to shout about Tulsa from the rooftops.\r\n\r\nAs I was considering how to best do this, I couldn\'t help but remember some of the popular refrains of my friends from my high school days: \"There\'s nothing to do in Tulsa,\" \"Tulsa\'s boring,\" and \"I can\'t wait to get the hell out of this town.\" Granted, all high schoolers say things like this about their hometowns. They\'re disgruntled and disenchanted by nature. You know this, I know this, lots of money has been made in the music industry based on this, we all get it.\r\n\r\nBut, being a fifth-generation Tulsan and proud of it, I just couldn\'t buy into what these kids were saying.\r\n\r\nPlus, since energy was gathering for downtown revitalization at the time, I was hearing lots of push-back against a the groundswell of Tulsa patriotism from those who were convinced Tulsa\'s time had passed.\r\n\r\nSo, after a chat with friends over a few beers at <a href=\"http://www.mcnellies.com/\">McNellie\'s</a> (and, of course, one of their burgers and an order of their incomparable sweet potato fries), I decided to start a blog. \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/04/tdt-friday-advice-column-19-ways-to-get.html\">In my introductory post I wrote about ways to get to get to know what was unique about Tulsa</a>. I was convinced (as I am still) that the main reason Tulsans complain that there\'s nothing exciting to do in Tulsa is because they\'re uninformed about what makes the city special, and they know little about its entertainment scene. Rather than post about all the things I knew to do in town, I wanted to start by writing how Tulsans could discover the city for themselves.\r\n\r\nI wrote off and on until my son came along in early 2008. Armed with yet another reason to explore and learn more about my city and what there was to do in Tulsa for families, I decided to take to blogging in earnest, both as a way to teach others about what makes Tulsa the best city around, to learn more about it myself and to earn some extra money for my family. Now I blog every day on Tulsa topics ranging from where to have fun with your kids to which restaurant serves the best chile relleno to what\'s going on around town this weekend.\r\n\r\nThis little blog has won some big awards, including <a href=\"http://www.thetulseys.com/\">a Tulsey</a>, <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Culture Blog</a> (for three years running) and <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Tulsa Blog in the Oklahoma Blog Awards</a>. I make regular appearances on <a href=\"http://www.krmg.com/krmgmorningnews\">the KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley</a> and <a href=\"http://www.fox23.com/\">Fox23 Daybreak</a>, and I contribute to <a href=\"http://www.okmag.com/\">Oklahoma Magazine</a>, <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/\">TulsaKids Magazine</a> and <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>.\r\n\r\nI do most of this work with a squirmy toddler in my lap, a Jack Russell terrier at my feet and a patient husband picking up my slack in the laundry and dishwashing departments as he helps me and encourages me to do Tulsa all the way. Best of all about blogging have been my readers, who\'ve pushed me and inspired me to create stories and articles and photos that inform, compel and show off Tulsa and the best it has in store for residents and visitors alike.\r\n\r\nJust as wonderful are my fellow Oklahoma bloggers, who fight the good fight of converting the complacent into advocates for our state and all that it has to offer.\r\n\r\nGot something to say?\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Want to learn more about ad rates?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Know about an event you think belongs on TashaDoesTulsa.com?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Think you could you use some advice on how to navigate the crazy world of social media?</div>\r\nE-mail me: <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">tasha@tashadoestulsa.com</a>\r\n\r\nWant to snail mail me?\r\nNatasha Ball\r\nBall Media, LLC\r\nP.O. Box 690981\r\nTulsa, OK 74169','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-3','','','2011-03-06 15:02:35','2011-03-06 21:02:35','',2,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/2-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6667,1,'2011-03-06 15:16:17','2011-03-06 21:16:17','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658  aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"450\" /></a></p>\r\nIn March 2007 I was working as a reporter for <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>, headquartered in the heart of downtown. Though I\'d lived in Tulsa my whole life, having a job in the center of the city helped me to fall in love with my hometown all over again. I was excited, and I wanted to shout about Tulsa from the rooftops.\r\n\r\nAs I was considering how to best do this, I couldn\'t help but remember some of the popular refrains I\'d heard from kids at school: \"There\'s nothing to do in Tulsa,\" \"Tulsa\'s boring,\" and then, of course, the classic, \"I can\'t wait to get the hell out of this town.\" Granted, all kids say things like this about their hometowns. They\'re disgruntled and disenchanted by nature. You know this, I know this, lots of money has been made in the music industry based on this, we all get it.\r\n\r\nBut, being a proud fifth-generation Tulsan, I just didn\'t buy it.\r\n\r\nPlus, since energy was gathering for downtown revitalization at the time, I was hearing lots of push-back against a the groundswell of Tulsa patriotism from those who were convinced Tulsa\'s time had passed.\r\n\r\nSo, after a chat with friends over a few beers at <a href=\"http://www.mcnellies.com/\">McNellie\'s</a> (and, of course, one of their burgers and an order of their incomparable sweet potato fries), I decided to start a blog.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/04/tdt-friday-advice-column-19-ways-to-get.html\">In my introductory post I wrote about ways to get to get to know what was unique about Tulsa</a>. I was convinced (as I am still) that the main reason Tulsans complain that there\'s nothing exciting to do in Tulsa is because they\'re uninformed about what makes the city special, and they know little about its entertainment scene. Rather than post about all the things I knew to do in town, I wanted to start by writing how Tulsans could discover the city for themselves.\r\n\r\nI wrote off and on until my son came along in early 2008. Armed with yet another reason to explore and learn more about my city and what there was to do in Tulsa for families, I decided to take to blogging in earnest, both as a way to teach others about what makes Tulsa the best city around, to learn more about it myself and to earn some extra money for my family. Now I blog every day on Tulsa topics ranging from where to have fun with your kids to which restaurant serves the best chile relleno to what\'s going on around town this weekend.\r\n\r\nThis little blog has won some big awards, including <a href=\"http://www.thetulseys.com/\">a Tulsey</a>, <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Culture Blog</a> (for three years running) and <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Tulsa Blog in the Oklahoma Blog Awards</a>. I make regular appearances on <a href=\"http://www.krmg.com/krmgmorningnews\">the KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley</a> and <a href=\"http://www.fox23.com/\">Fox23 Daybreak</a>, and I contribute to <a href=\"http://www.okmag.com/\">Oklahoma Magazine</a>, <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/\">TulsaKids Magazine</a> and <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>.\r\n\r\nI do most of this work with a squirmy toddler in my lap, a Jack Russell terrier at my feet and a patient husband picking up my slack in the laundry and dishwashing departments as he helps me and encourages me to do Tulsa all the way. Best of all about blogging have been my readers, who\'ve pushed me and inspired me to create stories and articles and photos that inform, compel and show off Tulsa and the best it has in store for residents and visitors alike.\r\n\r\nJust as wonderful are my fellow Oklahoma bloggers, who fight the good fight of converting the complacent into advocates for our state and all that it has to offer.\r\n\r\nGot something to say?\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Want to learn more about ad rates?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Know about an event you think belongs on TashaDoesTulsa.com?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Think you could you use some advice on how to navigate the crazy world of social media?</div>\r\nE-mail me: <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">tasha@tashadoestulsa.com</a>\r\n\r\nWant to snail mail me?\r\nNatasha Ball\r\nBall Media, LLC\r\nP.O. Box 690981\r\nTulsa, OK 74169','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-8','','','2011-03-06 15:16:17','2011-03-06 21:16:17','',2,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/2-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6662,1,'2011-03-06 15:07:12','2011-03-06 21:07:12','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658  aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"450\" /></a></p>\r\nIn March 2007 I was working as a reporter for <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>, headquartered in the heart of downtown. Though I\'d lived in Tulsa my whole life, having a job in the center of the city helped me to fall in love with my hometown all over again. I was excited, and I wanted to shout about Tulsa from the rooftops.\r\n\r\nAs I was considering how to best do this, I couldn\'t help but remember some of the popular refrains of my friends from my high school days: \"There\'s nothing to do in Tulsa,\" \"Tulsa\'s boring,\" and \"I can\'t wait to get the hell out of this town.\" Granted, all high schoolers say things like this about their hometowns. They\'re disgruntled and disenchanted by nature. You know this, I know this, lots of money has been made in the music industry based on this, we all get it.\r\n\r\nBut, being a fifth-generation Tulsan and proud of it, I just couldn\'t buy into what these kids were saying.\r\n\r\nPlus, since energy was gathering for downtown revitalization at the time, I was hearing lots of push-back against a the groundswell of Tulsa patriotism from those who were convinced Tulsa\'s time had passed.\r\n\r\nSo, after a chat with friends over a few beers at <a href=\"http://www.mcnellies.com/\">McNellie\'s</a> (and, of course, one of their burgers and an order of their incomparable sweet potato fries), I decided to start a blog.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/04/tdt-friday-advice-column-19-ways-to-get.html\">In my introductory post I wrote about ways to get to get to know what was unique about Tulsa</a>. I was convinced (as I am still) that the main reason Tulsans complain that there\'s nothing exciting to do in Tulsa is because they\'re uninformed about what makes the city special, and they know little about its entertainment scene. Rather than post about all the things I knew to do in town, I wanted to start by writing how Tulsans could discover the city for themselves.\r\n\r\nI wrote off and on until my son came along in early 2008. Armed with yet another reason to explore and learn more about my city and what there was to do in Tulsa for families, I decided to take to blogging in earnest, both as a way to teach others about what makes Tulsa the best city around, to learn more about it myself and to earn some extra money for my family. Now I blog every day on Tulsa topics ranging from where to have fun with your kids to which restaurant serves the best chile relleno to what\'s going on around town this weekend.\r\n\r\nThis little blog has won some big awards, including <a href=\"http://www.thetulseys.com/\">a Tulsey</a>, <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Culture Blog</a> (for three years running) and <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Tulsa Blog in the Oklahoma Blog Awards</a>. I make regular appearances on <a href=\"http://www.krmg.com/krmgmorningnews\">the KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley</a> and <a href=\"http://www.fox23.com/\">Fox23 Daybreak</a>, and I contribute to <a href=\"http://www.okmag.com/\">Oklahoma Magazine</a>, <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/\">TulsaKids Magazine</a> and <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>.\r\n\r\nI do most of this work with a squirmy toddler in my lap, a Jack Russell terrier at my feet and a patient husband picking up my slack in the laundry and dishwashing departments as he helps me and encourages me to do Tulsa all the way. Best of all about blogging have been my readers, who\'ve pushed me and inspired me to create stories and articles and photos that inform, compel and show off Tulsa and the best it has in store for residents and visitors alike.\r\n\r\nJust as wonderful are my fellow Oklahoma bloggers, who fight the good fight of converting the complacent into advocates for our state and all that it has to offer.\r\n\r\nGot something to say?\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Want to learn more about ad rates?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Know about an event you think belongs on TashaDoesTulsa.com?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Think you could you use some advice on how to navigate the crazy world of social media?</div>\r\nE-mail me: <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">tasha@tashadoestulsa.com</a>\r\n\r\nWant to snail mail me?\r\nNatasha Ball\r\nBall Media, LLC\r\nP.O. Box 690981\r\nTulsa, OK 74169','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-4','','','2011-03-06 15:07:12','2011-03-06 21:07:12','',2,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/2-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6663,1,'2012-03-03 11:01:09','2012-03-03 17:01:09','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658  aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"450\" /></a></p>\n\nBy March 2007 I\'d fallen in love with my hometown all over again. I wanted to shout about Tulsa and what it was becoming from the rooftops. \n\nAs I was considering how to best do this, I couldn\'t help but remember some of the popular refrains I\'d heard from kids at school: \"There\'s nothing to do in Tulsa,\" \"Tulsa\'s boring,\" and then, of course, the classic, \"I can\'t wait to get the hell out of this town.\" \n\nI wasn\'t buying it.\n\nAfter a chat with friends over a few beers at <a href=\"http://www.mcnellies.com/\">McNellie\'s</a> (and, of course, one of their burgers and an order of their incomparable sweet potato fries), I decided to start a blog. <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/04/tdt-friday-advice-column-19-ways-to-get.html\">In my introductory post I wrote about ways to find your own fun in Tulsa, starting with swearing off highways</a>. Rather than post about all the things I knew to do in town, I wanted to start by writing how Tulsans could discover the city for themselves.\n\nI wrote off and on until my son came along in early 2008. I quit my day job and started blogging every day from the little desk in our living room, writing and snapping photos to show Tulsans where to have fun with the kids or which restaurant serves the best chiles rellenos, or where to make plans for the weekend. This little blog began to win some big awards, including <a href=\"http://www.thetulseys.com/\">a Tulsey</a> for best interactive, <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Culture Blog in Oklahoma</a> (for three years running) and <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Tulsa Blog in the Oklahoma Blog Awards</a>. I was asked to join the Friday morning crew at <a href=\"http://www.krmg.com/krmgmorningnews\">the KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley</a> with the list of the best things to do in Tulsa on the weekends. Over the course of the next couple of years I contributed regularly to <a href=\"http://www.okmag.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Oklahoma Magazine</em></a>, <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>TulsaKids Magazine</em></a>, <a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Urban Tulsa Weekly</em></a>, Ttownmoms.com, <a href=\"http://www.fox23.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Fox23 Daybreak</a> and <a href=\"http://www.kjrh.com/\" target=\"_blank\">2News Midday</a>. \n\nThen came an opportunity to join the staff of <a href=\"http://www.thislandpress.com/\" target=\"_blank\">This Land Press</a>, the new media company here in Oklahoma that was deemed by <em>Columbia Journalism Review</em> to be <em>The New Yorker</em> with balls. I signed on as associate editor, and as I worked on stories about <a href=\"http://thislandpress.com/06/27/2011/mother-orpha/\" target=\"_blank\">one of Tulsa\'s toughest bars</a> and <a href=\"http://dowhat.thislandpress.com/09/20/2011/alls-faire-in-love-junk-and-war-games/picture-3-8/\" target=\"_blank\">probably the most exciting thing you\'ll ever do in Muskogee</a>, I helped to build the events and culture site <a href=\"http://dowhat.thislandpress.com/\" target=\"_blank\">DO WHAT, loaded with info on the best things to do in Tulsa</a>. I also teach some courses at local colleges, blogging and social media at <a href=\"http://www.tulsacc.edu/\">Tulsa Community College</a>, plus a new-media journalism course at <a href=\"http://www.utulsa.edu/\" target=\"_blank\">The University of Tulsa</a>. \n\nBest of all about this journey have been the TDT readers, who\'ve pushed me and inspired me to create stories, articles, and photos that inform, compel and showcase Tulsa and what it has in store for residents and visitors alike.\n\nJust as wonderful are my fellow Oklahoma bloggers, who fight the good fight of converting the complacent into advocates for our state and all that it has to offer.\n\nE-mail me: <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">tasha@tashadoestulsa.com</a>\nSubscribe on Facebook: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsa\" target=\"_blank\">facebook.com/tashadoestulsa</a>\nLike TDT: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsablog\" target=\"_blank\">facebook.com/tashadoestulsablog</a>\nTDT on Twitter: <a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/tashadoestulsa\" target=\"_blank\">twitter.com/tashadoestulsa</a>\nLike DO WHAT: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/dowhattulsa\" target=\"_blank\">facebook.com/dowhattulsa</a>','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-autosave','','','2012-03-03 11:01:09','2012-03-03 17:01:09','',2,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/2-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(10653,1,'2011-03-06 15:21:48','2011-03-06 21:21:48','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658  aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"450\" /></a></p>\r\nIn March 2007 I was working as a reporter for <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>, headquartered in the heart of downtown. Though I\'d lived in Tulsa my whole life, having a job in the center of the city helped me to fall in love with my hometown all over again. I was excited, and I wanted to shout about Tulsa from the rooftops.\r\n\r\nAs I was considering how to best do this, I couldn\'t help but remember some of the popular refrains I\'d heard from kids at school: \"There\'s nothing to do in Tulsa,\" \"Tulsa\'s boring,\" and then, of course, the classic, \"I can\'t wait to get the hell out of this town.\" Granted, all kids say things like this about their hometowns. They\'re disgruntled and disenchanted by nature. You know this, I know this, lots of money has been made in the music industry based on this, we all get it.\r\n\r\nBut, being a proud fifth-generation Tulsan, I just didn\'t buy it.\r\n\r\nPlus, since energy was gathering for downtown revitalization at the time, I was hearing lots of push-back against the groundswell of Tulsa pride that had developed from those who were convinced Tulsa\'s time had passed.\r\n\r\nSo, after a chat with friends over a few beers at <a href=\"http://www.mcnellies.com/\">McNellie\'s</a> (and, of course, one of their burgers and an order of their incomparable sweet potato fries), I decided to start a blog.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/04/tdt-friday-advice-column-19-ways-to-get.html\">In my introductory post I wrote about ways to get to get to know what was unique about Tulsa</a>. I was convinced (as I am still) that the main reason Tulsans complain that there\'s nothing exciting to do in Tulsa is because they\'re uninformed about what makes the city special, and they know little about its entertainment scene. Rather than post about all the things I knew to do in town, I wanted to start by writing how Tulsans could discover the city for themselves.\r\n\r\nI wrote off and on until my son came along in early 2008. Armed with yet another reason to explore and learn more about my city and what there was to do in Tulsa for families, I decided to take to blogging in earnest, both as a way to teach others about what makes Tulsa the best city around, to learn more about it myself and to earn some extra money for my family. Now I blog every day on Tulsa topics ranging from where to have fun with your kids to which restaurant serves the best chile relleno to what\'s going on around town this weekend.\r\n\r\nThis little blog has won some big awards, including <a href=\"http://www.thetulseys.com/\">a Tulsey</a>, <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Culture Blog</a> (for three years running) and <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Tulsa Blog in the Oklahoma Blog Awards</a>. I make regular appearances on <a href=\"http://www.krmg.com/krmgmorningnews\">the KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley</a> and <a href=\"http://www.fox23.com/\">Fox23 Daybreak</a>, and I contribute to <a href=\"http://www.okmag.com/\">Oklahoma Magazine</a>, <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/\">TulsaKids Magazine</a> and <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>. I teach blogging and social media classes at <a href=\"http://www.tulsacc.edu/\">Tulsa Community College</a>, too, and sometimes folks like to invite me to their various social functions to talk about the line of work in which I find myself and how it all continues to change the way the we communicate and experience the world around us.\r\n\r\nI do most of this work with a squirmy toddler in my lap, a Jack Russell terrier at my feet and a patient husband picking up my slack in the laundry and dishwashing departments as he helps me and encourages me to do Tulsa all the way. Best of all about blogging have been my readers, who\'ve pushed me and inspired me to create stories and articles and photos that inform, compel and show off Tulsa and the best it has in store for residents and visitors alike.\r\n\r\nJust as wonderful are my fellow Oklahoma bloggers, who fight the good fight of converting the complacent into advocates for our state and all that it has to offer.\r\n\r\nGot something to say?\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Want to learn more about ad rates?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Know about an event you think belongs on TashaDoesTulsa.com?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Think you could you use some advice on how to navigate the crazy world of social media?</div>\r\nE-mail me: <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">tasha@tashadoestulsa.com</a>\r\n\r\nWant to snail mail me?\r\nNatasha Ball\r\nBall Media, LLC\r\nP.O. Box 690981\r\nTulsa, OK 74169','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-15','','','2011-03-06 15:21:48','2011-03-06 21:21:48','',2,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/2-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(6664,1,'2011-03-06 15:07:12','2011-03-06 21:07:12','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658  aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"450\" /></a></p>\r\nIn March 2007 I was working as a reporter for <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>, headquartered in the heart of downtown. Though I\'d lived in Tulsa my whole life, having a job in the center of the city helped me to fall in love with my hometown all over again. I was excited, and I wanted to shout about Tulsa from the rooftops.\r\n\r\nAs I was considering how to best do this, I couldn\'t help but remember some of the popular refrains of my friends from my high school days: \"There\'s nothing to do in Tulsa,\" \"Tulsa\'s boring,\" and \"I can\'t wait to get the hell out of this town.\" Granted, all high schoolers say things like this about their hometowns. They\'re disgruntled and disenchanted by nature. You know this, I know this, lots of money has been made in the music industry based on this, we all get it.\r\n\r\nBut, being a fifth-generation Tulsan and proud of it, I just couldn\'t buy into what these kids were saying.\r\n\r\nPlus, since energy was gathering for downtown revitalization at the time, I was hearing lots of push-back against a the groundswell of Tulsa patriotism from those who were convinced Tulsa\'s time had passed.\r\n\r\nSo, after a chat with friends over a few beers at <a href=\"http://www.mcnellies.com/\">McNellie\'s</a> (and, of course, one of their burgers and an order of their incomparable sweet potato fries), I decided to start a blog.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/04/tdt-friday-advice-column-19-ways-to-get.html\">In my introductory post I wrote about ways to get to get to know what was unique about Tulsa</a>. I was convinced (as I am still) that the main reason Tulsans complain that there\'s nothing exciting to do in Tulsa is because they\'re uninformed about what makes the city special, and they know little about its entertainment scene. Rather than post about all the things I knew to do in town, I wanted to start by writing how Tulsans could discover the city for themselves.\r\n\r\nI wrote off and on until my son came along in early 2008. Armed with yet another reason to explore and learn more about my city and what there was to do in Tulsa for families, I decided to take to blogging in earnest, both as a way to teach others about what makes Tulsa the best city around, to learn more about it myself and to earn some extra money for my family. Now I blog every day on Tulsa topics ranging from where to have fun with your kids to which restaurant serves the best chile relleno to what\'s going on around town this weekend.\r\n\r\nThis little blog has won some big awards, including <a href=\"http://www.thetulseys.com/\">a Tulsey</a>, <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Culture Blog</a> (for three years running) and <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Tulsa Blog in the Oklahoma Blog Awards</a>. I make regular appearances on <a href=\"http://www.krmg.com/krmgmorningnews\">the KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley</a> and <a href=\"http://www.fox23.com/\">Fox23 Daybreak</a>, and I contribute to <a href=\"http://www.okmag.com/\">Oklahoma Magazine</a>, <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/\">TulsaKids Magazine</a> and <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>.\r\n\r\nI do most of this work with a squirmy toddler in my lap, a Jack Russell terrier at my feet and a patient husband picking up my slack in the laundry and dishwashing departments as he helps me and encourages me to do Tulsa all the way. Best of all about blogging have been my readers, who\'ve pushed me and inspired me to create stories and articles and photos that inform, compel and show off Tulsa and the best it has in store for residents and visitors alike.\r\n\r\nJust as wonderful are my fellow Oklahoma bloggers, who fight the good fight of converting the complacent into advocates for our state and all that it has to offer.\r\n\r\nGot something to say?\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Want to learn more about ad rates?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Know about an event you think belongs on TashaDoesTulsa.com?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Think you could you use some advice on how to navigate the crazy world of social media?</div>\r\nE-mail me: <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">tasha@tashadoestulsa.com</a>\r\n\r\nWant to snail mail me?\r\nNatasha Ball\r\nBall Media, LLC\r\nP.O. Box 690981\r\nTulsa, OK 74169','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-5','','','2011-03-06 15:07:12','2011-03-06 21:07:12','',2,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/2-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6665,1,'2011-03-06 15:15:42','2011-03-06 21:15:42','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658  aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"450\" /></a></p>\r\nIn March 2007 I was working as a reporter for <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>, headquartered in the heart of downtown. Though I\'d lived in Tulsa my whole life, having a job in the center of the city helped me to fall in love with my hometown all over again. I was excited, and I wanted to shout about Tulsa from the rooftops.\r\n\r\nAs I was considering how to best do this, I couldn\'t help but remember some of the popular refrains I\'d heard from kids at school: \"There\'s nothing to do in Tulsa,\" \"Tulsa\'s boring,\" and then, of course, the classic, \"I can\'t wait to get the hell out of this town.\" Granted, all kids say things like this about their hometowns. They\'re disgruntled and disenchanted by nature. You know this, I know this, lots of money has been made in the music industry based on this, we all get it.\r\n\r\nBut, being a proud fifth-generation Tulsan, I just couldn\'t buy into what these kids were saying.\r\n\r\nPlus, since energy was gathering for downtown revitalization at the time, I was hearing lots of push-back against a the groundswell of Tulsa patriotism from those who were convinced Tulsa\'s time had passed.\r\n\r\nSo, after a chat with friends over a few beers at <a href=\"http://www.mcnellies.com/\">McNellie\'s</a> (and, of course, one of their burgers and an order of their incomparable sweet potato fries), I decided to start a blog.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/04/tdt-friday-advice-column-19-ways-to-get.html\">In my introductory post I wrote about ways to get to get to know what was unique about Tulsa</a>. I was convinced (as I am still) that the main reason Tulsans complain that there\'s nothing exciting to do in Tulsa is because they\'re uninformed about what makes the city special, and they know little about its entertainment scene. Rather than post about all the things I knew to do in town, I wanted to start by writing how Tulsans could discover the city for themselves.\r\n\r\nI wrote off and on until my son came along in early 2008. Armed with yet another reason to explore and learn more about my city and what there was to do in Tulsa for families, I decided to take to blogging in earnest, both as a way to teach others about what makes Tulsa the best city around, to learn more about it myself and to earn some extra money for my family. Now I blog every day on Tulsa topics ranging from where to have fun with your kids to which restaurant serves the best chile relleno to what\'s going on around town this weekend.\r\n\r\nThis little blog has won some big awards, including <a href=\"http://www.thetulseys.com/\">a Tulsey</a>, <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Culture Blog</a> (for three years running) and <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Tulsa Blog in the Oklahoma Blog Awards</a>. I make regular appearances on <a href=\"http://www.krmg.com/krmgmorningnews\">the KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley</a> and <a href=\"http://www.fox23.com/\">Fox23 Daybreak</a>, and I contribute to <a href=\"http://www.okmag.com/\">Oklahoma Magazine</a>, <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/\">TulsaKids Magazine</a> and <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>.\r\n\r\nI do most of this work with a squirmy toddler in my lap, a Jack Russell terrier at my feet and a patient husband picking up my slack in the laundry and dishwashing departments as he helps me and encourages me to do Tulsa all the way. Best of all about blogging have been my readers, who\'ve pushed me and inspired me to create stories and articles and photos that inform, compel and show off Tulsa and the best it has in store for residents and visitors alike.\r\n\r\nJust as wonderful are my fellow Oklahoma bloggers, who fight the good fight of converting the complacent into advocates for our state and all that it has to offer.\r\n\r\nGot something to say?\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Want to learn more about ad rates?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Know about an event you think belongs on TashaDoesTulsa.com?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Think you could you use some advice on how to navigate the crazy world of social media?</div>\r\nE-mail me: <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">tasha@tashadoestulsa.com</a>\r\n\r\nWant to snail mail me?\r\nNatasha Ball\r\nBall Media, LLC\r\nP.O. Box 690981\r\nTulsa, OK 74169','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-6','','','2011-03-06 15:15:42','2011-03-06 21:15:42','',2,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/2-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6666,1,'2011-03-06 15:15:42','2011-03-06 21:15:42','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658  aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"450\" /></a></p>\r\nIn March 2007 I was working as a reporter for <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>, headquartered in the heart of downtown. Though I\'d lived in Tulsa my whole life, having a job in the center of the city helped me to fall in love with my hometown all over again. I was excited, and I wanted to shout about Tulsa from the rooftops.\r\n\r\nAs I was considering how to best do this, I couldn\'t help but remember some of the popular refrains I\'d heard from kids at school: \"There\'s nothing to do in Tulsa,\" \"Tulsa\'s boring,\" and then, of course, the classic, \"I can\'t wait to get the hell out of this town.\" Granted, all kids say things like this about their hometowns. They\'re disgruntled and disenchanted by nature. You know this, I know this, lots of money has been made in the music industry based on this, we all get it.\r\n\r\nBut, being a proud fifth-generation Tulsan, I just couldn\'t buy into what these kids were saying.\r\n\r\nPlus, since energy was gathering for downtown revitalization at the time, I was hearing lots of push-back against a the groundswell of Tulsa patriotism from those who were convinced Tulsa\'s time had passed.\r\n\r\nSo, after a chat with friends over a few beers at <a href=\"http://www.mcnellies.com/\">McNellie\'s</a> (and, of course, one of their burgers and an order of their incomparable sweet potato fries), I decided to start a blog.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/04/tdt-friday-advice-column-19-ways-to-get.html\">In my introductory post I wrote about ways to get to get to know what was unique about Tulsa</a>. I was convinced (as I am still) that the main reason Tulsans complain that there\'s nothing exciting to do in Tulsa is because they\'re uninformed about what makes the city special, and they know little about its entertainment scene. Rather than post about all the things I knew to do in town, I wanted to start by writing how Tulsans could discover the city for themselves.\r\n\r\nI wrote off and on until my son came along in early 2008. Armed with yet another reason to explore and learn more about my city and what there was to do in Tulsa for families, I decided to take to blogging in earnest, both as a way to teach others about what makes Tulsa the best city around, to learn more about it myself and to earn some extra money for my family. Now I blog every day on Tulsa topics ranging from where to have fun with your kids to which restaurant serves the best chile relleno to what\'s going on around town this weekend.\r\n\r\nThis little blog has won some big awards, including <a href=\"http://www.thetulseys.com/\">a Tulsey</a>, <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Culture Blog</a> (for three years running) and <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Tulsa Blog in the Oklahoma Blog Awards</a>. I make regular appearances on <a href=\"http://www.krmg.com/krmgmorningnews\">the KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley</a> and <a href=\"http://www.fox23.com/\">Fox23 Daybreak</a>, and I contribute to <a href=\"http://www.okmag.com/\">Oklahoma Magazine</a>, <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/\">TulsaKids Magazine</a> and <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>.\r\n\r\nI do most of this work with a squirmy toddler in my lap, a Jack Russell terrier at my feet and a patient husband picking up my slack in the laundry and dishwashing departments as he helps me and encourages me to do Tulsa all the way. Best of all about blogging have been my readers, who\'ve pushed me and inspired me to create stories and articles and photos that inform, compel and show off Tulsa and the best it has in store for residents and visitors alike.\r\n\r\nJust as wonderful are my fellow Oklahoma bloggers, who fight the good fight of converting the complacent into advocates for our state and all that it has to offer.\r\n\r\nGot something to say?\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Want to learn more about ad rates?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Know about an event you think belongs on TashaDoesTulsa.com?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Think you could you use some advice on how to navigate the crazy world of social media?</div>\r\nE-mail me: <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">tasha@tashadoestulsa.com</a>\r\n\r\nWant to snail mail me?\r\nNatasha Ball\r\nBall Media, LLC\r\nP.O. Box 690981\r\nTulsa, OK 74169','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-7','','','2011-03-06 15:15:42','2011-03-06 21:15:42','',2,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/2-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(6668,1,'2011-03-06 15:16:17','2011-03-06 21:16:17','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658  aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"450\" /></a></p>\r\nIn March 2007 I was working as a reporter for <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>, headquartered in the heart of downtown. Though I\'d lived in Tulsa my whole life, having a job in the center of the city helped me to fall in love with my hometown all over again. I was excited, and I wanted to shout about Tulsa from the rooftops.\r\n\r\nAs I was considering how to best do this, I couldn\'t help but remember some of the popular refrains I\'d heard from kids at school: \"There\'s nothing to do in Tulsa,\" \"Tulsa\'s boring,\" and then, of course, the classic, \"I can\'t wait to get the hell out of this town.\" Granted, all kids say things like this about their hometowns. They\'re disgruntled and disenchanted by nature. You know this, I know this, lots of money has been made in the music industry based on this, we all get it.\r\n\r\nBut, being a proud fifth-generation Tulsan, I just didn\'t buy it.\r\n\r\nPlus, since energy was gathering for downtown revitalization at the time, I was hearing lots of push-back against a the groundswell of Tulsa patriotism from those who were convinced Tulsa\'s time had passed.\r\n\r\nSo, after a chat with friends over a few beers at <a href=\"http://www.mcnellies.com/\">McNellie\'s</a> (and, of course, one of their burgers and an order of their incomparable sweet potato fries), I decided to start a blog.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/04/tdt-friday-advice-column-19-ways-to-get.html\">In my introductory post I wrote about ways to get to get to know what was unique about Tulsa</a>. I was convinced (as I am still) that the main reason Tulsans complain that there\'s nothing exciting to do in Tulsa is because they\'re uninformed about what makes the city special, and they know little about its entertainment scene. Rather than post about all the things I knew to do in town, I wanted to start by writing how Tulsans could discover the city for themselves.\r\n\r\nI wrote off and on until my son came along in early 2008. Armed with yet another reason to explore and learn more about my city and what there was to do in Tulsa for families, I decided to take to blogging in earnest, both as a way to teach others about what makes Tulsa the best city around, to learn more about it myself and to earn some extra money for my family. Now I blog every day on Tulsa topics ranging from where to have fun with your kids to which restaurant serves the best chile relleno to what\'s going on around town this weekend.\r\n\r\nThis little blog has won some big awards, including <a href=\"http://www.thetulseys.com/\">a Tulsey</a>, <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Culture Blog</a> (for three years running) and <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Tulsa Blog in the Oklahoma Blog Awards</a>. I make regular appearances on <a href=\"http://www.krmg.com/krmgmorningnews\">the KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley</a> and <a href=\"http://www.fox23.com/\">Fox23 Daybreak</a>, and I contribute to <a href=\"http://www.okmag.com/\">Oklahoma Magazine</a>, <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/\">TulsaKids Magazine</a> and <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>.\r\n\r\nI do most of this work with a squirmy toddler in my lap, a Jack Russell terrier at my feet and a patient husband picking up my slack in the laundry and dishwashing departments as he helps me and encourages me to do Tulsa all the way. Best of all about blogging have been my readers, who\'ve pushed me and inspired me to create stories and articles and photos that inform, compel and show off Tulsa and the best it has in store for residents and visitors alike.\r\n\r\nJust as wonderful are my fellow Oklahoma bloggers, who fight the good fight of converting the complacent into advocates for our state and all that it has to offer.\r\n\r\nGot something to say?\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Want to learn more about ad rates?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Know about an event you think belongs on TashaDoesTulsa.com?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Think you could you use some advice on how to navigate the crazy world of social media?</div>\r\nE-mail me: <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">tasha@tashadoestulsa.com</a>\r\n\r\nWant to snail mail me?\r\nNatasha Ball\r\nBall Media, LLC\r\nP.O. Box 690981\r\nTulsa, OK 74169','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-9','','','2011-03-06 15:16:17','2011-03-06 21:16:17','',2,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/2-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(6669,1,'2011-03-06 15:17:53','2011-03-06 21:17:53','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658  aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"450\" /></a></p>\r\nIn March 2007 I was working as a reporter for <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>, headquartered in the heart of downtown. Though I\'d lived in Tulsa my whole life, having a job in the center of the city helped me to fall in love with my hometown all over again. I was excited, and I wanted to shout about Tulsa from the rooftops.\r\n\r\nAs I was considering how to best do this, I couldn\'t help but remember some of the popular refrains I\'d heard from kids at school: \"There\'s nothing to do in Tulsa,\" \"Tulsa\'s boring,\" and then, of course, the classic, \"I can\'t wait to get the hell out of this town.\" Granted, all kids say things like this about their hometowns. They\'re disgruntled and disenchanted by nature. You know this, I know this, lots of money has been made in the music industry based on this, we all get it.\r\n\r\nBut, being a proud fifth-generation Tulsan, I just didn\'t buy it.\r\n\r\nPlus, since energy was gathering for downtown revitalization at the time, I was hearing lots of push-back against the groundswell of Tulsa pride that had developed from those who were convinced Tulsa\'s time had passed.\r\n\r\nSo, after a chat with friends over a few beers at <a href=\"http://www.mcnellies.com/\">McNellie\'s</a> (and, of course, one of their burgers and an order of their incomparable sweet potato fries), I decided to start a blog.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/04/tdt-friday-advice-column-19-ways-to-get.html\">In my introductory post I wrote about ways to get to get to know what was unique about Tulsa</a>. I was convinced (as I am still) that the main reason Tulsans complain that there\'s nothing exciting to do in Tulsa is because they\'re uninformed about what makes the city special, and they know little about its entertainment scene. Rather than post about all the things I knew to do in town, I wanted to start by writing how Tulsans could discover the city for themselves.\r\n\r\nI wrote off and on until my son came along in early 2008. Armed with yet another reason to explore and learn more about my city and what there was to do in Tulsa for families, I decided to take to blogging in earnest, both as a way to teach others about what makes Tulsa the best city around, to learn more about it myself and to earn some extra money for my family. Now I blog every day on Tulsa topics ranging from where to have fun with your kids to which restaurant serves the best chile relleno to what\'s going on around town this weekend.\r\n\r\nThis little blog has won some big awards, including <a href=\"http://www.thetulseys.com/\">a Tulsey</a>, <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Culture Blog</a> (for three years running) and <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Tulsa Blog in the Oklahoma Blog Awards</a>. I make regular appearances on <a href=\"http://www.krmg.com/krmgmorningnews\">the KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley</a> and <a href=\"http://www.fox23.com/\">Fox23 Daybreak</a>, and I contribute to <a href=\"http://www.okmag.com/\">Oklahoma Magazine</a>, <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/\">TulsaKids Magazine</a> and <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>.\r\n\r\nI do most of this work with a squirmy toddler in my lap, a Jack Russell terrier at my feet and a patient husband picking up my slack in the laundry and dishwashing departments as he helps me and encourages me to do Tulsa all the way. Best of all about blogging have been my readers, who\'ve pushed me and inspired me to create stories and articles and photos that inform, compel and show off Tulsa and the best it has in store for residents and visitors alike.\r\n\r\nJust as wonderful are my fellow Oklahoma bloggers, who fight the good fight of converting the complacent into advocates for our state and all that it has to offer.\r\n\r\nGot something to say?\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Want to learn more about ad rates?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Know about an event you think belongs on TashaDoesTulsa.com?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Think you could you use some advice on how to navigate the crazy world of social media?</div>\r\nE-mail me: <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">tasha@tashadoestulsa.com</a>\r\n\r\nWant to snail mail me?\r\nNatasha Ball\r\nBall Media, LLC\r\nP.O. Box 690981\r\nTulsa, OK 74169','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-10','','','2011-03-06 15:17:53','2011-03-06 21:17:53','',2,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/2-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(6670,1,'2011-03-06 15:17:53','2011-03-06 21:17:53','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658  aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"450\" /></a></p>\r\nIn March 2007 I was working as a reporter for <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>, headquartered in the heart of downtown. Though I\'d lived in Tulsa my whole life, having a job in the center of the city helped me to fall in love with my hometown all over again. I was excited, and I wanted to shout about Tulsa from the rooftops.\r\n\r\nAs I was considering how to best do this, I couldn\'t help but remember some of the popular refrains I\'d heard from kids at school: \"There\'s nothing to do in Tulsa,\" \"Tulsa\'s boring,\" and then, of course, the classic, \"I can\'t wait to get the hell out of this town.\" Granted, all kids say things like this about their hometowns. They\'re disgruntled and disenchanted by nature. You know this, I know this, lots of money has been made in the music industry based on this, we all get it.\r\n\r\nBut, being a proud fifth-generation Tulsan, I just didn\'t buy it.\r\n\r\nPlus, since energy was gathering for downtown revitalization at the time, I was hearing lots of push-back against the groundswell of Tulsa pride that had developed from those who were convinced Tulsa\'s time had passed.\r\n\r\nSo, after a chat with friends over a few beers at <a href=\"http://www.mcnellies.com/\">McNellie\'s</a> (and, of course, one of their burgers and an order of their incomparable sweet potato fries), I decided to start a blog.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/04/tdt-friday-advice-column-19-ways-to-get.html\">In my introductory post I wrote about ways to get to get to know what was unique about Tulsa</a>. I was convinced (as I am still) that the main reason Tulsans complain that there\'s nothing exciting to do in Tulsa is because they\'re uninformed about what makes the city special, and they know little about its entertainment scene. Rather than post about all the things I knew to do in town, I wanted to start by writing how Tulsans could discover the city for themselves.\r\n\r\nI wrote off and on until my son came along in early 2008. Armed with yet another reason to explore and learn more about my city and what there was to do in Tulsa for families, I decided to take to blogging in earnest, both as a way to teach others about what makes Tulsa the best city around, to learn more about it myself and to earn some extra money for my family. Now I blog every day on Tulsa topics ranging from where to have fun with your kids to which restaurant serves the best chile relleno to what\'s going on around town this weekend.\r\n\r\nThis little blog has won some big awards, including <a href=\"http://www.thetulseys.com/\">a Tulsey</a>, <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Culture Blog</a> (for three years running) and <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Tulsa Blog in the Oklahoma Blog Awards</a>. I make regular appearances on <a href=\"http://www.krmg.com/krmgmorningnews\">the KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley</a> and <a href=\"http://www.fox23.com/\">Fox23 Daybreak</a>, and I contribute to <a href=\"http://www.okmag.com/\">Oklahoma Magazine</a>, <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/\">TulsaKids Magazine</a> and <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>.\r\n\r\nI do most of this work with a squirmy toddler in my lap, a Jack Russell terrier at my feet and a patient husband picking up my slack in the laundry and dishwashing departments as he helps me and encourages me to do Tulsa all the way. Best of all about blogging have been my readers, who\'ve pushed me and inspired me to create stories and articles and photos that inform, compel and show off Tulsa and the best it has in store for residents and visitors alike.\r\n\r\nJust as wonderful are my fellow Oklahoma bloggers, who fight the good fight of converting the complacent into advocates for our state and all that it has to offer.\r\n\r\nGot something to say?\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Want to learn more about ad rates?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Know about an event you think belongs on TashaDoesTulsa.com?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Think you could you use some advice on how to navigate the crazy world of social media?</div>\r\nE-mail me: <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">tasha@tashadoestulsa.com</a>\r\n\r\nWant to snail mail me?\r\nNatasha Ball\r\nBall Media, LLC\r\nP.O. Box 690981\r\nTulsa, OK 74169','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-11','','','2011-03-06 15:17:53','2011-03-06 21:17:53','',2,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/2-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(6671,1,'2011-03-06 15:20:57','2011-03-06 21:20:57','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658  aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"450\" /></a></p>\r\nIn March 2007 I was working as a reporter for <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>, headquartered in the heart of downtown. Though I\'d lived in Tulsa my whole life, having a job in the center of the city helped me to fall in love with my hometown all over again. I was excited, and I wanted to shout about Tulsa from the rooftops.\r\n\r\nAs I was considering how to best do this, I couldn\'t help but remember some of the popular refrains I\'d heard from kids at school: \"There\'s nothing to do in Tulsa,\" \"Tulsa\'s boring,\" and then, of course, the classic, \"I can\'t wait to get the hell out of this town.\" Granted, all kids say things like this about their hometowns. They\'re disgruntled and disenchanted by nature. You know this, I know this, lots of money has been made in the music industry based on this, we all get it.\r\n\r\nBut, being a proud fifth-generation Tulsan, I just didn\'t buy it.\r\n\r\nPlus, since energy was gathering for downtown revitalization at the time, I was hearing lots of push-back against the groundswell of Tulsa pride that had developed from those who were convinced Tulsa\'s time had passed.\r\n\r\nSo, after a chat with friends over a few beers at <a href=\"http://www.mcnellies.com/\">McNellie\'s</a> (and, of course, one of their burgers and an order of their incomparable sweet potato fries), I decided to start a blog.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/04/tdt-friday-advice-column-19-ways-to-get.html\">In my introductory post I wrote about ways to get to get to know what was unique about Tulsa</a>. I was convinced (as I am still) that the main reason Tulsans complain that there\'s nothing exciting to do in Tulsa is because they\'re uninformed about what makes the city special, and they know little about its entertainment scene. Rather than post about all the things I knew to do in town, I wanted to start by writing how Tulsans could discover the city for themselves.\r\n\r\nI wrote off and on until my son came along in early 2008. Armed with yet another reason to explore and learn more about my city and what there was to do in Tulsa for families, I decided to take to blogging in earnest, both as a way to teach others about what makes Tulsa the best city around, to learn more about it myself and to earn some extra money for my family. Now I blog every day on Tulsa topics ranging from where to have fun with your kids to which restaurant serves the best chile relleno to what\'s going on around town this weekend.\r\n\r\nThis little blog has won some big awards, including <a href=\"http://www.thetulseys.com/\">a Tulsey</a>, <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Culture Blog</a> (for three years running) and <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Tulsa Blog in the Oklahoma Blog Awards</a>. I make regular appearances on <a href=\"http://www.krmg.com/krmgmorningnews\">the KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley</a> and <a href=\"http://www.fox23.com/\">Fox23 Daybreak</a>, and I contribute to <a href=\"http://www.okmag.com/\">Oklahoma Magazine</a>, <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/\">TulsaKids Magazine</a> and <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>. I teach blogging and social media classes at Tulsa Community College, too, and sometimes folks like to invite me to their various social functions to talk about the line of work in which I find myself and how it all continues to change the way the we communicate and experience the world around us.\r\n\r\nI do most of this work with a squirmy toddler in my lap, a Jack Russell terrier at my feet and a patient husband picking up my slack in the laundry and dishwashing departments as he helps me and encourages me to do Tulsa all the way. Best of all about blogging have been my readers, who\'ve pushed me and inspired me to create stories and articles and photos that inform, compel and show off Tulsa and the best it has in store for residents and visitors alike.\r\n\r\nJust as wonderful are my fellow Oklahoma bloggers, who fight the good fight of converting the complacent into advocates for our state and all that it has to offer.\r\n\r\nGot something to say?\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Want to learn more about ad rates?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Know about an event you think belongs on TashaDoesTulsa.com?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Think you could you use some advice on how to navigate the crazy world of social media?</div>\r\nE-mail me: <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">tasha@tashadoestulsa.com</a>\r\n\r\nWant to snail mail me?\r\nNatasha Ball\r\nBall Media, LLC\r\nP.O. Box 690981\r\nTulsa, OK 74169','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-12','','','2011-03-06 15:20:57','2011-03-06 21:20:57','',2,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/2-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(6672,1,'2011-03-06 15:20:57','2011-03-06 21:20:57','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658  aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"450\" /></a></p>\r\nIn March 2007 I was working as a reporter for <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>, headquartered in the heart of downtown. Though I\'d lived in Tulsa my whole life, having a job in the center of the city helped me to fall in love with my hometown all over again. I was excited, and I wanted to shout about Tulsa from the rooftops.\r\n\r\nAs I was considering how to best do this, I couldn\'t help but remember some of the popular refrains I\'d heard from kids at school: \"There\'s nothing to do in Tulsa,\" \"Tulsa\'s boring,\" and then, of course, the classic, \"I can\'t wait to get the hell out of this town.\" Granted, all kids say things like this about their hometowns. They\'re disgruntled and disenchanted by nature. You know this, I know this, lots of money has been made in the music industry based on this, we all get it.\r\n\r\nBut, being a proud fifth-generation Tulsan, I just didn\'t buy it.\r\n\r\nPlus, since energy was gathering for downtown revitalization at the time, I was hearing lots of push-back against the groundswell of Tulsa pride that had developed from those who were convinced Tulsa\'s time had passed.\r\n\r\nSo, after a chat with friends over a few beers at <a href=\"http://www.mcnellies.com/\">McNellie\'s</a> (and, of course, one of their burgers and an order of their incomparable sweet potato fries), I decided to start a blog.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/04/tdt-friday-advice-column-19-ways-to-get.html\">In my introductory post I wrote about ways to get to get to know what was unique about Tulsa</a>. I was convinced (as I am still) that the main reason Tulsans complain that there\'s nothing exciting to do in Tulsa is because they\'re uninformed about what makes the city special, and they know little about its entertainment scene. Rather than post about all the things I knew to do in town, I wanted to start by writing how Tulsans could discover the city for themselves.\r\n\r\nI wrote off and on until my son came along in early 2008. Armed with yet another reason to explore and learn more about my city and what there was to do in Tulsa for families, I decided to take to blogging in earnest, both as a way to teach others about what makes Tulsa the best city around, to learn more about it myself and to earn some extra money for my family. Now I blog every day on Tulsa topics ranging from where to have fun with your kids to which restaurant serves the best chile relleno to what\'s going on around town this weekend.\r\n\r\nThis little blog has won some big awards, including <a href=\"http://www.thetulseys.com/\">a Tulsey</a>, <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Culture Blog</a> (for three years running) and <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Tulsa Blog in the Oklahoma Blog Awards</a>. I make regular appearances on <a href=\"http://www.krmg.com/krmgmorningnews\">the KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley</a> and <a href=\"http://www.fox23.com/\">Fox23 Daybreak</a>, and I contribute to <a href=\"http://www.okmag.com/\">Oklahoma Magazine</a>, <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/\">TulsaKids Magazine</a> and <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>. I teach blogging and social media classes at Tulsa Community College, too, and sometimes folks like to invite me to their various social functions to talk about the line of work in which I find myself and how it all continues to change the way the we communicate and experience the world around us.\r\n\r\nI do most of this work with a squirmy toddler in my lap, a Jack Russell terrier at my feet and a patient husband picking up my slack in the laundry and dishwashing departments as he helps me and encourages me to do Tulsa all the way. Best of all about blogging have been my readers, who\'ve pushed me and inspired me to create stories and articles and photos that inform, compel and show off Tulsa and the best it has in store for residents and visitors alike.\r\n\r\nJust as wonderful are my fellow Oklahoma bloggers, who fight the good fight of converting the complacent into advocates for our state and all that it has to offer.\r\n\r\nGot something to say?\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Want to learn more about ad rates?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Know about an event you think belongs on TashaDoesTulsa.com?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Think you could you use some advice on how to navigate the crazy world of social media?</div>\r\nE-mail me: <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">tasha@tashadoestulsa.com</a>\r\n\r\nWant to snail mail me?\r\nNatasha Ball\r\nBall Media, LLC\r\nP.O. Box 690981\r\nTulsa, OK 74169','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-13','','','2011-03-06 15:20:57','2011-03-06 21:20:57','',2,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/2-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(6673,1,'2011-03-06 15:21:47','2011-03-06 21:21:47','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658  aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"450\" /></a></p>\r\nIn March 2007 I was working as a reporter for <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>, headquartered in the heart of downtown. Though I\'d lived in Tulsa my whole life, having a job in the center of the city helped me to fall in love with my hometown all over again. I was excited, and I wanted to shout about Tulsa from the rooftops.\r\n\r\nAs I was considering how to best do this, I couldn\'t help but remember some of the popular refrains I\'d heard from kids at school: \"There\'s nothing to do in Tulsa,\" \"Tulsa\'s boring,\" and then, of course, the classic, \"I can\'t wait to get the hell out of this town.\" Granted, all kids say things like this about their hometowns. They\'re disgruntled and disenchanted by nature. You know this, I know this, lots of money has been made in the music industry based on this, we all get it.\r\n\r\nBut, being a proud fifth-generation Tulsan, I just didn\'t buy it.\r\n\r\nPlus, since energy was gathering for downtown revitalization at the time, I was hearing lots of push-back against the groundswell of Tulsa pride that had developed from those who were convinced Tulsa\'s time had passed.\r\n\r\nSo, after a chat with friends over a few beers at <a href=\"http://www.mcnellies.com/\">McNellie\'s</a> (and, of course, one of their burgers and an order of their incomparable sweet potato fries), I decided to start a blog.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/04/tdt-friday-advice-column-19-ways-to-get.html\">In my introductory post I wrote about ways to get to get to know what was unique about Tulsa</a>. I was convinced (as I am still) that the main reason Tulsans complain that there\'s nothing exciting to do in Tulsa is because they\'re uninformed about what makes the city special, and they know little about its entertainment scene. Rather than post about all the things I knew to do in town, I wanted to start by writing how Tulsans could discover the city for themselves.\r\n\r\nI wrote off and on until my son came along in early 2008. Armed with yet another reason to explore and learn more about my city and what there was to do in Tulsa for families, I decided to take to blogging in earnest, both as a way to teach others about what makes Tulsa the best city around, to learn more about it myself and to earn some extra money for my family. Now I blog every day on Tulsa topics ranging from where to have fun with your kids to which restaurant serves the best chile relleno to what\'s going on around town this weekend.\r\n\r\nThis little blog has won some big awards, including <a href=\"http://www.thetulseys.com/\">a Tulsey</a>, <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Culture Blog</a> (for three years running) and <a href=\"http://www.oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/\">Best Tulsa Blog in the Oklahoma Blog Awards</a>. I make regular appearances on <a href=\"http://www.krmg.com/krmgmorningnews\">the KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley</a> and <a href=\"http://www.fox23.com/\">Fox23 Daybreak</a>, and I contribute to <a href=\"http://www.okmag.com/\">Oklahoma Magazine</a>, <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/\">TulsaKids Magazine</a> and <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a>. I teach blogging and social media classes at <a href=\"http://www.tulsacc.edu/\">Tulsa Community College</a>, too, and sometimes folks like to invite me to their various social functions to talk about the line of work in which I find myself and how it all continues to change the way the we communicate and experience the world around us.\r\n\r\nI do most of this work with a squirmy toddler in my lap, a Jack Russell terrier at my feet and a patient husband picking up my slack in the laundry and dishwashing departments as he helps me and encourages me to do Tulsa all the way. Best of all about blogging have been my readers, who\'ve pushed me and inspired me to create stories and articles and photos that inform, compel and show off Tulsa and the best it has in store for residents and visitors alike.\r\n\r\nJust as wonderful are my fellow Oklahoma bloggers, who fight the good fight of converting the complacent into advocates for our state and all that it has to offer.\r\n\r\nGot something to say?\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Want to learn more about ad rates?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Know about an event you think belongs on TashaDoesTulsa.com?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Think you could you use some advice on how to navigate the crazy world of social media?</div>\r\nE-mail me: <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">tasha@tashadoestulsa.com</a>\r\n\r\nWant to snail mail me?\r\nNatasha Ball\r\nBall Media, LLC\r\nP.O. Box 690981\r\nTulsa, OK 74169','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-14','','','2011-03-06 15:21:47','2011-03-06 21:21:47','',2,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/2-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(7576,1,'2011-04-11 14:51:48','2011-04-11 20:51:48','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-1952\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=1952\"><strong>They provide basic amenities.</strong>\r\n<img title=\"Pedestrian Bridge at River Parks Tulsa Oklahoma\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC06456-500x666.jpg\" alt=\"Pedestrian Bridge at River Parks Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"400\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWho is Tulsa? If Tulsa was a person, how would you describe him or her? Musical? Artsy? Sporty? Foodie? Something else?\r\n\r\nThat\'s the question Blake Ewing, the owner of several downtown businesses, has been exploring over the course of a few posts at his blog, <a href=\"http://www.blakeewing.com/\">BlakeEwing.com</a>.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nBlake\'s posts - or essays, rather - have gone viral, at least on the local Web, landing on at least <a href=\"http://www.batesline.com/archives/2011/04/added-to-the-blogroll.html\">two popular Tulsa blogs</a> (and <a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/\">here</a>) and on the feeds of several influential local Twitter users.\r\n\r\n<h3>What\'s In The Blake Ewing Posts</h3>\r\n\r\nProbably the most circulated post thus far would be <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?, a post from early February calling for stronger, more cooperative leadership in our city government</a>:\r\n<blockquote>I can’t help but be frustrated. I feel like most of the work I do is somehow related to the betterment of our fine city, so it’s tough to want so badly for our elected officials to provide a strong foundation for us and to feel like there’s no new hope for that. I feel like our people want to be inspired. They want a vision for a better Tulsa. They want to believe that we can do what so many cities have done in recent years. We can reinvent ourselves. We can enhance our existing attributes, mitigate our weakness, and create new attractions and amenities for Tulsa and its visitors to enjoy. The public is looking for leadership and they are not finding it.\r\n\r\nInstead, it seems, we are forced to deal with nagging political roadblock and short-sighted politicians who can’t seem to figure out that what they’re doing now is not what’s best for Tulsa....\r\n\r\n...I will continue to believe in a better city and I will continue to hope that our city leaders will rise to lead us. I keep feeling that there’s this whole other side to the job that has to do with people. It’s emotional. It’s relational. The job is so much more than just making policy and taking care of business. They clearly know this. It must be the reason for the long winded speeches directed at the TGOV cameras. They’re trying to communicate with us. They’re just doing it all wrong. Those speeches in council meetings are worthless. They don’t count. They don’t inspire. They frustrate.</blockquote>\r\nHe continues with the same theme in his next post, dated about a month later:\r\n<blockquote>I’m absolutely in love with [Tulsa\'s] potential. It’s painful to feel like I can close my eyes and see the Tulsa we should be, but we lack the infrastructure, vision, or synergy to get us there.\r\n\r\nI’m not blaming our city’s leaders for the way things are. If we’re not happy, it’s because we’ve let it be this way. If you are happy with things, I’d ask you to look at the city as a whole. Are we achieving our potential? Is the lifestyle you’re enjoying going to be sustained or will the shortcomings in other parts of the city eventually infringe on the things you currently appreciate and enjoy. While our neighboring cities were growing, developing, and improving, we were slow to the party...Tulsans have struggled to see the big picture and therefore have done the very human thing of asking, “what’s in it for me?”\r\n\r\n...if you’re completely happy with the way things are, that doesn’t exempt you. In order to get to keep what you have, you’re going to have to act. The city is changing and your lifestyle, be it a suburban or an urban one, is going to be threatened. It’s time to think past the end of the driveway for a minute. The city in which we’ve chosen to live, and in which we want our children to want to live, needs our help.</blockquote>\r\nThe latest installation is a post called <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/grow-up-tulsa-grow-up-tulsa/\">Grow Up, Tulsa. Grow Up Tulsa</a>, focused on the first steps of a process Blake calls, \"making Tulsa a grown-up city.\" He begins by suggesting that Tulsa should compare itself to other cities and use their examples to reverse engineer where Tulsa would like to be. He writes that grown-up cities:\r\n\r\nTake advantage of their resources and promote their assets;\r\nThey attract and retain creative people;\r\nThey provide basic amenities; \r\nTheir local government provides sound infrastructure and supports development;\r\nThey have a vibrant urban core;\r\nThey celebrate small local business.\r\n\r\nHere\'s where he\'s left things for now: \r\n\r\n<blockquote>A defined set of goals and values for our city would help those types of things to be more frequent. If we could get all of the major parties with a stake or a say-so (city council, mayor, TMAPC, INCOG, chambers of commerce, school boards, neighborhood associations, state reps and senators, US reps and senators, and entrepreneurs and developers) to push everything through the same set of filters, I think we’d see marked improvement as a city in a hurry. If at every level we had to ask the question “Is this what a grown-up city would do?” we might start seeing a different type of behavior across the board. I know it’s a little cheesy, but it’s the principle that’s important. I’m trying to communicate that we really can stop wasting time with silly bickering and minute policy making and start getting to work growing up.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nBlake\'s blogging has generated a variety of responses, some in the form of new groups looking to better champion Tulsa as well as requests that he run in the next mayoral election.\r\n\r\nEven if you differ with Blake on the particulars, what he has to say is worth our time, thoughts and conversation. \r\n\r\n<h3>So, Let The Conversation Begin</h3>\r\n\r\nI agree that there\'s value in well-defined common goals, comparing Tulsa to other cities and envisioning from such a comparison what our city could be. \r\n\r\nWhat I think is more important, though, is first living fully into our city as it presently exists and what it has to offer today, right now.\r\n\r\nThat means checking out local parks, attractions and events rather than parking ourselves and our families on the couch in front of the TV night after night, or refusing to enjoy what Tulsa has to offer until we get an IKEA, a major theme park or other such development. It\'s choosing local businesses over chains and big-box outlets whenever possible. It\'s hosting block parties in our neighborhoods when it would be easier to keep to ourselves.\r\n\r\nI think that\'s where our identity comes from, and I think it\'s why so many of us sense such malaise in the momentum of the progression of our city. Urban sprawl and all that goes along with it has been the slippery slope on which Tulsa and many other mid-sized cities across the country have found themselves since the American dream of homeownership and the white picket fence life went on deep discount here in the states after World War II. \r\n\r\nCities are like people in that each has its own personality, but also like people, we can\'t assign traits and attributes to them like we can storage boxes with a label maker. Great cities grow into their identities as a function of culture, history and place, and when it\'s a great thing, it\'s an organic process. It doesn\'t come from a marketing campaign or an elite, exclusive group of citizens with big plans and deep pockets. It truly is a community endeavor, and while it\'s bound to be fragmented and messy and disobedient to timelines and mission statements, it begins with our kids, our neighborhoods and how we vote by how we spend our dollars.\r\n\r\nPeople aren\'t kidding when they say Tulsa is a great place to raise a family and that it\'s a top choice for retiring, relocating baby boomers. But how many of those cities can also claim to also be the birthplace of Route 66? Or home to dozens upon dozens of Native American cultures, one of the most diverse sets of tribes in the country? Or the home of one of the largest collections of art deco architecture in the world? Or a place where world-class museums, ballet, opera and theatre companies can pack entertainment venues just up the street from bursting-at-the-seams guns and arms shows, rodeos and state fairs?\r\n\r\nLet\'s choose to own these things. Let\'s learn about and experience it all. Then, let\'s teach our children about it, work to instill in them a sense of pride in their histories and in their community. Let\'s start telling our stories. If we\'re convinced we don\'t have any, then let\'s get to work on writing some.\r\n\r\nTo refuse the richness that a sense of place can imbue in our lives and in the lives of our families is a two-fold death. It creates in the citizenry a numbness which can tolerate only convenience, routine and sameness, each of which has effects of its own on the world around us and on the human spirit. It also silences the identity of a place. If we refuse to learn about the history of where we plant our feet, our kids and our homes and build on that in our own ways and with our own stories, any piece of rock on which we settle is just like any other piece of rock. It becomes nowhere. A no-place.\r\n\r\nThat\'s where I think Tulsa\'s chance to sparkle lies, in investing in the city as it exists now with our time, experiences and, yeah, our resources - essentially, by creating and sharing our stories with one another and with everyone we meet when we\'re not at home. That\'s where the cool factor is gonna start. That\'s where things like river development by Tulsa\'s own businesses, drop-ins by the major, sought-after entertainment, a tourist-worthy arts and music scene and a bustling downtown start. Who we are has to actually match what we want others to know about us, and any common goals or directives have to be set forth from there. \r\n\r\n<h3>What Say You?</h3>\r\n\r\nBlake set forth his vision for the city. I used this blog post to do the same. But what do you think? Who/what do you think Tulsa is? How does that compare with what you\'d like to see Tulsa become over the course of the next generation or two? How do we get there? What are you willing to do as a Tulsan to both write and tell the city\'s story? ','Who Is Tulsa?','What are you willing to do as a Tulsan to both write and tell the city\'s story? ','inherit','open','open','','7570-revision-6','','','2011-04-11 14:51:48','2011-04-11 20:51:48','',7570,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/04/7570-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(7488,1,'2011-04-07 07:07:28','2011-04-07 13:07:28','','Tulsa Drillers Opening Night Tulsa Oklahoma','','inherit','open','open','','tulsadrillersopeningnight','','','2011-04-07 07:07:28','2011-04-07 13:07:28','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/tulsadrillersopeningnight.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(8674,1,'2011-06-30 21:01:18','2011-07-01 03:01:18','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-8667\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=8667\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8667\" title=\"Memorial Park Cemetery Tulsa Oklahoma\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/DSC_1644.jpg\" alt=\"Memorial Park Cemetery Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"425\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nYou\'ve got a three-day weekend to fill up with Fourth of July fun. Get a complete list of the Fourthy happenings and fireworks shows in the Tulsa area, including the shindigs in Jenks, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Bartlesville, Sapulpa and Sand Springs, right here.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<h3>Fireworks Shows and Fourth of July Festivals</h3>\r\n<strong>Red, White and Boom </strong>\r\nWhen: Friday, 7pm\r\nWhere: Owasso Towne Center, 86th Street North and N. 129th E. Avenue\r\nLook for music from local groups as well as DJs for this fireworks show in Owasso tonight. The sky lights up at dusk.\r\n\r\n<strong>Claremore’s Fireworks Spectacular</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, 6pm\r\nWhere: Claremore Lake Park\r\nGet entertainment for both young and old at this Independence Day festival and fireworks show. The fireworks start at 9:30pm. Free admission. Parking at the rodeo grounds only (handicap parking is available at the park).\r\n\r\n<strong>Grand Lake Fireworks</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, 9:30pm\r\nWhere: Grand Lake\r\nCatch this huge fireworks show between the spillways just East of Disney on Saturday Night at dark. Watch by boat or by land at Cherokee State Park or anywhere along the shore along in the South Grand Lake area.\r\n\r\n<strong>Sooner Boomerfest 2011 </strong>\r\nWhen: Sunday, starting at 10am\r\nWhere: Jenks Pedestrian Bridge\r\nThe Fourth-of-July fun gets started bright and early – a day early, in fact – with Sooner Boomerfest 2011. It starts at 10am with a Mustang car show, fun for the kids outside Los Cabos at Riverwalk Crossing and Waterfront Grill from starting at 5pm and flyovers by the Tulsa Warbirds. The big fireworks show will launch over the river at 9:30pm. Tune in to the accompanying music at 94.1FM. Click here for a traffic and parking advisory map.\r\n\r\n<strong>Duck Creek Fireworks</strong>\r\nWhen: Sunday, 4pm\r\nWhere: Grand Lake\r\nGet a fireworks spectacular along with music, dancing and boats parading up and down Duck Creek on Grand Lake. Look also for performances by vintage airplanes and the Oklahoma Air National Guard’s F-16 fighters. Admission is free and open to the public.\r\n\r\n<strong>Rockets Over Rhema </strong>\r\nWhen: Sunday, 5pm\r\nWhere: Rhema Bible Church, 1025 W Kenosha Street in Broken Arrow\r\nCan’t decide which fireworks show to see this year? It’s hard to argue with 50,000 fans – that’s how many showed up to this event last year. It starts at 5pm with a patriotic tribute in the auditorium. At 6pm there will be plenty for the kids (and the young at heart) to do outside, from face painting to a mechanical bull and rock-climbing wall. Keep an eye out for a classic car show, food and drink concessions, local shopping and an outdoor concert featuring Hawk Nelson, Fireflight, Stars Go Dim (Tulsa’s own!) and AXIS Worship Band. The fireworks show starts at 10pm – be sure to bring your blankets and lawn chairs so you can sit back and celebrate our country’s independence with some spectacularly choreographed explosions. Click here for even more info.\r\n\r\n<strong>Freedom Festival at Grace Church</strong>\r\nWhen: Sunday, 6pm\r\nWhere: Grace Church, Between 91st and 101st Streets\r\nGet a car and motorcycle show, plus fireworks at dusk at Grace Church’s celebration of American independence.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fish and Fireworks </strong>\r\nWhen: Sunday, 6:30pm\r\nWhere: Oklahoma Aquarium, 300 Aquarium Drive.\r\nThe fireworks show in Jenks hosted by Los Cabos and Waterfront Grill is this evening (yes, this evening, not tomorrow), and the Aquarium will re-open at 6:30 with special half-price admission to the exhibits and access to their back grounds for prime viewing of the fireworks. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. No coolers allowed, but the Aquarium restaurant will remain open.\r\n\r\n<strong>Sertoma Club’s 14th Annual Community Fireworks Show </strong>\r\nWhen: Sunday, 8pm\r\nWhere: River City Park in Sand Springs\r\nGet live music, food and, of course, fireworks at River City Park in Sand Springs tonight. The shuttles start running at 7pm, music starts at 8pm, the show starts at dusk.\r\n\r\n<strong>ONEOK FreedomFest</strong>\r\nWhen: Monday, starting at noon\r\nWhere: Three venues! River West Festival Park; Veterans Park; and Blue Rose Cafe/Elwood\'s\r\nONEOK FreedomFest is one of Oklahoma’s largest Fourth-of-July fireworks displays: It lights up the sky above the downtown Tulsa stretch of the Arkansas River every year and brings lots of family-friendly activities along with it. Look for everything from a kids’ bicycle parade to rock climbing at this triple-venue festival: River West Festival Park, Veterans Park and Blue Rose Cafe/Elwoods. The fun starts at River West Festival Park at 5pm with a load of kid-friendly activities; live music from Janet Rutland and Trailer Town starts at 6:45pm. At Veterans Park will be an old-fashioned family picnic starting at noon; the decorate-your-own kids’ bike parade at 7pm. The fireworks will start at 9:35pm. Click here for a complete list of activities and tips on where to park.\r\n\r\n<strong>Freedom Fest </strong>\r\nWhen: Monday, 6pm\r\nWhere: Downtown Bartlesville, Second Street, between Keeler and Dewey\r\nFood, drinks, activities for the kids, games, a kids’ parade, music and fireworks – sounds like a solid Fourth-of-July celebration to me. Get details on the event schedule and where to park here.\r\n\r\n<strong>American Celebrates America </strong>\r\nWhen: Monday, 7pm\r\nWhere: Sapulpa Municipal Golf Course\r\nFind a parking spot in the parking lot of the Sapulpa Wal-Mart and enjoy entertainment for the kids and a choreographed fireworks show over the Sapulpa Municipal Golf Course, as well as from the fields east of and behind the store. The fireworks will begin at about 9:45pm. Learn even more here.\r\n\r\n<strong>Independence Day Fireworks at ONEOK Field</strong>\r\nWhen: Monday, 7:05pm\r\nCatch a Fourth-of-July fireworks show after the Drillers game tonight at ONEOK Field. Don’t forget to bring a cash donation for the Food for Kids program.\r\n<h3>More Fourth of July Stuff</h3>\r\n<strong>Red, White, Black &amp; Blue: Rumble on the River IV</strong>\r\nWhen: Friday, 7pm\r\nWhere: River Spirit Casino Event Center, 81st Street and Riverside Drive\r\nThe latest iteration of this series of riverside smackdowns features several popular local fighters, two defending Rumble On the River champions, a women’s title match and the return of undefeated heavyweight champion Myron “The Future” Dennis. Headlining the card is a heavyweight title fight between reigning XFL champion Myron “The Future” Dennis, and UFC veteran Ryan “The Animal” Lopez. <a href=\"herhttp://www.creeknationcasino.com/entertainment/eventcenter/Pages/Jul1.aspx\">Get even more details here</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fourth on the Third </strong>\r\nWhen: Sunday, 7:30pm\r\nWhere: TCC Van Trease PACE, 81st Street and US 169\r\nIn 1981 Tulsa Parks asked the Signature Symphony to create a special patriotic presentation at Mohawk Park for Tulsans. Two years later the celebration was moved to Boulder Park, where it has been for more than 20 years. When the Signature Symphony moved to the VanTrease PACE, the night-before rehearsal was open to the public. This began the tradition of having the concert on July 3. This year’s concert will feature stories and music from the Civil War, as well as a special tribute by violinist Jeff Smith to this highly decorated WWII hero: His dad. For tickets, call (918) 595-7777.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fourth of July Parade </strong>\r\nWhen: Monday, 10am\r\nWhere: Kendall-Whittier Neighborhood, starting at E. Fifth Place\r\nWatch this Fourth of July parade as it travels from its starting line at E. 5th Place, turns north on Atlanta Avenue and East on E. Fourth Street. Bring the kids!\r\n\r\n<strong>Celebration of Liberty with Modern Tulsa</strong>\r\nWhen: Monday, 7pm\r\nWhere: Liberty Tower Condominiums, 15th and Boulder\r\nTake advantage of the incredible views from the penthouse of the Liberty Tower Condominiums during the Tulsa FreedomFest fireworks and show your support for Modern Tulsa at the same time. This urban treehouse is currently undergoing renovations, so attendees will be treated to a first-hand preview of this exclusive space in the Tulsa skyline. Look also for BBQ, beer, doorprizes and an overview of some of the modern buildings visible from the balcony of the penthouse. Food and beverages will be provided, but all will need to bring chairs. Parking is available in lots adjacent to the building. Tickets are $25 for Modern Tulsa and Tulsa Foundation for Architecture members, $60 + the cost of a membership for not-yet-members.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/A1359.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n<em>\"4th of July parade in Tulsa, Indian Territory, in 1886. The ox cart is driven by the Wimberly family.\"</em>\r\n\r\nSo...what are YOU doing this Fourth of July?\r\n\r\n<em>Bottom photo credit: Beryl Ford Collection/Rotary Club of Tulsa, Tulsa City-County Library and Tulsa Historical Society.</em>','4th of July 2011 Events in Tulsa','Get a complete list of the Fourth of July happenings and fireworks shows in the Tulsa area: Jenks, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Bartlesville, Sapulpa, Sand Springs and more.','inherit','open','open','','8659-revision-5','','','2011-06-30 21:01:18','2011-07-01 03:01:18','',8659,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/06/8659-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(8151,1,'2011-05-17 09:10:06','2011-05-17 15:10:06','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/05/things-to-do-in-tulsa-today-17/img_1003/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8147\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_1003-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"The Triangle downtown Sand Springs Oklahoma\" title=\"The Triangle downtown Sand Springs Oklahoma\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-8147\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLooking for ways to stay busy in Tulsa today? Check out the list of local events and activities and parties below.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n[gigpress_shows scope=today group_artists=no]\r\n\r\nDon\'t see your favorite event on today\'s listing? We can fix that. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">Shoot me an e-mail</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t miss a single update on Tulsa\'s top events.</strong> Sign up for <a href=\"http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=TashaDoesTulsa&amp;loc=en_US\">the TDT daily e-mail</a> or <a href=\"feed://feeds.feedburner.com/TashaDoesTulsa\">subscribe</a>.\r\n\r\nPhoto shot at <a href=\"http://www.tulsalibrary.org/\">Central Library</a>.','Things To Do In Tulsa Today','','inherit','open','open','','7294-revision-70','','','2011-05-17 09:10:06','2011-05-17 15:10:06','',7294,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/05/7294-revision-70/',0,'revision','',0),(8109,1,'2011-05-12 08:29:32','2011-05-12 14:29:32','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/pioneer-woman-mardi-gras-and-general-liveliness-tonight-its-all-about-downtown/dsc_2020/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4921\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DSC_2020.jpg\" alt=\"Atlas Life Building Downtown Tulsa\" title=\"Atlas Life Building Downtown Tulsa\" width=\"400\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4921\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\nLooking for ways to stay busy in Tulsa today? Check out the list of local events and activities and parties below.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n[gigpress_shows scope=today group_artists=no]\r\n\r\nDon\'t see your favorite event on today\'s listing? We can fix that. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">Shoot me an e-mail</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t miss a single update on Tulsa\'s top events.</strong> Sign up for <a href=\"http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=TashaDoesTulsa&amp;loc=en_US\">the TDT daily e-mail</a> or <a href=\"feed://feeds.feedburner.com/TashaDoesTulsa\">subscribe</a>.\r\n\r\nPhoto shot at <a href=\"http://www.tulsalibrary.org/\">Central Library</a>.','Things To Do In Tulsa Today','','inherit','open','open','','7294-revision-68','','','2011-05-12 08:29:32','2011-05-12 14:29:32','',7294,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/05/7294-revision-68/',0,'revision','',0),(8489,1,'2011-06-16 12:37:45','2011-06-16 18:37:45','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6873\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6873\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/320BostonDowntown.jpg\" alt=\"320 S. Boston Building Downtown Tulsa\" title=\"320 S. Boston Building Downtown Tulsa\" width=\"417\" height=\"557\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6873\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLooking for ways to stay busy in Tulsa today? Check out the list of local events and activities and parties below.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n[gigpress_shows scope=today group_artists=no]\r\n\r\nDon\'t see your favorite event on today\'s listing? We can fix that. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">Shoot me an e-mail</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t miss a single update on Tulsa\'s top events.</strong> Sign up for <a href=\"http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=TashaDoesTulsa&amp;loc=en_US\">the TDT daily e-mail</a> or <a href=\"feed://feeds.feedburner.com/TashaDoesTulsa\">subscribe</a>.','Things To Do In Tulsa Today','','inherit','open','open','','7294-revision-104','','','2011-06-16 12:37:45','2011-06-16 18:37:45','',7294,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/06/7294-revision-104/',0,'revision','',0),(8483,1,'2011-06-15 07:04:05','2011-06-15 13:04:05','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/anns-bakery-barbie-dress-cake/dsc_1666/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-2787\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_1666-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Ann&#039;s Bakery Kendall Whittier Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"Ann&#039;s Bakery Kendall Whittier Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2787\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLooking for ways to stay busy in Tulsa today? Check out the list of local events and activities and parties below.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n[gigpress_shows scope=today group_artists=no]\r\n\r\nDon\'t see your favorite event on today\'s listing? We can fix that. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">Shoot me an e-mail</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t miss a single update on Tulsa\'s top events.</strong> Sign up for <a href=\"http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=TashaDoesTulsa&amp;loc=en_US\">the TDT daily e-mail</a> or <a href=\"feed://feeds.feedburner.com/TashaDoesTulsa\">subscribe</a>.','Things To Do In Tulsa Today','','inherit','open','open','','7294-revision-102','','','2011-06-15 07:04:05','2011-06-15 13:04:05','',7294,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/06/7294-revision-102/',0,'revision','',0),(8964,1,'2011-07-13 09:39:31','2011-07-13 15:39:31','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/07/things-to-do-in-tulsa-today-13-2/picture-5-14/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8943\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Picture-5-500x326.png\" alt=\"Wikipedia Sky Lanterns\" title=\"Wikipedia Sky Lanterns\" width=\"500\" height=\"326\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-8943\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLooking for ways to stay busy in Tulsa today? Check out the list of local events and activities and parties below.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n[gigpress_shows scope=today group_artists=no]\r\n\r\nDon\'t see your favorite event on today\'s listing? We can fix that. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">Shoot me an e-mail</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t miss a single update on Tulsa\'s top events.</strong> Sign up for <a href=\"http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=TashaDoesTulsa&amp;loc=en_US\">the TDT daily e-mail</a> or <a href=\"feed://feeds.feedburner.com/TashaDoesTulsa\">subscribe</a>.','Things To Do In Tulsa Today','','inherit','open','open','','7294-revision-133','','','2011-07-13 09:39:31','2011-07-13 15:39:31','',7294,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/07/7294-revision-133/',0,'revision','',0),(6684,1,'2011-03-07 15:00:41','2011-03-07 21:00:41','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658 aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"400\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\nDid you know that <a href=\"http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/10/17/top-100-blogs-have-an-average-age-of-338-months/\">the average lifespan of a Top 100 Technorati blog is 33.8 months</a>? And that some put <a href=\"http://trafficcpanel.com/tag/average-life-span/\">the life expectancy of the average blog at much less (3 months)</a>? That\'s why I\'m so proud to be able to say that, as of yesterday, this blog has been going strong for four whole years.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\nLots of folks asked questions over the weekend about how TDT got started and how it got to be the blog that it is today. The best answer is on <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about\">the About page here on the site</a> - feel free to check it out.\r\n\r\nI also want to say thanks to the many readers who stopped by on Facebook on Sunday to wish the site a happy anniversary. Blogging wouldn\'t be any fun without you. In fact, it\'d basically be me talking to myself on the Internet. Not that there\'s anything wrong with that, but you catch my drift.\r\n\r\nEach of you is like <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-Guys-Burger-Bar/107269035966212\">a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger</a> to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading.','The TDT Story, Four Years Long','Each of you is like a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading. ','publish','open','open','','the-tdt-story-four-years-long','','','2011-03-07 19:55:52','2011-03-08 01:55:52','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=6684',0,'post','',2),(6685,1,'2011-03-07 11:53:20','2011-03-07 17:53:20','Did you know that <a href=\"http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/10/17/top-100-blogs-have-an-average-age-of-338-months/\">the average lifespan of a Top 100 Technorati blog is 33.8 months</a>? And that some put <a href=\"http://trafficcpanel.com/tag/average-life-span/\">the life expectancy of the average blog at much less (3 months)</a>? That\'s why I\'m so proud to be able to say that, as of yesterday,  this blog has been going','','','inherit','open','open','','6684-revision','','','2011-03-07 11:53:20','2011-03-07 17:53:20','',6684,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6684-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6686,1,'2011-03-07 14:42:22','0000-00-00 00:00:00','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6687\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6687\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cityhall.jpg\" alt=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6687\" /></a>\r\n\r\nToday <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsablog/posts/10150193672653508\">I asked the TDT community on Facebook what they would give to Tulsa if they could only give it one thing</a> (be sure to head to the TDT page and add your two cents). \r\n\r\nA recurring answer has been something to the effect of better city leadership. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\nAn increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/BrucePlante.aspx?subjectid=63&articleid=20110302_63_A12_tworld743113\">has reached the level of spectacle</a> (and <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20110304_11_A1_CUTLIN259622\">here</a>). \r\n\r\nWhile I don\'t think this level of petty infighting is enough to actually derail Tulsa\'s potential, it certainly doesn\'t do much for our morale. That it\'s the stuff of headlines that are consumed by everyone from employers looking to relocate to Tulsa to a family deciding whether to stay in Tulsa or move to Dallas is what\'s so irritating, at least for me. \r\n\r\nI\'m not in the camp that believes it\'s city government\'s job to lead our city toward some grand vision of what this group or that group believes should be the future of Tulsa. I think it is its job, however, to create a climate that allows and encourages such visions to emerge and to compete in the marketplace of ideas. PLANiTULSA comes to mind - it\'s adoption was a good start to this end on the fronts of planning and land use.\r\n\r\nI\'m not in the habit of editorializing on Tulsa\'s political matters. But, as someone who has gone into the business of promoting Tulsa as one of this country\'s best kept secrets and has put hundreds of volunteer hours into this same cause, all in hopes to create a climate in which civic pride, experience and general awesomeness can flourish in our city, I\'m starting to feel like I\'m working against the bickering of the governing entities that should be dedicated to these same efforts.\r\n\r\nMore reading: \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/resolve/\">Resolve</a> - by Blake Ewing (also, <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?</a> by the same)\r\n<a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/in-search-of-tulsas-voice/\">In Search of Tulsa\'s Voice</a> - by Jesse Boudiette\r\n\r\nThese bloggers\' call? First, to care about what\'s going on at City Hall. Another point both bloggers make, and it\'s one that seems to reflect a growing opinion amongst the citizens of this city, is that more than they care about who\'s right, they just want the bickering between our city council and our Mayor to stop. \r\n\r\nI\'d like to offer a preliminary place for Tulsans to, as Blake put it in his post, get noisy, should they so choose. Do you care about what\'s going on at City Hall? Is there anything you would change? If so, what and why? \r\n\r\nNext, consider putting your comment in an e-mail and <a href=\"http://www.tulsacouncil.org/\">sending it along to these folks</a> and to this guy. ','Rock \'Em, Sock \'Em, City Hall Edition: Bloggers call for vocal citizenry, a stop to Council, Mayor bickering','An increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor has reached the level of spectacle.','draft','open','open','','tulsa-city-council-mayor-infighting','','','2011-03-07 14:42:22','2011-03-07 20:42:22','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=6686',0,'post','',0),(6687,1,'2011-03-07 13:39:59','2011-03-07 19:39:59','','City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma','','inherit','open','open','','cityhall','','','2011-03-07 13:39:59','2011-03-07 19:39:59','',6686,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cityhall.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6688,1,'2011-03-07 13:41:02','2011-03-07 19:41:02','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6687\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6687\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cityhall.jpg\" alt=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6687\" /></a>\n\nToday <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsablog/posts/10150193672653508\">I asked the TDT community on Facebook what they would give to Tulsa if they could only give it one thing</a> (be sure to head to the TDT page and add your two cents). \n\nA recurring answer has been something to the effect of better city leadership. \n\n<!--more-->\n\nAn increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/BrucePlante.aspx?subjectid=63&articleid=20110302_63_A12_tworld743113\">has reached the level of spectacle</a> (and <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20110304_11_A1_CUTLIN259622\">here</a>). \n\nWhile I don\'t think this level of petty infighting is enough to actually derail Tulsa\'s potential, it certainly doesn\'t do much for our morale. That it\'s the stuff of headlines that are consumed by everyone from employers looking to relocate to Tulsa to a family deciding whether to stay in Tulsa or move to Dallas is what\'s so irritating, at least for me. \n\nI\'m not in the camp that believes it\'s city government\'s job to lead our city toward some grand vision of what this group or that group believes should be the future of our city. I think it is its job, however, to create a climate that allows and encourages such visions to emerge and to compete in the marketplace of ideas. PLANiTULSA comes to mind - it\'s adoption was a good start to this end on the fronts of planning and land use.\n\nI\'m not in the habit of blogging on Tulsa\'s political matters. But, as someone who has gone into the business of promoting Tulsa as one of this country\'s best kept secrets and has put hundreds of volunteer hours into this same cause, all in an effort to create a climate for civic pride, experience and general awesomeness in our city, to feel like I\'m working against the bickering of the governing entities that should be dedicated to these same efforts feels like a slap in the face. \n\nMore: \n\n<a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/resolve/\">Resolve</a> - by Blake Ewing (also, <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?</a> by the same)\n<a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/in-search-of-tulsas-voice/\">In Search of Tulsa\'s Voice</a> - by Jesse Boudiette\n\nThese bloggers\' call? First, to care about what\'s going on at City Hall. Another point both bloggers make, and it\'s one that seems to reflect a growing opinion amongst the citizens of this city, is that more than they care about who\'s right, they just want the bickering between our city council and our Mayor stop. \n\nI\'d like to offer a preliminary place for Tulsans to, as Blake put it in his post, get noisy, should they so choose. Do you care about what\'s going on at City Hall? Is there anything you would change? If so, what and why? ','Mommy, Daddy (still) fighting: Bloggers call for vocal citizenry, a stop to Council, Mayor','An increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor has reached the level of spectacle.','inherit','open','open','','6686-revision','','','2011-03-07 13:41:02','2011-03-07 19:41:02','',6686,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6686-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6689,1,'2011-03-07 13:41:38','2011-03-07 19:41:38','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6687\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6687\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cityhall.jpg\" alt=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6687\" /></a>\r\n\r\nToday <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsablog/posts/10150193672653508\">I asked the TDT community on Facebook what they would give to Tulsa if they could only give it one thing</a> (be sure to head to the TDT page and add your two cents). \r\n\r\nA recurring answer has been something to the effect of better city leadership. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nAn increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/BrucePlante.aspx?subjectid=63&articleid=20110302_63_A12_tworld743113\">has reached the level of spectacle</a> (and <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20110304_11_A1_CUTLIN259622\">here</a>). \r\n\r\nWhile I don\'t think this level of petty infighting is enough to actually derail Tulsa\'s potential, it certainly doesn\'t do much for our morale. That it\'s the stuff of headlines that are consumed by everyone from employers looking to relocate to Tulsa to a family deciding whether to stay in Tulsa or move to Dallas is what\'s so irritating, at least for me. \r\n\r\nI\'m not in the camp that believes it\'s city government\'s job to lead our city toward some grand vision of what this group or that group believes should be the future of our city. I think it is its job, however, to create a climate that allows and encourages such visions to emerge and to compete in the marketplace of ideas. PLANiTULSA comes to mind - it\'s adoption was a good start to this end on the fronts of planning and land use.\r\n\r\nI\'m not in the habit of blogging on Tulsa\'s political matters. But, as someone who has gone into the business of promoting Tulsa as one of this country\'s best kept secrets and has put hundreds of volunteer hours into this same cause, all in an effort to create a climate for civic pride, experience and general awesomeness in our city, to feel like I\'m working against the bickering of the governing entities that should be dedicated to these same efforts feels like a slap in the face. \r\n\r\nMore: \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/resolve/\">Resolve</a> - by Blake Ewing (also, <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?</a> by the same)\r\n<a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/in-search-of-tulsas-voice/\">In Search of Tulsa\'s Voice</a> - by Jesse Boudiette\r\n\r\nThese bloggers\' call? First, to care about what\'s going on at City Hall. Another point both bloggers make, and it\'s one that seems to reflect a growing opinion amongst the citizens of this city, is that more than they care about who\'s right, they just want the bickering between our city council and our Mayor stop. \r\n\r\nI\'d like to offer a preliminary place for Tulsans to, as Blake put it in his post, get noisy, should they so choose. Do you care about what\'s going on at City Hall? Is there anything you would change? If so, what and why? ','Rock \'Em, Sock \'Em at City Hall: Bloggers call for vocal citizenry, a stop to Council, Mayor bickering','An increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor has reached the level of spectacle.','inherit','open','open','','6686-revision-2','','','2011-03-07 13:41:38','2011-03-07 19:41:38','',6686,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6686-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6690,1,'2011-03-07 13:41:38','2011-03-07 19:41:38','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6687\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6687\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cityhall.jpg\" alt=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6687\" /></a>\r\n\r\nToday <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsablog/posts/10150193672653508\">I asked the TDT community on Facebook what they would give to Tulsa if they could only give it one thing</a> (be sure to head to the TDT page and add your two cents). \r\n\r\nA recurring answer has been something to the effect of better city leadership. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nAn increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/BrucePlante.aspx?subjectid=63&articleid=20110302_63_A12_tworld743113\">has reached the level of spectacle</a> (and <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20110304_11_A1_CUTLIN259622\">here</a>). \r\n\r\nWhile I don\'t think this level of petty infighting is enough to actually derail Tulsa\'s potential, it certainly doesn\'t do much for our morale. That it\'s the stuff of headlines that are consumed by everyone from employers looking to relocate to Tulsa to a family deciding whether to stay in Tulsa or move to Dallas is what\'s so irritating, at least for me. \r\n\r\nI\'m not in the camp that believes it\'s city government\'s job to lead our city toward some grand vision of what this group or that group believes should be the future of our city. I think it is its job, however, to create a climate that allows and encourages such visions to emerge and to compete in the marketplace of ideas. PLANiTULSA comes to mind - it\'s adoption was a good start to this end on the fronts of planning and land use.\r\n\r\nI\'m not in the habit of blogging on Tulsa\'s political matters. But, as someone who has gone into the business of promoting Tulsa as one of this country\'s best kept secrets and has put hundreds of volunteer hours into this same cause, all in an effort to create a climate for civic pride, experience and general awesomeness in our city, to feel like I\'m working against the bickering of the governing entities that should be dedicated to these same efforts feels like a slap in the face. \r\n\r\nMore: \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/resolve/\">Resolve</a> - by Blake Ewing (also, <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?</a> by the same)\r\n<a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/in-search-of-tulsas-voice/\">In Search of Tulsa\'s Voice</a> - by Jesse Boudiette\r\n\r\nThese bloggers\' call? First, to care about what\'s going on at City Hall. Another point both bloggers make, and it\'s one that seems to reflect a growing opinion amongst the citizens of this city, is that more than they care about who\'s right, they just want the bickering between our city council and our Mayor stop. \r\n\r\nI\'d like to offer a preliminary place for Tulsans to, as Blake put it in his post, get noisy, should they so choose. Do you care about what\'s going on at City Hall? Is there anything you would change? If so, what and why? ','Rock \'Em, Sock \'Em at City Hall: Bloggers call for vocal citizenry, a stop to Council, Mayor bickering','An increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor has reached the level of spectacle.','inherit','open','open','','6686-revision-3','','','2011-03-07 13:41:38','2011-03-07 19:41:38','',6686,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6686-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6691,1,'2011-03-07 13:41:50','2011-03-07 19:41:50','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6687\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6687\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cityhall.jpg\" alt=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6687\" /></a>\r\n\r\nToday <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsablog/posts/10150193672653508\">I asked the TDT community on Facebook what they would give to Tulsa if they could only give it one thing</a> (be sure to head to the TDT page and add your two cents). \r\n\r\nA recurring answer has been something to the effect of better city leadership. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nAn increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/BrucePlante.aspx?subjectid=63&articleid=20110302_63_A12_tworld743113\">has reached the level of spectacle</a> (and <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20110304_11_A1_CUTLIN259622\">here</a>). \r\n\r\nWhile I don\'t think this level of petty infighting is enough to actually derail Tulsa\'s potential, it certainly doesn\'t do much for our morale. That it\'s the stuff of headlines that are consumed by everyone from employers looking to relocate to Tulsa to a family deciding whether to stay in Tulsa or move to Dallas is what\'s so irritating, at least for me. \r\n\r\nI\'m not in the camp that believes it\'s city government\'s job to lead our city toward some grand vision of what this group or that group believes should be the future of our city. I think it is its job, however, to create a climate that allows and encourages such visions to emerge and to compete in the marketplace of ideas. PLANiTULSA comes to mind - it\'s adoption was a good start to this end on the fronts of planning and land use.\r\n\r\nI\'m not in the habit of blogging on Tulsa\'s political matters. But, as someone who has gone into the business of promoting Tulsa as one of this country\'s best kept secrets and has put hundreds of volunteer hours into this same cause, all in an effort to create a climate for civic pride, experience and general awesomeness in our city, to feel like I\'m working against the bickering of the governing entities that should be dedicated to these same efforts feels like a slap in the face. \r\n\r\nMore: \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/resolve/\">Resolve</a> - by Blake Ewing (also, <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?</a> by the same)\r\n<a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/in-search-of-tulsas-voice/\">In Search of Tulsa\'s Voice</a> - by Jesse Boudiette\r\n\r\nThese bloggers\' call? First, to care about what\'s going on at City Hall. Another point both bloggers make, and it\'s one that seems to reflect a growing opinion amongst the citizens of this city, is that more than they care about who\'s right, they just want the bickering between our city council and our Mayor stop. \r\n\r\nI\'d like to offer a preliminary place for Tulsans to, as Blake put it in his post, get noisy, should they so choose. Do you care about what\'s going on at City Hall? Is there anything you would change? If so, what and why? ','Rock \'Em, Sock \'Em, City Hall Edition: Bloggers call for vocal citizenry, a stop to Council, Mayor bickering','An increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor has reached the level of spectacle.','inherit','open','open','','6686-revision-4','','','2011-03-07 13:41:50','2011-03-07 19:41:50','',6686,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6686-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6692,1,'2011-03-07 13:41:50','2011-03-07 19:41:50','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6687\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6687\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cityhall.jpg\" alt=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6687\" /></a>\r\n\r\nToday <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsablog/posts/10150193672653508\">I asked the TDT community on Facebook what they would give to Tulsa if they could only give it one thing</a> (be sure to head to the TDT page and add your two cents). \r\n\r\nA recurring answer has been something to the effect of better city leadership. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nAn increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/BrucePlante.aspx?subjectid=63&articleid=20110302_63_A12_tworld743113\">has reached the level of spectacle</a> (and <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20110304_11_A1_CUTLIN259622\">here</a>). \r\n\r\nWhile I don\'t think this level of petty infighting is enough to actually derail Tulsa\'s potential, it certainly doesn\'t do much for our morale. That it\'s the stuff of headlines that are consumed by everyone from employers looking to relocate to Tulsa to a family deciding whether to stay in Tulsa or move to Dallas is what\'s so irritating, at least for me. \r\n\r\nI\'m not in the camp that believes it\'s city government\'s job to lead our city toward some grand vision of what this group or that group believes should be the future of our city. I think it is its job, however, to create a climate that allows and encourages such visions to emerge and to compete in the marketplace of ideas. PLANiTULSA comes to mind - it\'s adoption was a good start to this end on the fronts of planning and land use.\r\n\r\nI\'m not in the habit of blogging on Tulsa\'s political matters. But, as someone who has gone into the business of promoting Tulsa as one of this country\'s best kept secrets and has put hundreds of volunteer hours into this same cause, all in an effort to create a climate for civic pride, experience and general awesomeness in our city, to feel like I\'m working against the bickering of the governing entities that should be dedicated to these same efforts feels like a slap in the face. \r\n\r\nMore: \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/resolve/\">Resolve</a> - by Blake Ewing (also, <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?</a> by the same)\r\n<a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/in-search-of-tulsas-voice/\">In Search of Tulsa\'s Voice</a> - by Jesse Boudiette\r\n\r\nThese bloggers\' call? First, to care about what\'s going on at City Hall. Another point both bloggers make, and it\'s one that seems to reflect a growing opinion amongst the citizens of this city, is that more than they care about who\'s right, they just want the bickering between our city council and our Mayor stop. \r\n\r\nI\'d like to offer a preliminary place for Tulsans to, as Blake put it in his post, get noisy, should they so choose. Do you care about what\'s going on at City Hall? Is there anything you would change? If so, what and why? ','Rock \'Em, Sock \'Em, City Hall Edition: Bloggers call for vocal citizenry, a stop to Council, Mayor bickering','An increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor has reached the level of spectacle.','inherit','open','open','','6686-revision-5','','','2011-03-07 13:41:50','2011-03-07 19:41:50','',6686,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6686-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6693,1,'2011-03-07 13:43:15','2011-03-07 19:43:15','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6687\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6687\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cityhall.jpg\" alt=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6687\" /></a>\r\n\r\nToday <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsablog/posts/10150193672653508\">I asked the TDT community on Facebook what they would give to Tulsa if they could only give it one thing</a> (be sure to head to the TDT page and add your two cents). \r\n\r\nA recurring answer has been something to the effect of better city leadership. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nAn increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/BrucePlante.aspx?subjectid=63&articleid=20110302_63_A12_tworld743113\">has reached the level of spectacle</a> (and <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20110304_11_A1_CUTLIN259622\">here</a>). \r\n\r\nWhile I don\'t think this level of petty infighting is enough to actually derail Tulsa\'s potential, it certainly doesn\'t do much for our morale. That it\'s the stuff of headlines that are consumed by everyone from employers looking to relocate to Tulsa to a family deciding whether to stay in Tulsa or move to Dallas is what\'s so irritating, at least for me. \r\n\r\nI\'m not in the camp that believes it\'s city government\'s job to lead our city toward some grand vision of what this group or that group believes should be the future of Tulsa. I think it is its job, however, to create a climate that allows and encourages such visions to emerge and to compete in the marketplace of ideas. PLANiTULSA comes to mind - it\'s adoption was a good start to this end on the fronts of planning and land use.\r\n\r\nI\'m not in the habit of blogging on Tulsa\'s political matters. But, as someone who has gone into the business of promoting Tulsa as one of this country\'s best kept secrets and has put hundreds of volunteer hours into this same cause, all in an effort to create a climate for civic pride, experience and general awesomeness in our city, to feel like I\'m working against the bickering of the governing entities that should be dedicated to these same efforts feels like a slap in the face. \r\n\r\nMore: \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/resolve/\">Resolve</a> - by Blake Ewing (also, <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?</a> by the same)\r\n<a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/in-search-of-tulsas-voice/\">In Search of Tulsa\'s Voice</a> - by Jesse Boudiette\r\n\r\nThese bloggers\' call? First, to care about what\'s going on at City Hall. Another point both bloggers make, and it\'s one that seems to reflect a growing opinion amongst the citizens of this city, is that more than they care about who\'s right, they just want the bickering between our city council and our Mayor stop. \r\n\r\nI\'d like to offer a preliminary place for Tulsans to, as Blake put it in his post, get noisy, should they so choose. Do you care about what\'s going on at City Hall? Is there anything you would change? If so, what and why? ','Rock \'Em, Sock \'Em, City Hall Edition: Bloggers call for vocal citizenry, a stop to Council, Mayor bickering','An increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor has reached the level of spectacle.','inherit','open','open','','6686-revision-6','','','2011-03-07 13:43:15','2011-03-07 19:43:15','',6686,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6686-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6694,1,'2011-03-07 13:43:16','2011-03-07 19:43:16','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6687\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6687\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cityhall.jpg\" alt=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6687\" /></a>\r\n\r\nToday <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsablog/posts/10150193672653508\">I asked the TDT community on Facebook what they would give to Tulsa if they could only give it one thing</a> (be sure to head to the TDT page and add your two cents). \r\n\r\nA recurring answer has been something to the effect of better city leadership. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nAn increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/BrucePlante.aspx?subjectid=63&articleid=20110302_63_A12_tworld743113\">has reached the level of spectacle</a> (and <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20110304_11_A1_CUTLIN259622\">here</a>). \r\n\r\nWhile I don\'t think this level of petty infighting is enough to actually derail Tulsa\'s potential, it certainly doesn\'t do much for our morale. That it\'s the stuff of headlines that are consumed by everyone from employers looking to relocate to Tulsa to a family deciding whether to stay in Tulsa or move to Dallas is what\'s so irritating, at least for me. \r\n\r\nI\'m not in the camp that believes it\'s city government\'s job to lead our city toward some grand vision of what this group or that group believes should be the future of Tulsa. I think it is its job, however, to create a climate that allows and encourages such visions to emerge and to compete in the marketplace of ideas. PLANiTULSA comes to mind - it\'s adoption was a good start to this end on the fronts of planning and land use.\r\n\r\nI\'m not in the habit of blogging on Tulsa\'s political matters. But, as someone who has gone into the business of promoting Tulsa as one of this country\'s best kept secrets and has put hundreds of volunteer hours into this same cause, all in an effort to create a climate for civic pride, experience and general awesomeness in our city, to feel like I\'m working against the bickering of the governing entities that should be dedicated to these same efforts feels like a slap in the face. \r\n\r\nMore: \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/resolve/\">Resolve</a> - by Blake Ewing (also, <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?</a> by the same)\r\n<a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/in-search-of-tulsas-voice/\">In Search of Tulsa\'s Voice</a> - by Jesse Boudiette\r\n\r\nThese bloggers\' call? First, to care about what\'s going on at City Hall. Another point both bloggers make, and it\'s one that seems to reflect a growing opinion amongst the citizens of this city, is that more than they care about who\'s right, they just want the bickering between our city council and our Mayor stop. \r\n\r\nI\'d like to offer a preliminary place for Tulsans to, as Blake put it in his post, get noisy, should they so choose. Do you care about what\'s going on at City Hall? Is there anything you would change? If so, what and why? ','Rock \'Em, Sock \'Em, City Hall Edition: Bloggers call for vocal citizenry, a stop to Council, Mayor bickering','An increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor has reached the level of spectacle.','inherit','open','open','','6686-revision-7','','','2011-03-07 13:43:16','2011-03-07 19:43:16','',6686,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6686-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(6695,1,'2011-03-07 13:44:44','2011-03-07 19:44:44','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6687\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6687\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cityhall.jpg\" alt=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6687\" /></a>\r\n\r\nToday <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsablog/posts/10150193672653508\">I asked the TDT community on Facebook what they would give to Tulsa if they could only give it one thing</a> (be sure to head to the TDT page and add your two cents). \r\n\r\nA recurring answer has been something to the effect of better city leadership. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nAn increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/BrucePlante.aspx?subjectid=63&articleid=20110302_63_A12_tworld743113\">has reached the level of spectacle</a> (and <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20110304_11_A1_CUTLIN259622\">here</a>). \r\n\r\nWhile I don\'t think this level of petty infighting is enough to actually derail Tulsa\'s potential, it certainly doesn\'t do much for our morale. That it\'s the stuff of headlines that are consumed by everyone from employers looking to relocate to Tulsa to a family deciding whether to stay in Tulsa or move to Dallas is what\'s so irritating, at least for me. \r\n\r\nI\'m not in the camp that believes it\'s city government\'s job to lead our city toward some grand vision of what this group or that group believes should be the future of Tulsa. I think it is its job, however, to create a climate that allows and encourages such visions to emerge and to compete in the marketplace of ideas. PLANiTULSA comes to mind - it\'s adoption was a good start to this end on the fronts of planning and land use.\r\n\r\nI\'m not in the habit of blogging on Tulsa\'s political matters. But, as someone who has gone into the business of promoting Tulsa as one of this country\'s best kept secrets and has put hundreds of volunteer hours into this same cause, all in hopes to create a climate in which civic pride, experience and general awesomeness can flourish in our city, to feel like I\'m working against the bickering of the governing entities that should be dedicated to these same efforts feels like a slap in the face. \r\n\r\nMore: \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/resolve/\">Resolve</a> - by Blake Ewing (also, <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?</a> by the same)\r\n<a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/in-search-of-tulsas-voice/\">In Search of Tulsa\'s Voice</a> - by Jesse Boudiette\r\n\r\nThese bloggers\' call? First, to care about what\'s going on at City Hall. Another point both bloggers make, and it\'s one that seems to reflect a growing opinion amongst the citizens of this city, is that more than they care about who\'s right, they just want the bickering between our city council and our Mayor stop. \r\n\r\nI\'d like to offer a preliminary place for Tulsans to, as Blake put it in his post, get noisy, should they so choose. Do you care about what\'s going on at City Hall? Is there anything you would change? If so, what and why? ','Rock \'Em, Sock \'Em, City Hall Edition: Bloggers call for vocal citizenry, a stop to Council, Mayor bickering','An increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor has reached the level of spectacle.','inherit','open','open','','6686-revision-8','','','2011-03-07 13:44:44','2011-03-07 19:44:44','',6686,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6686-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6696,1,'2011-03-07 13:44:44','2011-03-07 19:44:44','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6687\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6687\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cityhall.jpg\" alt=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6687\" /></a>\r\n\r\nToday <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsablog/posts/10150193672653508\">I asked the TDT community on Facebook what they would give to Tulsa if they could only give it one thing</a> (be sure to head to the TDT page and add your two cents). \r\n\r\nA recurring answer has been something to the effect of better city leadership. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nAn increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/BrucePlante.aspx?subjectid=63&articleid=20110302_63_A12_tworld743113\">has reached the level of spectacle</a> (and <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20110304_11_A1_CUTLIN259622\">here</a>). \r\n\r\nWhile I don\'t think this level of petty infighting is enough to actually derail Tulsa\'s potential, it certainly doesn\'t do much for our morale. That it\'s the stuff of headlines that are consumed by everyone from employers looking to relocate to Tulsa to a family deciding whether to stay in Tulsa or move to Dallas is what\'s so irritating, at least for me. \r\n\r\nI\'m not in the camp that believes it\'s city government\'s job to lead our city toward some grand vision of what this group or that group believes should be the future of Tulsa. I think it is its job, however, to create a climate that allows and encourages such visions to emerge and to compete in the marketplace of ideas. PLANiTULSA comes to mind - it\'s adoption was a good start to this end on the fronts of planning and land use.\r\n\r\nI\'m not in the habit of blogging on Tulsa\'s political matters. But, as someone who has gone into the business of promoting Tulsa as one of this country\'s best kept secrets and has put hundreds of volunteer hours into this same cause, all in hopes to create a climate in which civic pride, experience and general awesomeness can flourish in our city, to feel like I\'m working against the bickering of the governing entities that should be dedicated to these same efforts feels like a slap in the face. \r\n\r\nMore: \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/resolve/\">Resolve</a> - by Blake Ewing (also, <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?</a> by the same)\r\n<a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/in-search-of-tulsas-voice/\">In Search of Tulsa\'s Voice</a> - by Jesse Boudiette\r\n\r\nThese bloggers\' call? First, to care about what\'s going on at City Hall. Another point both bloggers make, and it\'s one that seems to reflect a growing opinion amongst the citizens of this city, is that more than they care about who\'s right, they just want the bickering between our city council and our Mayor stop. \r\n\r\nI\'d like to offer a preliminary place for Tulsans to, as Blake put it in his post, get noisy, should they so choose. Do you care about what\'s going on at City Hall? Is there anything you would change? If so, what and why? ','Rock \'Em, Sock \'Em, City Hall Edition: Bloggers call for vocal citizenry, a stop to Council, Mayor bickering','An increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor has reached the level of spectacle.','inherit','open','open','','6686-revision-9','','','2011-03-07 13:44:44','2011-03-07 19:44:44','',6686,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6686-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(6697,1,'2011-03-07 13:45:46','2011-03-07 19:45:46','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6687\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6687\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cityhall.jpg\" alt=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6687\" /></a>\r\n\r\nToday <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsablog/posts/10150193672653508\">I asked the TDT community on Facebook what they would give to Tulsa if they could only give it one thing</a> (be sure to head to the TDT page and add your two cents). \r\n\r\nA recurring answer has been something to the effect of better city leadership. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nAn increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/BrucePlante.aspx?subjectid=63&articleid=20110302_63_A12_tworld743113\">has reached the level of spectacle</a> (and <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20110304_11_A1_CUTLIN259622\">here</a>). \r\n\r\nWhile I don\'t think this level of petty infighting is enough to actually derail Tulsa\'s potential, it certainly doesn\'t do much for our morale. That it\'s the stuff of headlines that are consumed by everyone from employers looking to relocate to Tulsa to a family deciding whether to stay in Tulsa or move to Dallas is what\'s so irritating, at least for me. \r\n\r\nI\'m not in the camp that believes it\'s city government\'s job to lead our city toward some grand vision of what this group or that group believes should be the future of Tulsa. I think it is its job, however, to create a climate that allows and encourages such visions to emerge and to compete in the marketplace of ideas. PLANiTULSA comes to mind - it\'s adoption was a good start to this end on the fronts of planning and land use.\r\n\r\nI\'m not in the habit of blogging on Tulsa\'s political matters. But, as someone who has gone into the business of promoting Tulsa as one of this country\'s best kept secrets and has put hundreds of volunteer hours into this same cause, all in hopes to create a climate in which civic pride, experience and general awesomeness can flourish in our city, I\'m starting to feel like I\'m working against the bickering of the governing entities that should be dedicated to these same efforts. And it feels like a slap in the face. \r\n\r\nMore reading: \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/resolve/\">Resolve</a> - by Blake Ewing (also, <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?</a> by the same)\r\n<a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/in-search-of-tulsas-voice/\">In Search of Tulsa\'s Voice</a> - by Jesse Boudiette\r\n\r\nThese bloggers\' call? First, to care about what\'s going on at City Hall. Another point both bloggers make, and it\'s one that seems to reflect a growing opinion amongst the citizens of this city, is that more than they care about who\'s right, they just want the bickering between our city council and our Mayor stop. \r\n\r\nI\'d like to offer a preliminary place for Tulsans to, as Blake put it in his post, get noisy, should they so choose. Do you care about what\'s going on at City Hall? Is there anything you would change? If so, what and why? ','Rock \'Em, Sock \'Em, City Hall Edition: Bloggers call for vocal citizenry, a stop to Council, Mayor bickering','An increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor has reached the level of spectacle.','inherit','open','open','','6686-revision-10','','','2011-03-07 13:45:46','2011-03-07 19:45:46','',6686,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6686-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(6698,1,'2011-03-07 14:08:52','2011-03-07 20:08:52','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6687\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6687\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cityhall.jpg\" alt=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6687\" /></a>\n\nToday <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsablog/posts/10150193672653508\">I asked the TDT community on Facebook what they would give to Tulsa if they could only give it one thing</a> (be sure to head to the TDT page and add your two cents). \n\nA recurring answer has been something to the effect of better city leadership. \n\n<!--more-->\n\nAn increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/BrucePlante.aspx?subjectid=63&articleid=20110302_63_A12_tworld743113\">has reached the level of spectacle</a> (and <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20110304_11_A1_CUTLIN259622\">here</a>). \n\nWhile I don\'t think this level of petty infighting is enough to actually derail Tulsa\'s potential, it certainly doesn\'t do much for our morale. That it\'s the stuff of headlines that are consumed by everyone from employers looking to relocate to Tulsa to a family deciding whether to stay in Tulsa or move to Dallas is what\'s so irritating, at least for me. \n\nI\'m not in the camp that believes it\'s city government\'s job to lead our city toward some grand vision of what this group or that group believes should be the future of Tulsa. I think it is its job, however, to create a climate that allows and encourages such visions to emerge and to compete in the marketplace of ideas. PLANiTULSA comes to mind - it\'s adoption was a good start to this end on the fronts of planning and land use.\n\nI\'m not in the habit of editorializing on Tulsa\'s political matters. But, as someone who has gone into the business of promoting Tulsa as one of this country\'s best kept secrets and has put hundreds of volunteer hours into this same cause, all in hopes to create a climate in which civic pride, experience and general awesomeness can flourish in our city, I\'m starting to feel like I\'m working against the bickering of the governing entities that should be dedicated to these same efforts. And it feels like a slap in the face. \n\nMore reading: \n\n<a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/resolve/\">Resolve</a> - by Blake Ewing (also, <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?</a> by the same)\n<a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/in-search-of-tulsas-voice/\">In Search of Tulsa\'s Voice</a> - by Jesse Boudiette\n\nThese bloggers\' call? First, to care about what\'s going on at City Hall. Another point both bloggers make, and it\'s one that seems to reflect a growing opinion amongst the citizens of this city, is that more than they care about who\'s right, they just want the bickering between our city council and our Mayor to stop. \n\nI\'d like to offer a preliminary place for Tulsans to, as Blake put it in his post, get noisy, should they so choose. Do you care about what\'s going on at City Hall? Is there anything you would change? If so, what and why? \n\nNext, consider putting your comment in an e-mail and <a href=\"http://www.tulsacouncil.org/\">sending it along to these folks</a> and to this guy. ','Rock \'Em, Sock \'Em, City Hall Edition: Bloggers call for vocal citizenry, a stop to Council, Mayor bickering','An increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor has reached the level of spectacle.','inherit','open','open','','6686-revision-11','','','2011-03-07 14:08:52','2011-03-07 20:08:52','',6686,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6686-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(6699,1,'2011-03-07 14:09:04','2011-03-07 20:09:04','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6687\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6687\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cityhall.jpg\" alt=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6687\" /></a>\r\n\r\nToday <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsablog/posts/10150193672653508\">I asked the TDT community on Facebook what they would give to Tulsa if they could only give it one thing</a> (be sure to head to the TDT page and add your two cents). \r\n\r\nA recurring answer has been something to the effect of better city leadership. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nAn increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/BrucePlante.aspx?subjectid=63&articleid=20110302_63_A12_tworld743113\">has reached the level of spectacle</a> (and <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20110304_11_A1_CUTLIN259622\">here</a>). \r\n\r\nWhile I don\'t think this level of petty infighting is enough to actually derail Tulsa\'s potential, it certainly doesn\'t do much for our morale. That it\'s the stuff of headlines that are consumed by everyone from employers looking to relocate to Tulsa to a family deciding whether to stay in Tulsa or move to Dallas is what\'s so irritating, at least for me. \r\n\r\nI\'m not in the camp that believes it\'s city government\'s job to lead our city toward some grand vision of what this group or that group believes should be the future of Tulsa. I think it is its job, however, to create a climate that allows and encourages such visions to emerge and to compete in the marketplace of ideas. PLANiTULSA comes to mind - it\'s adoption was a good start to this end on the fronts of planning and land use.\r\n\r\nI\'m not in the habit of editorializing on Tulsa\'s political matters. But, as someone who has gone into the business of promoting Tulsa as one of this country\'s best kept secrets and has put hundreds of volunteer hours into this same cause, all in hopes to create a climate in which civic pride, experience and general awesomeness can flourish in our city, I\'m starting to feel like I\'m working against the bickering of the governing entities that should be dedicated to these same efforts.\r\n\r\nMore reading: \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/resolve/\">Resolve</a> - by Blake Ewing (also, <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?</a> by the same)\r\n<a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/in-search-of-tulsas-voice/\">In Search of Tulsa\'s Voice</a> - by Jesse Boudiette\r\n\r\nThese bloggers\' call? First, to care about what\'s going on at City Hall. Another point both bloggers make, and it\'s one that seems to reflect a growing opinion amongst the citizens of this city, is that more than they care about who\'s right, they just want the bickering between our city council and our Mayor to stop. \r\n\r\nI\'d like to offer a preliminary place for Tulsans to, as Blake put it in his post, get noisy, should they so choose. Do you care about what\'s going on at City Hall? Is there anything you would change? If so, what and why? \r\n\r\nNext, consider putting your comment in an e-mail and <a href=\"http://www.tulsacouncil.org/\">sending it along to these folks</a> and to this guy. ','Rock \'Em, Sock \'Em, City Hall Edition: Bloggers call for vocal citizenry, a stop to Council, Mayor bickering','An increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor has reached the level of spectacle.','inherit','open','open','','6686-revision-12','','','2011-03-07 14:09:04','2011-03-07 20:09:04','',6686,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6686-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(6700,1,'2011-03-07 14:42:08','2011-03-07 20:42:08','<img src=\"http://okbridges.wkinsler.com/tulsa_county/photos/bridge_arkansas4a.jpg\" width=\"500\"/>\r\n\r\nOn March 7, the second restaurant in as many months will open along the Arkansas, adding a tally to the score for the west side of the river. \r\n\r\nRead more about the new Waterfront Grill on <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=47&ArticleID=52372&TM=55835.7\">the Food page of this week\'s edition of Tulsa Business Journal</a>. \r\n\r\n<em>Image from <a href=\"http://okbridges.wkinsler.com/\">Oklahoma Bridges</a></em>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>','Waterfront Grill Open in Jenks','On March 7, the second restaurant in as many months will open along the Arkansas, adding a tally to the score for the west side of the river. ','publish','open','open','','waterfront-grill-open-in-jenks','','','2011-03-07 16:04:07','2011-03-07 22:04:07','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=6700',0,'post','',1),(6701,1,'2011-03-07 14:38:45','2011-03-07 20:38:45','<img src=\"http://okbridges.wkinsler.com/tulsa_county/photos/bridge_arkansas4a.jpg\"/>\n\nOn March 7, the second restaurant in as many months will open along the Arkansas, adding a tally to the score for the west side of the river. \n\nRead more about Waterfront Grill on <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=47&ArticleID=52372&TM=55835.7\">the Food page of this week\'s edition of Tulsa Business Journal</a>. \n\n<em>Image from <a href=\"http://okbridges.wkinsler.com/\">Oklahoma Bridges</a></em>','Waterfront Grill Open in Jenks','','inherit','open','open','','6700-revision','','','2011-03-07 14:38:45','2011-03-07 20:38:45','',6700,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6700-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6702,1,'2011-03-07 14:40:45','2011-03-07 20:40:45','<img src=\"http://okbridges.wkinsler.com/tulsa_county/photos/bridge_arkansas4a.jpg\"/>\r\n\r\nOn March 7, the second restaurant in as many months will open along the Arkansas, adding a tally to the score for the west side of the river. \r\n\r\nRead more about Waterfront Grill on <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=47&ArticleID=52372&TM=55835.7\">the Food page of this week\'s edition of Tulsa Business Journal</a>. \r\n\r\n<em>Image from <a href=\"http://okbridges.wkinsler.com/\">Oklahoma Bridges</a></em>','Waterfront Grill Open in Jenks','On March 7, the second restaurant in as many months will open along the Arkansas, adding a tally to the score for the west side of the river. ','inherit','open','open','','6700-revision-2','','','2011-03-07 14:40:45','2011-03-07 20:40:45','',6700,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6700-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6703,1,'2011-03-07 14:41:02','2011-03-07 20:41:02','<img src=\"http://okbridges.wkinsler.com/tulsa_county/photos/bridge_arkansas4a.jpg\" width=\"500\"/>\r\n\r\nOn March 7, the second restaurant in as many months will open along the Arkansas, adding a tally to the score for the west side of the river. \r\n\r\nRead more about Waterfront Grill on <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=47&ArticleID=52372&TM=55835.7\">the Food page of this week\'s edition of Tulsa Business Journal</a>. \r\n\r\n<em>Image from <a href=\"http://okbridges.wkinsler.com/\">Oklahoma Bridges</a></em>','Waterfront Grill Open in Jenks','On March 7, the second restaurant in as many months will open along the Arkansas, adding a tally to the score for the west side of the river. ','inherit','open','open','','6700-revision-3','','','2011-03-07 14:41:02','2011-03-07 20:41:02','',6700,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6700-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6704,1,'2011-03-07 14:41:33','2011-03-07 20:41:33','<img src=\"http://okbridges.wkinsler.com/tulsa_county/photos/bridge_arkansas4a.jpg\" width=\"500\"/>\r\n\r\nOn March 7, the second restaurant in as many months will open along the Arkansas, adding a tally to the score for the west side of the river. \r\n\r\nRead more about the new Waterfront Grill on <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=47&ArticleID=52372&TM=55835.7\">the Food page of this week\'s edition of Tulsa Business Journal</a>. \r\n\r\n<em>Image from <a href=\"http://okbridges.wkinsler.com/\">Oklahoma Bridges</a></em>','Waterfront Grill Open in Jenks','On March 7, the second restaurant in as many months will open along the Arkansas, adding a tally to the score for the west side of the river. ','inherit','open','open','','6700-revision-4','','','2011-03-07 14:41:33','2011-03-07 20:41:33','',6700,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6700-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6705,1,'2011-03-07 14:09:04','2011-03-07 20:09:04','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6687\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6687\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cityhall.jpg\" alt=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6687\" /></a>\r\n\r\nToday <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsablog/posts/10150193672653508\">I asked the TDT community on Facebook what they would give to Tulsa if they could only give it one thing</a> (be sure to head to the TDT page and add your two cents). \r\n\r\nA recurring answer has been something to the effect of better city leadership. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nAn increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/BrucePlante.aspx?subjectid=63&articleid=20110302_63_A12_tworld743113\">has reached the level of spectacle</a> (and <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20110304_11_A1_CUTLIN259622\">here</a>). \r\n\r\nWhile I don\'t think this level of petty infighting is enough to actually derail Tulsa\'s potential, it certainly doesn\'t do much for our morale. That it\'s the stuff of headlines that are consumed by everyone from employers looking to relocate to Tulsa to a family deciding whether to stay in Tulsa or move to Dallas is what\'s so irritating, at least for me. \r\n\r\nI\'m not in the camp that believes it\'s city government\'s job to lead our city toward some grand vision of what this group or that group believes should be the future of Tulsa. I think it is its job, however, to create a climate that allows and encourages such visions to emerge and to compete in the marketplace of ideas. PLANiTULSA comes to mind - it\'s adoption was a good start to this end on the fronts of planning and land use.\r\n\r\nI\'m not in the habit of editorializing on Tulsa\'s political matters. But, as someone who has gone into the business of promoting Tulsa as one of this country\'s best kept secrets and has put hundreds of volunteer hours into this same cause, all in hopes to create a climate in which civic pride, experience and general awesomeness can flourish in our city, I\'m starting to feel like I\'m working against the bickering of the governing entities that should be dedicated to these same efforts.\r\n\r\nMore reading: \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/resolve/\">Resolve</a> - by Blake Ewing (also, <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?</a> by the same)\r\n<a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/in-search-of-tulsas-voice/\">In Search of Tulsa\'s Voice</a> - by Jesse Boudiette\r\n\r\nThese bloggers\' call? First, to care about what\'s going on at City Hall. Another point both bloggers make, and it\'s one that seems to reflect a growing opinion amongst the citizens of this city, is that more than they care about who\'s right, they just want the bickering between our city council and our Mayor to stop. \r\n\r\nI\'d like to offer a preliminary place for Tulsans to, as Blake put it in his post, get noisy, should they so choose. Do you care about what\'s going on at City Hall? Is there anything you would change? If so, what and why? \r\n\r\nNext, consider putting your comment in an e-mail and <a href=\"http://www.tulsacouncil.org/\">sending it along to these folks</a> and to this guy. ','Rock \'Em, Sock \'Em, City Hall Edition: Bloggers call for vocal citizenry, a stop to Council, Mayor bickering','An increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor has reached the level of spectacle.','inherit','open','open','','6686-revision-13','','','2011-03-07 14:09:04','2011-03-07 20:09:04','',6686,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6686-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(6706,1,'2011-03-07 14:42:16','2011-03-07 20:42:16','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6687\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6687\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cityhall.jpg\" alt=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6687\" /></a>\r\n\r\nToday <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsablog/posts/10150193672653508\">I asked the TDT community on Facebook what they would give to Tulsa if they could only give it one thing</a> (be sure to head to the TDT page and add your two cents). \r\n\r\nA recurring answer has been something to the effect of better city leadership. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nAn increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/BrucePlante.aspx?subjectid=63&articleid=20110302_63_A12_tworld743113\">has reached the level of spectacle</a> (and <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20110304_11_A1_CUTLIN259622\">here</a>). \r\n\r\nWhile I don\'t think this level of petty infighting is enough to actually derail Tulsa\'s potential, it certainly doesn\'t do much for our morale. That it\'s the stuff of headlines that are consumed by everyone from employers looking to relocate to Tulsa to a family deciding whether to stay in Tulsa or move to Dallas is what\'s so irritating, at least for me. \r\n\r\nI\'m not in the camp that believes it\'s city government\'s job to lead our city toward some grand vision of what this group or that group believes should be the future of Tulsa. I think it is its job, however, to create a climate that allows and encourages such visions to emerge and to compete in the marketplace of ideas. PLANiTULSA comes to mind - it\'s adoption was a good start to this end on the fronts of planning and land use.\r\n\r\nI\'m not in the habit of editorializing on Tulsa\'s political matters. But, as someone who has gone into the business of promoting Tulsa as one of this country\'s best kept secrets and has put hundreds of volunteer hours into this same cause, all in hopes to create a climate in which civic pride, experience and general awesomeness can flourish in our city, I\'m starting to feel like I\'m working against the bickering of the governing entities that should be dedicated to these same efforts.\r\n\r\nMore reading: \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/resolve/\">Resolve</a> - by Blake Ewing (also, <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?</a> by the same)\r\n<a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/in-search-of-tulsas-voice/\">In Search of Tulsa\'s Voice</a> - by Jesse Boudiette\r\n\r\nThese bloggers\' call? First, to care about what\'s going on at City Hall. Another point both bloggers make, and it\'s one that seems to reflect a growing opinion amongst the citizens of this city, is that more than they care about who\'s right, they just want the bickering between our city council and our Mayor to stop. \r\n\r\nI\'d like to offer a preliminary place for Tulsans to, as Blake put it in his post, get noisy, should they so choose. Do you care about what\'s going on at City Hall? Is there anything you would change? If so, what and why? \r\n\r\nNext, consider putting your comment in an e-mail and <a href=\"http://www.tulsacouncil.org/\">sending it along to these folks</a> and to this guy. ','Rock \'Em, Sock \'Em, City Hall Edition: Bloggers call for vocal citizenry, a stop to Council, Mayor bickering','An increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor has reached the level of spectacle.','inherit','open','open','','6686-revision-14','','','2011-03-07 14:42:16','2011-03-07 20:42:16','',6686,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6686-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(6707,1,'2011-03-07 14:42:16','2011-03-07 20:42:16','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6687\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6687\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cityhall.jpg\" alt=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6687\" /></a>\r\n\r\nToday <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsablog/posts/10150193672653508\">I asked the TDT community on Facebook what they would give to Tulsa if they could only give it one thing</a> (be sure to head to the TDT page and add your two cents). \r\n\r\nA recurring answer has been something to the effect of better city leadership. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nAn increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/BrucePlante.aspx?subjectid=63&articleid=20110302_63_A12_tworld743113\">has reached the level of spectacle</a> (and <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20110304_11_A1_CUTLIN259622\">here</a>). \r\n\r\nWhile I don\'t think this level of petty infighting is enough to actually derail Tulsa\'s potential, it certainly doesn\'t do much for our morale. That it\'s the stuff of headlines that are consumed by everyone from employers looking to relocate to Tulsa to a family deciding whether to stay in Tulsa or move to Dallas is what\'s so irritating, at least for me. \r\n\r\nI\'m not in the camp that believes it\'s city government\'s job to lead our city toward some grand vision of what this group or that group believes should be the future of Tulsa. I think it is its job, however, to create a climate that allows and encourages such visions to emerge and to compete in the marketplace of ideas. PLANiTULSA comes to mind - it\'s adoption was a good start to this end on the fronts of planning and land use.\r\n\r\nI\'m not in the habit of editorializing on Tulsa\'s political matters. But, as someone who has gone into the business of promoting Tulsa as one of this country\'s best kept secrets and has put hundreds of volunteer hours into this same cause, all in hopes to create a climate in which civic pride, experience and general awesomeness can flourish in our city, I\'m starting to feel like I\'m working against the bickering of the governing entities that should be dedicated to these same efforts.\r\n\r\nMore reading: \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/resolve/\">Resolve</a> - by Blake Ewing (also, <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?</a> by the same)\r\n<a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/in-search-of-tulsas-voice/\">In Search of Tulsa\'s Voice</a> - by Jesse Boudiette\r\n\r\nThese bloggers\' call? First, to care about what\'s going on at City Hall. Another point both bloggers make, and it\'s one that seems to reflect a growing opinion amongst the citizens of this city, is that more than they care about who\'s right, they just want the bickering between our city council and our Mayor to stop. \r\n\r\nI\'d like to offer a preliminary place for Tulsans to, as Blake put it in his post, get noisy, should they so choose. Do you care about what\'s going on at City Hall? Is there anything you would change? If so, what and why? \r\n\r\nNext, consider putting your comment in an e-mail and <a href=\"http://www.tulsacouncil.org/\">sending it along to these folks</a> and to this guy. ','Rock \'Em, Sock \'Em, City Hall Edition: Bloggers call for vocal citizenry, a stop to Council, Mayor bickering','An increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor has reached the level of spectacle.','inherit','open','open','','6686-revision-15','','','2011-03-07 14:42:16','2011-03-07 20:42:16','',6686,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6686-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(6708,1,'2011-03-07 14:42:22','2011-03-07 20:42:22','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6687\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6687\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cityhall.jpg\" alt=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"City Hall Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6687\" /></a>\r\n\r\nToday <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsablog/posts/10150193672653508\">I asked the TDT community on Facebook what they would give to Tulsa if they could only give it one thing</a> (be sure to head to the TDT page and add your two cents). \r\n\r\nA recurring answer has been something to the effect of better city leadership. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\nAn increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/BrucePlante.aspx?subjectid=63&articleid=20110302_63_A12_tworld743113\">has reached the level of spectacle</a> (and <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20110304_11_A1_CUTLIN259622\">here</a>). \r\n\r\nWhile I don\'t think this level of petty infighting is enough to actually derail Tulsa\'s potential, it certainly doesn\'t do much for our morale. That it\'s the stuff of headlines that are consumed by everyone from employers looking to relocate to Tulsa to a family deciding whether to stay in Tulsa or move to Dallas is what\'s so irritating, at least for me. \r\n\r\nI\'m not in the camp that believes it\'s city government\'s job to lead our city toward some grand vision of what this group or that group believes should be the future of Tulsa. I think it is its job, however, to create a climate that allows and encourages such visions to emerge and to compete in the marketplace of ideas. PLANiTULSA comes to mind - it\'s adoption was a good start to this end on the fronts of planning and land use.\r\n\r\nI\'m not in the habit of editorializing on Tulsa\'s political matters. But, as someone who has gone into the business of promoting Tulsa as one of this country\'s best kept secrets and has put hundreds of volunteer hours into this same cause, all in hopes to create a climate in which civic pride, experience and general awesomeness can flourish in our city, I\'m starting to feel like I\'m working against the bickering of the governing entities that should be dedicated to these same efforts.\r\n\r\nMore reading: \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/resolve/\">Resolve</a> - by Blake Ewing (also, <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?</a> by the same)\r\n<a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/in-search-of-tulsas-voice/\">In Search of Tulsa\'s Voice</a> - by Jesse Boudiette\r\n\r\nThese bloggers\' call? First, to care about what\'s going on at City Hall. Another point both bloggers make, and it\'s one that seems to reflect a growing opinion amongst the citizens of this city, is that more than they care about who\'s right, they just want the bickering between our city council and our Mayor to stop. \r\n\r\nI\'d like to offer a preliminary place for Tulsans to, as Blake put it in his post, get noisy, should they so choose. Do you care about what\'s going on at City Hall? Is there anything you would change? If so, what and why? \r\n\r\nNext, consider putting your comment in an e-mail and <a href=\"http://www.tulsacouncil.org/\">sending it along to these folks</a> and to this guy. ','Rock \'Em, Sock \'Em, City Hall Edition: Bloggers call for vocal citizenry, a stop to Council, Mayor bickering','An increasingly common opinion amongst Tulsans is that the bickering that has gone on at City Hall between the members of our city council and the Mayor has reached the level of spectacle.','inherit','open','open','','6686-revision-16','','','2011-03-07 14:42:22','2011-03-07 20:42:22','',6686,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6686-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(6709,1,'2011-03-07 14:57:37','2011-03-07 20:57:37','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"400\" height=\"750\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6658\" /></a>\n\nDid you know that <a href=\"http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/10/17/top-100-blogs-have-an-average-age-of-338-months/\">the average lifespan of a Top 100 Technorati blog is 33.8 months</a>? And that some put <a href=\"http://trafficcpanel.com/tag/average-life-span/\">the life expectancy of the average blog at much less (3 months)</a>? That\'s why I\'m so proud to be able to say that, as of yesterday, this blog has been going strong for four years and counting. \n\n<!--more-->\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\n\nLots of folks asked questions over the weekend about how TDT got started and how it got to be the blog that it is today. The best answer is on <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about\">the About page here on the site</a> - feel free to check it out. \n\nI also want to say thanks to the many readers who stopped by on Facebook on Sunday to wish the site a happy anniversary. Blogging wouldn\'t be any fun without you. In fact, it\'d basically be me talking to myself on the Internet. Not that there\'s anything wrong with that, but you catch my drift. \n\nEach of you is like <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-Guys-Burger-Bar/107269035966212\">a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger</a> to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading. ','The TDT Story, Four Years Long','Each of you is like a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading. ','inherit','open','open','','6684-revision-2','','','2011-03-07 14:57:37','2011-03-07 20:57:37','',6684,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6684-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6712,1,'2011-03-07 15:00:02','2011-03-07 21:00:02','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658 aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"400\" /></a>\r\n\r\nDid you know that <a href=\"http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/10/17/top-100-blogs-have-an-average-age-of-338-months/\">the average lifespan of a Top 100 Technorati blog is 33.8 months</a>? And that some put <a href=\"http://trafficcpanel.com/tag/average-life-span/\">the life expectancy of the average blog at much less (3 months)</a>? That\'s why I\'m so proud to be able to say that, as of yesterday, this blog has been going strong for four years and counting.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\nLots of folks asked questions over the weekend about how TDT got started and how it got to be the blog that it is today. The best answer is on <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about\">the About page here on the site</a> - feel free to check it out.\r\n\r\nI also want to say thanks to the many readers who stopped by on Facebook on Sunday to wish the site a happy anniversary. Blogging wouldn\'t be any fun without you. In fact, it\'d basically be me talking to myself on the Internet. Not that there\'s anything wrong with that, but you catch my drift.\r\n\r\nEach of you is like <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-Guys-Burger-Bar/107269035966212\">a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger</a> to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading.','The TDT Story, Four Years Long','Each of you is like a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading. ','inherit','open','open','','6684-revision-5','','','2011-03-07 15:00:02','2011-03-07 21:00:02','',6684,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6684-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6710,1,'2011-03-07 14:59:34','2011-03-07 20:59:34','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"400\" height=\"750\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6658\" /></a>\r\n\r\nDid you know that <a href=\"http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/10/17/top-100-blogs-have-an-average-age-of-338-months/\">the average lifespan of a Top 100 Technorati blog is 33.8 months</a>? And that some put <a href=\"http://trafficcpanel.com/tag/average-life-span/\">the life expectancy of the average blog at much less (3 months)</a>? That\'s why I\'m so proud to be able to say that, as of yesterday, this blog has been going strong for four years and counting. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\nLots of folks asked questions over the weekend about how TDT got started and how it got to be the blog that it is today. The best answer is on <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about\">the About page here on the site</a> - feel free to check it out. \r\n\r\nI also want to say thanks to the many readers who stopped by on Facebook on Sunday to wish the site a happy anniversary. Blogging wouldn\'t be any fun without you. In fact, it\'d basically be me talking to myself on the Internet. Not that there\'s anything wrong with that, but you catch my drift. \r\n\r\nEach of you is like <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-Guys-Burger-Bar/107269035966212\">a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger</a> to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading. ','The TDT Story, Four Years Long','Each of you is like a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading. ','inherit','open','open','','6684-revision-3','','','2011-03-07 14:59:34','2011-03-07 20:59:34','',6684,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6684-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0);
INSERT INTO `wptdt_posts` VALUES (6711,1,'2011-03-07 14:59:34','2011-03-07 20:59:34','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"400\" height=\"750\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6658\" /></a>\r\n\r\nDid you know that <a href=\"http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/10/17/top-100-blogs-have-an-average-age-of-338-months/\">the average lifespan of a Top 100 Technorati blog is 33.8 months</a>? And that some put <a href=\"http://trafficcpanel.com/tag/average-life-span/\">the life expectancy of the average blog at much less (3 months)</a>? That\'s why I\'m so proud to be able to say that, as of yesterday, this blog has been going strong for four years and counting. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\nLots of folks asked questions over the weekend about how TDT got started and how it got to be the blog that it is today. The best answer is on <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about\">the About page here on the site</a> - feel free to check it out. \r\n\r\nI also want to say thanks to the many readers who stopped by on Facebook on Sunday to wish the site a happy anniversary. Blogging wouldn\'t be any fun without you. In fact, it\'d basically be me talking to myself on the Internet. Not that there\'s anything wrong with that, but you catch my drift. \r\n\r\nEach of you is like <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-Guys-Burger-Bar/107269035966212\">a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger</a> to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading. ','The TDT Story, Four Years Long','Each of you is like a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading. ','inherit','open','open','','6684-revision-4','','','2011-03-07 14:59:34','2011-03-07 20:59:34','',6684,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6684-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6713,1,'2011-03-07 15:00:02','2011-03-07 21:00:02','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658 aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"400\" /></a>\r\n\r\nDid you know that <a href=\"http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/10/17/top-100-blogs-have-an-average-age-of-338-months/\">the average lifespan of a Top 100 Technorati blog is 33.8 months</a>? And that some put <a href=\"http://trafficcpanel.com/tag/average-life-span/\">the life expectancy of the average blog at much less (3 months)</a>? That\'s why I\'m so proud to be able to say that, as of yesterday, this blog has been going strong for four years and counting.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\nLots of folks asked questions over the weekend about how TDT got started and how it got to be the blog that it is today. The best answer is on <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about\">the About page here on the site</a> - feel free to check it out.\r\n\r\nI also want to say thanks to the many readers who stopped by on Facebook on Sunday to wish the site a happy anniversary. Blogging wouldn\'t be any fun without you. In fact, it\'d basically be me talking to myself on the Internet. Not that there\'s anything wrong with that, but you catch my drift.\r\n\r\nEach of you is like <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-Guys-Burger-Bar/107269035966212\">a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger</a> to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading.','The TDT Story, Four Years Long','Each of you is like a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading. ','inherit','open','open','','6684-revision-6','','','2011-03-07 15:00:02','2011-03-07 21:00:02','',6684,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6684-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6714,1,'2011-03-07 15:00:41','2011-03-07 21:00:41','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658 aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"400\" /></a>\r\n\r\nDid you know that <a href=\"http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/10/17/top-100-blogs-have-an-average-age-of-338-months/\">the average lifespan of a Top 100 Technorati blog is 33.8 months</a>? And that some put <a href=\"http://trafficcpanel.com/tag/average-life-span/\">the life expectancy of the average blog at much less (3 months)</a>? That\'s why I\'m so proud to be able to say that, as of yesterday, this blog has been going strong for four whole years.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\nLots of folks asked questions over the weekend about how TDT got started and how it got to be the blog that it is today. The best answer is on <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about\">the About page here on the site</a> - feel free to check it out.\r\n\r\nI also want to say thanks to the many readers who stopped by on Facebook on Sunday to wish the site a happy anniversary. Blogging wouldn\'t be any fun without you. In fact, it\'d basically be me talking to myself on the Internet. Not that there\'s anything wrong with that, but you catch my drift.\r\n\r\nEach of you is like <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-Guys-Burger-Bar/107269035966212\">a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger</a> to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading.','The TDT Story, Four Years Long','Each of you is like a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading. ','inherit','open','open','','6684-revision-7','','','2011-03-07 15:00:41','2011-03-07 21:00:41','',6684,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6684-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(6715,1,'2011-03-07 15:00:41','2011-03-07 21:00:41','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658 aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"400\" /></a>\r\n\r\nDid you know that <a href=\"http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/10/17/top-100-blogs-have-an-average-age-of-338-months/\">the average lifespan of a Top 100 Technorati blog is 33.8 months</a>? And that some put <a href=\"http://trafficcpanel.com/tag/average-life-span/\">the life expectancy of the average blog at much less (3 months)</a>? That\'s why I\'m so proud to be able to say that, as of yesterday, this blog has been going strong for four whole years.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\nLots of folks asked questions over the weekend about how TDT got started and how it got to be the blog that it is today. The best answer is on <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about\">the About page here on the site</a> - feel free to check it out.\r\n\r\nI also want to say thanks to the many readers who stopped by on Facebook on Sunday to wish the site a happy anniversary. Blogging wouldn\'t be any fun without you. In fact, it\'d basically be me talking to myself on the Internet. Not that there\'s anything wrong with that, but you catch my drift.\r\n\r\nEach of you is like <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-Guys-Burger-Bar/107269035966212\">a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger</a> to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading.','The TDT Story, Four Years Long','Each of you is like a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading. ','inherit','open','open','','6684-revision-8','','','2011-03-07 15:00:41','2011-03-07 21:00:41','',6684,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6684-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6716,1,'2011-03-07 15:01:40','2011-03-07 21:01:40','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658 aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"400\" /></a>\r\n\r\nDid you know that <a href=\"http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/10/17/top-100-blogs-have-an-average-age-of-338-months/\">the average lifespan of a Top 100 Technorati blog is 33.8 months</a>? And that some put <a href=\"http://trafficcpanel.com/tag/average-life-span/\">the life expectancy of the average blog at much less (3 months)</a>? That\'s why I\'m so proud to be able to say that, as of yesterday, this blog has been going strong for four whole years.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\nLots of folks asked questions over the weekend about how TDT got started and how it got to be the blog that it is today. The best answer is on <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about\">the About page here on the site</a> - feel free to check it out.\r\n\r\nI also want to say thanks to the many readers who stopped by on Facebook on Sunday to wish the site a happy anniversary. Blogging wouldn\'t be any fun without you. In fact, it\'d basically be me talking to myself on the Internet. Not that there\'s anything wrong with that, but you catch my drift.\r\n\r\nEach of you is like <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-Guys-Burger-Bar/107269035966212\">a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger</a> to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading.','The TDT Story, Four Years Long','Each of you is like a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading. ','inherit','open','open','','6684-revision-9','','','2011-03-07 15:01:40','2011-03-07 21:01:40','',6684,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6684-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(6717,1,'2011-03-07 15:01:40','2011-03-07 21:01:40','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658 aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"400\" /></a>\r\n\r\nDid you know that <a href=\"http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/10/17/top-100-blogs-have-an-average-age-of-338-months/\">the average lifespan of a Top 100 Technorati blog is 33.8 months</a>? And that some put <a href=\"http://trafficcpanel.com/tag/average-life-span/\">the life expectancy of the average blog at much less (3 months)</a>? That\'s why I\'m so proud to be able to say that, as of yesterday, this blog has been going strong for four whole years.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\nLots of folks asked questions over the weekend about how TDT got started and how it got to be the blog that it is today. The best answer is on <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about\">the About page here on the site</a> - feel free to check it out.\r\n\r\nI also want to say thanks to the many readers who stopped by on Facebook on Sunday to wish the site a happy anniversary. Blogging wouldn\'t be any fun without you. In fact, it\'d basically be me talking to myself on the Internet. Not that there\'s anything wrong with that, but you catch my drift.\r\n\r\nEach of you is like <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-Guys-Burger-Bar/107269035966212\">a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger</a> to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading.','The TDT Story, Four Years Long','Each of you is like a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading. ','inherit','open','open','','6684-revision-10','','','2011-03-07 15:01:40','2011-03-07 21:01:40','',6684,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6684-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(6718,1,'2011-03-07 15:01:54','2011-03-07 21:01:54','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658 aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"400\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\nDid you know that <a href=\"http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/10/17/top-100-blogs-have-an-average-age-of-338-months/\">the average lifespan of a Top 100 Technorati blog is 33.8 months</a>? And that some put <a href=\"http://trafficcpanel.com/tag/average-life-span/\">the life expectancy of the average blog at much less (3 months)</a>? That\'s why I\'m so proud to be able to say that, as of yesterday, this blog has been going strong for four whole years.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\nLots of folks asked questions over the weekend about how TDT got started and how it got to be the blog that it is today. The best answer is on <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about\">the About page here on the site</a> - feel free to check it out.\r\n\r\nI also want to say thanks to the many readers who stopped by on Facebook on Sunday to wish the site a happy anniversary. Blogging wouldn\'t be any fun without you. In fact, it\'d basically be me talking to myself on the Internet. Not that there\'s anything wrong with that, but you catch my drift.\r\n\r\nEach of you is like <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-Guys-Burger-Bar/107269035966212\">a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger</a> to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading.','The TDT Story, Four Years Long','Each of you is like a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading. ','inherit','open','open','','6684-revision-11','','','2011-03-07 15:01:54','2011-03-07 21:01:54','',6684,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6684-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(6719,1,'2011-03-07 16:03:38','2011-03-07 22:03:38','','96th Street Bridge in Jenks from Oklahoma Bridges','','inherit','open','open','','picture-4-6','','','2011-03-07 16:03:38','2011-03-07 22:03:38','',6700,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Picture-41.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6720,1,'2011-03-07 14:42:08','2011-03-07 20:42:08','<img src=\"http://okbridges.wkinsler.com/tulsa_county/photos/bridge_arkansas4a.jpg\" width=\"500\"/>\r\n\r\nOn March 7, the second restaurant in as many months will open along the Arkansas, adding a tally to the score for the west side of the river. \r\n\r\nRead more about the new Waterfront Grill on <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=47&ArticleID=52372&TM=55835.7\">the Food page of this week\'s edition of Tulsa Business Journal</a>. \r\n\r\n<em>Image from <a href=\"http://okbridges.wkinsler.com/\">Oklahoma Bridges</a></em>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>','Waterfront Grill Open in Jenks','On March 7, the second restaurant in as many months will open along the Arkansas, adding a tally to the score for the west side of the river. ','inherit','open','open','','6700-revision-5','','','2011-03-07 14:42:08','2011-03-07 20:42:08','',6700,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6700-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6721,1,'2011-03-08 08:20:06','2011-03-08 14:20:06','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/bluedomemardigrasparade/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6539\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BlueDomeMardiGrasParade-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" title=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6539\" /></a>\n\nMardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. Here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course).\n\n<!--more-->\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\n\n<strong>Mardi Gras at Chicory & Chives </strong>\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, all day\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.chicoryandchives.com/\">Chicory & Chives</a>, 5800 S. Lewis Ave., Suite 129\nMardi Gras starts bright and early at Chicory & Chives, an authentic Cajun restaurant here in Tulsa. A band will strike up at 10:30 in the morning and play through lunch, then return at about 5pm and play the night away. Look for beer and drink specials on everything from Hurricanes to VooDoo-tinis and specials on food like Po\' Boys, étouffée, andouille sausage corndogs and shrimp and grits - plenty on which to eat yourself silly. Beads, masks and giveaways will also be in plentiful supply, and the customer with the best costume tomorrow evening gets a $50 gift certificate good at the restaurant. Yum! \n\nMardi Gras Madness\nWhen: 4 p.m. \nWhere: Hardesty Regional Library\nLooking for something for the kids to do this Mardi Gras? \nCelebrate Fat Tuesday at the library with New Orleans style decorations, music and treats. Decorate a mask or make some Mardi Gras beads.\nThis event is for ages 7-11.\n\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fun Run & Walk</strong>\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.fleetfeettulsa.com/\">Fleet Feet Blue Dome</a>, 2nd and Elgin\nJoin the folks of Fleet Feet Blue Dome for a quick fun run and walk before the big Mardi Gras parade gets started. Everyone is invited and participation is free. After, stay and enjoy the sights.\n\n<strong>Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Quota International</strong>\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.okjazz.org/\">Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame</a>, 111 E. First Street\nThis Fat Tuesday celebration benefits local charities for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and disadvantaged women and children. Get authentic Cajun fare and live, local entertainment while supporting important causes at the same time. \n\n<strong>Marshall Beer Dinner at SMOKE</strong>\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.smoketulsa.com/\">SMOKE</a>, 1542 E. 15th Street\nNo need for beads? Celebrate Fat Tuesday by stuffing yourself silly with fare pared with local craft beer at the new SMOKE on Cherry Street. Plus, diners will be eligible to win a private tour and tasting of Marshall Brewing Company, as well as Marshall merch. Make reservations by calling (918) 949-4440. \n\n<strong>Fat $2 Tuesday with Tulsa Oilers</strong>\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.bokcenter.com/\">BOK Center</a>, 200 S. Denver Ave. \nCelebrate Fat Tuesday with Bud Light and the Tulsa Oilers at the last $2 beer night of the regular season. Plus, the first 1,000 fans will receive free Mardi Gras beads. The Oilers take on arch rival, the Wichita Thunder. Doors open at 6 p.m. After the game, join your favorite players and Ice Girls at Woody\'s Corner Bar on 2nd and Elgin for the Blue Dome District Fat Tuesday Celebration. \n\n<strong>Mardi Gras with The Zuits</strong>\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115916538482618&index=1\">Boulder Grill</a>, 17 W. Seventh Street\nJoin swing band The Zuits at Boulder Grill and, as we like to say on Mardi Gras, let the good times roll.\n\n<strong>Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade</strong>\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.\nWhere: Starting at 1st and Elgin, ending at 2nd and Greenwood, a total of five blocks\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">It was the parade to beat on Mardi Gras 2010</a>, and this year the members of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association are coming together to throw another huge party in downtown Tulsa to celebrate Fat Tuesday.\n\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Party</strong>\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 9 p.m.\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">Enso Bar and Electric Circus</a>, 1st and Detroit\nGoing to be downtown for the Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade? Keep your fancy pants on and head to this party after to revel in the costumes and masks and to dance into the wee hours of the night. DJ Moody will perform at Enso; find the Phoenix Brothers at Electric Circus. Look also for a commemorative photo booth, free beads and other Mardi Gras goodies. No cover. 21 plus. VIP suites and sections available - call (918) 902-6339 for details and to reserve your spot.\n\n<strong>Mardi Gras Party at Elephant Run</strong>\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8\nWhere: <a href=\"http://elephantrun.com/\">Elephant Run</a>, 3141 East Skelly Drive\nFind beads, mask giveaways, $4 Hurricanes and $2 Rattlesnakes at Elephant Run this Fat Tuesday. \n\nIs your favorite Mardi Gras event not on this list? No biggie - we can fix that. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">Send me an e-mail</a> or leave details in the comments. \n\nLaissez les bon temps rouler!\n\n<em>Photo courtesy of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association</em>','Mardi Gras Things To Do In Tulsa 2011','Mardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. From the Blue Dome District to the wineries beyond our city limits, here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course). ','inherit','open','open','','6434-autosave','','','2011-03-08 08:20:06','2011-03-08 14:20:06','',6434,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6434-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6722,1,'2011-03-04 14:24:52','2011-03-04 20:24:52','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/bluedomemardigrasparade/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6539\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BlueDomeMardiGrasParade-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" title=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6539\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. Here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course).\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras at Stone Bluff Vineyard and Winery</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sunday, noon-3 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.stonebluffcellars.com/\">Stone Bluff Vineyard and Winery</a>, 24145 E. 191st Street South in Haskell\r\nIf you can\'t be in New Orleans, you ought to be at Stone Bluff Cellars this weekend for their two-day-long Mardi Gras celebration. Wear your beads and Mardi Gras colors and scoot up to the table for some red beans and rice, Cajun po\' boys, King Cake and more. Call (918) 482-5655 to save your spot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Shopping Cart Parade and Sampling</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, March 5th, 12-3 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"Where: Whole Foods Market, 1401 E. 41st Street\">Whole Foods Market</a>, 1401 E. 41st Street\r\nSample some Mardi Gras-themed foods from each department at Whole Foods today. At 1 p.m., there will be a shopping cart parade through the store, and shoppers can vote for their favorite “floats.”\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras at Tidal School Winery</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, March 5, 2-4 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tidalschool.com/\">Tidal School Winery</a>, 54560 W. HWY 16 in Drumright\r\nGet free wine tastings, wine and cheese pairings, tours and free music in celebration of Mardi Gras today at Tidal School Winery in Drumright. Call 866-258-1903 to save your spot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mary Cogan\'s Mardi Gras Bash</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, March 5, 8 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.okjazz.org/\">Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame</a>, 111 E. First Street\r\nMary Cogan, a well-known name in the Tulsa music scene, is putting on a Mardi Gras-themed show in downtown tonight. See it at the Jazz Hall of Fame. <a href=\"http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?organ_val=2762&amp;pid=6962783\">Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Masquerade at SAX</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, March 5, 9 p.m.\r\nWhere: SAX, 606 S. Elgin Ave.\r\nGet complimentary beads, hats, masks, glasses, gold coins and general rowdiness at SAX Martini Lounge in downtown Tulsa tonight. Look also for a complimentary Cajun buffet including red beans and rice, cornbread, Cajun gumbo, King Cake and $5 Hurricanes.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Taste the Savings for Free</strong>\r\nWhen: Monday, March 7th, 4-7 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"Where: Whole Foods Market, 1401 E. 41st Street\">Whole Foods Market</a>, 1401 E. 41st Street\r\nSample Mardi Gras-themed foods in all of the departments at Whole Foods Market in midtown today.\r\n\r\n<strong>Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.\r\nWhere: Starting at 1st and Elgin, ending at 2nd and Greenwood, a total of five blocks\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">It was the parade to beat on Mardi Gras 2010</a>, and this year the members of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association are coming together to throw another huge party in downtown Tulsa to celebrate Fat Tuesday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 9 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">Enso Bar and Electric Circus</a>, 1st and Detroit\r\nGoing to be downtown for the Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade? Keep your fancy pants on and head to this party after to revel in the costumes and masks and to dance into the wee hours of the night. DJ Moody will perform at Enso; find the Phoenix Brothers at Electric Circus. Look also for a commemorative photo booth, free beads and other Mardi Gras goodies. No cover. 21 plus. VIP suites and sections available - call (918) 902-6339 for details and to reserve your spot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Party at Elephant Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://elephantrun.com/\">Elephant Run</a>, 3141 East Skelly Drive\r\nFind beads, mask giveaways, $4 Hurricanes and $2 Rattlesnakes at Elephant Run this Fat Tuesday. \r\n\r\nIs your favorite Mardi Gras event not on this list? No biggie - we can fix that. Send me an e-mail or leave details in the comments. \r\n\r\nLaissez les bon temps rouler!\r\n\r\n<em>Photo courtesy of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association</em>','Mardi Gras Things To Do In Tulsa 2011','Mardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. From the Blue Dome District to the wineries beyond our city limits, here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course). ','inherit','open','open','','6434-revision-12','','','2011-03-04 14:24:52','2011-03-04 20:24:52','',6434,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6434-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(6724,1,'2011-03-07 16:12:53','2011-03-07 22:12:53','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/bluedomemardigrasparade/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6539\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BlueDomeMardiGrasParade-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" title=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6539\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. Here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course).\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Taste the Savings for Free</strong>\r\nWhen: Monday, March 7th, 4-7 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"Where: Whole Foods Market, 1401 E. 41st Street\">Whole Foods Market</a>, 1401 E. 41st Street\r\nSample Mardi Gras-themed foods in all of the departments at Whole Foods Market in midtown today.\r\n\r\n<strong>Marshall Beer Dinner at SMOKE</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.smoketulsa.com/\">SMOKE</a>, 1542 E. 15th Street\r\nNo need for beads? Celebrate Fat Tuesday by stuffing yourself silly with fare pared with local craft beer at the new SMOKE on Cherry Street. Plus, diners will be eligible to win a private tour and tasting of Marshall Brewing Company, as well as Marshall merch. Make reservations by calling (918) 949-4440. \r\n\r\n<strong>Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.\r\nWhere: Starting at 1st and Elgin, ending at 2nd and Greenwood, a total of five blocks\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">It was the parade to beat on Mardi Gras 2010</a>, and this year the members of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association are coming together to throw another huge party in downtown Tulsa to celebrate Fat Tuesday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 9 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">Enso Bar and Electric Circus</a>, 1st and Detroit\r\nGoing to be downtown for the Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade? Keep your fancy pants on and head to this party after to revel in the costumes and masks and to dance into the wee hours of the night. DJ Moody will perform at Enso; find the Phoenix Brothers at Electric Circus. Look also for a commemorative photo booth, free beads and other Mardi Gras goodies. No cover. 21 plus. VIP suites and sections available - call (918) 902-6339 for details and to reserve your spot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Party at Elephant Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://elephantrun.com/\">Elephant Run</a>, 3141 East Skelly Drive\r\nFind beads, mask giveaways, $4 Hurricanes and $2 Rattlesnakes at Elephant Run this Fat Tuesday. \r\n\r\nIs your favorite Mardi Gras event not on this list? No biggie - we can fix that. Send me an e-mail or leave details in the comments. \r\n\r\nLaissez les bon temps rouler!\r\n\r\n<em>Photo courtesy of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association</em>','Mardi Gras Things To Do In Tulsa 2011','Mardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. From the Blue Dome District to the wineries beyond our city limits, here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course). ','inherit','open','open','','6434-revision-14','','','2011-03-07 16:12:53','2011-03-07 22:12:53','',6434,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6434-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(6725,1,'2011-03-07 16:15:08','2011-03-07 22:15:08','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/bluedomemardigrasparade/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6539\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BlueDomeMardiGrasParade-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" title=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6539\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. Here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course).\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Taste the Savings for Free</strong>\r\nWhen: Monday, March 7th, 4-7 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"Where: Whole Foods Market, 1401 E. 41st Street\">Whole Foods Market</a>, 1401 E. 41st Street\r\nSample Mardi Gras-themed foods in all of the departments at Whole Foods Market in midtown today.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fun Run & Walk</strong>\r\nWhen: 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.fleetfeettulsa.com/\">Fleet Feet Blue Dome</a>, 2nd and Elgin\r\nJoin the folks of Fleet Feet Blue Dome for a quick fun run and walk before the big Mardi Gras parade gets started. Everyone is invited and participation is free. After, stay and enjoy the sights.\r\n\r\n<strong>Marshall Beer Dinner at SMOKE</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.smoketulsa.com/\">SMOKE</a>, 1542 E. 15th Street\r\nNo need for beads? Celebrate Fat Tuesday by stuffing yourself silly with fare pared with local craft beer at the new SMOKE on Cherry Street. Plus, diners will be eligible to win a private tour and tasting of Marshall Brewing Company, as well as Marshall merch. Make reservations by calling (918) 949-4440. \r\n\r\n<strong>Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.\r\nWhere: Starting at 1st and Elgin, ending at 2nd and Greenwood, a total of five blocks\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">It was the parade to beat on Mardi Gras 2010</a>, and this year the members of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association are coming together to throw another huge party in downtown Tulsa to celebrate Fat Tuesday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 9 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">Enso Bar and Electric Circus</a>, 1st and Detroit\r\nGoing to be downtown for the Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade? Keep your fancy pants on and head to this party after to revel in the costumes and masks and to dance into the wee hours of the night. DJ Moody will perform at Enso; find the Phoenix Brothers at Electric Circus. Look also for a commemorative photo booth, free beads and other Mardi Gras goodies. No cover. 21 plus. VIP suites and sections available - call (918) 902-6339 for details and to reserve your spot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Party at Elephant Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://elephantrun.com/\">Elephant Run</a>, 3141 East Skelly Drive\r\nFind beads, mask giveaways, $4 Hurricanes and $2 Rattlesnakes at Elephant Run this Fat Tuesday. \r\n\r\nIs your favorite Mardi Gras event not on this list? No biggie - we can fix that. Send me an e-mail or leave details in the comments. \r\n\r\nLaissez les bon temps rouler!\r\n\r\n<em>Photo courtesy of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association</em>','Mardi Gras Things To Do In Tulsa 2011','Mardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. From the Blue Dome District to the wineries beyond our city limits, here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course). ','inherit','open','open','','6434-revision-15','','','2011-03-07 16:15:08','2011-03-07 22:15:08','',6434,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6434-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(6726,1,'2011-03-07 16:15:09','2011-03-07 22:15:09','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/bluedomemardigrasparade/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6539\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BlueDomeMardiGrasParade-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" title=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6539\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. Here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course).\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Taste the Savings for Free</strong>\r\nWhen: Monday, March 7th, 4-7 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"Where: Whole Foods Market, 1401 E. 41st Street\">Whole Foods Market</a>, 1401 E. 41st Street\r\nSample Mardi Gras-themed foods in all of the departments at Whole Foods Market in midtown today.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fun Run & Walk</strong>\r\nWhen: 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.fleetfeettulsa.com/\">Fleet Feet Blue Dome</a>, 2nd and Elgin\r\nJoin the folks of Fleet Feet Blue Dome for a quick fun run and walk before the big Mardi Gras parade gets started. Everyone is invited and participation is free. After, stay and enjoy the sights.\r\n\r\n<strong>Marshall Beer Dinner at SMOKE</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.smoketulsa.com/\">SMOKE</a>, 1542 E. 15th Street\r\nNo need for beads? Celebrate Fat Tuesday by stuffing yourself silly with fare pared with local craft beer at the new SMOKE on Cherry Street. Plus, diners will be eligible to win a private tour and tasting of Marshall Brewing Company, as well as Marshall merch. Make reservations by calling (918) 949-4440. \r\n\r\n<strong>Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.\r\nWhere: Starting at 1st and Elgin, ending at 2nd and Greenwood, a total of five blocks\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">It was the parade to beat on Mardi Gras 2010</a>, and this year the members of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association are coming together to throw another huge party in downtown Tulsa to celebrate Fat Tuesday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 9 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">Enso Bar and Electric Circus</a>, 1st and Detroit\r\nGoing to be downtown for the Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade? Keep your fancy pants on and head to this party after to revel in the costumes and masks and to dance into the wee hours of the night. DJ Moody will perform at Enso; find the Phoenix Brothers at Electric Circus. Look also for a commemorative photo booth, free beads and other Mardi Gras goodies. No cover. 21 plus. VIP suites and sections available - call (918) 902-6339 for details and to reserve your spot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Party at Elephant Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://elephantrun.com/\">Elephant Run</a>, 3141 East Skelly Drive\r\nFind beads, mask giveaways, $4 Hurricanes and $2 Rattlesnakes at Elephant Run this Fat Tuesday. \r\n\r\nIs your favorite Mardi Gras event not on this list? No biggie - we can fix that. Send me an e-mail or leave details in the comments. \r\n\r\nLaissez les bon temps rouler!\r\n\r\n<em>Photo courtesy of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association</em>','Mardi Gras Things To Do In Tulsa 2011','Mardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. From the Blue Dome District to the wineries beyond our city limits, here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course). ','inherit','open','open','','6434-revision-16','','','2011-03-07 16:15:09','2011-03-07 22:15:09','',6434,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6434-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(6727,1,'2011-03-07 16:28:32','2011-03-07 22:28:32','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/bluedomemardigrasparade/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6539\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BlueDomeMardiGrasParade-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" title=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6539\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. Here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course).\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Taste the Savings for Free</strong>\r\nWhen: Monday, March 7th, 4-7 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"Where: Whole Foods Market, 1401 E. 41st Street\">Whole Foods Market</a>, 1401 E. 41st Street\r\nSample Mardi Gras-themed foods in all of the departments at Whole Foods Market in midtown today.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fun Run & Walk</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.fleetfeettulsa.com/\">Fleet Feet Blue Dome</a>, 2nd and Elgin\r\nJoin the folks of Fleet Feet Blue Dome for a quick fun run and walk before the big Mardi Gras parade gets started. Everyone is invited and participation is free. After, stay and enjoy the sights.\r\n\r\n<strong>Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Quota International</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.okjazz.org/\">Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame</a>, 111 E. First Street\r\nThis Fat Tuesday celebration benefits local charities for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and disadvantaged women and children. Get authentic Cajun fare and live, local entertainment while supporting important causes at the same time. \r\n\r\n<strong>Marshall Beer Dinner at SMOKE</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.smoketulsa.com/\">SMOKE</a>, 1542 E. 15th Street\r\nNo need for beads? Celebrate Fat Tuesday by stuffing yourself silly with fare pared with local craft beer at the new SMOKE on Cherry Street. Plus, diners will be eligible to win a private tour and tasting of Marshall Brewing Company, as well as Marshall merch. Make reservations by calling (918) 949-4440. \r\n\r\n<strong>Fat $2 Tuesday with Tulsa Oilers</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.bokcenter.com/\">BOK Center</a>, 200 S. Denver Ave. \r\nCelebrate Fat Tuesday with Bud Light and the Tulsa Oilers at the last $2 beer night of the regular season. Plus, the first 1,000 fans will receive free Mardi Gras beads. The Oilers take on arch rival, the Wichita Thunder. Doors open at 6 p.m. After the game, join your favorite players and Ice Girls at Woody\'s Corner Bar on 2nd and Elgin for the Blue Dome District Fat Tuesday Celebration. \r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras with The Zuits</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115916538482618&index=1\">Boulder Grill</a>, 17 W. Seventh Street\r\nJoin swing band The Zuits at Boulder Grill and, as we like to say on Mardi Gras, let the good times roll.\r\n\r\n<strong>Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.\r\nWhere: Starting at 1st and Elgin, ending at 2nd and Greenwood, a total of five blocks\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">It was the parade to beat on Mardi Gras 2010</a>, and this year the members of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association are coming together to throw another huge party in downtown Tulsa to celebrate Fat Tuesday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 9 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">Enso Bar and Electric Circus</a>, 1st and Detroit\r\nGoing to be downtown for the Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade? Keep your fancy pants on and head to this party after to revel in the costumes and masks and to dance into the wee hours of the night. DJ Moody will perform at Enso; find the Phoenix Brothers at Electric Circus. Look also for a commemorative photo booth, free beads and other Mardi Gras goodies. No cover. 21 plus. VIP suites and sections available - call (918) 902-6339 for details and to reserve your spot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Party at Elephant Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://elephantrun.com/\">Elephant Run</a>, 3141 East Skelly Drive\r\nFind beads, mask giveaways, $4 Hurricanes and $2 Rattlesnakes at Elephant Run this Fat Tuesday. \r\n\r\nIs your favorite Mardi Gras event not on this list? No biggie - we can fix that. Send me an e-mail or leave details in the comments. \r\n\r\nLaissez les bon temps rouler!\r\n\r\n<em>Photo courtesy of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association</em>','Mardi Gras Things To Do In Tulsa 2011','Mardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. From the Blue Dome District to the wineries beyond our city limits, here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course). ','inherit','open','open','','6434-revision-17','','','2011-03-07 16:28:32','2011-03-07 22:28:32','',6434,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6434-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(6728,1,'2011-03-07 16:28:32','2011-03-07 22:28:32','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/bluedomemardigrasparade/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6539\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BlueDomeMardiGrasParade-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" title=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6539\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. Here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course).\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Taste the Savings for Free</strong>\r\nWhen: Monday, March 7th, 4-7 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"Where: Whole Foods Market, 1401 E. 41st Street\">Whole Foods Market</a>, 1401 E. 41st Street\r\nSample Mardi Gras-themed foods in all of the departments at Whole Foods Market in midtown today.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fun Run & Walk</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.fleetfeettulsa.com/\">Fleet Feet Blue Dome</a>, 2nd and Elgin\r\nJoin the folks of Fleet Feet Blue Dome for a quick fun run and walk before the big Mardi Gras parade gets started. Everyone is invited and participation is free. After, stay and enjoy the sights.\r\n\r\n<strong>Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Quota International</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.okjazz.org/\">Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame</a>, 111 E. First Street\r\nThis Fat Tuesday celebration benefits local charities for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and disadvantaged women and children. Get authentic Cajun fare and live, local entertainment while supporting important causes at the same time. \r\n\r\n<strong>Marshall Beer Dinner at SMOKE</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.smoketulsa.com/\">SMOKE</a>, 1542 E. 15th Street\r\nNo need for beads? Celebrate Fat Tuesday by stuffing yourself silly with fare pared with local craft beer at the new SMOKE on Cherry Street. Plus, diners will be eligible to win a private tour and tasting of Marshall Brewing Company, as well as Marshall merch. Make reservations by calling (918) 949-4440. \r\n\r\n<strong>Fat $2 Tuesday with Tulsa Oilers</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.bokcenter.com/\">BOK Center</a>, 200 S. Denver Ave. \r\nCelebrate Fat Tuesday with Bud Light and the Tulsa Oilers at the last $2 beer night of the regular season. Plus, the first 1,000 fans will receive free Mardi Gras beads. The Oilers take on arch rival, the Wichita Thunder. Doors open at 6 p.m. After the game, join your favorite players and Ice Girls at Woody\'s Corner Bar on 2nd and Elgin for the Blue Dome District Fat Tuesday Celebration. \r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras with The Zuits</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115916538482618&index=1\">Boulder Grill</a>, 17 W. Seventh Street\r\nJoin swing band The Zuits at Boulder Grill and, as we like to say on Mardi Gras, let the good times roll.\r\n\r\n<strong>Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.\r\nWhere: Starting at 1st and Elgin, ending at 2nd and Greenwood, a total of five blocks\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">It was the parade to beat on Mardi Gras 2010</a>, and this year the members of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association are coming together to throw another huge party in downtown Tulsa to celebrate Fat Tuesday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 9 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">Enso Bar and Electric Circus</a>, 1st and Detroit\r\nGoing to be downtown for the Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade? Keep your fancy pants on and head to this party after to revel in the costumes and masks and to dance into the wee hours of the night. DJ Moody will perform at Enso; find the Phoenix Brothers at Electric Circus. Look also for a commemorative photo booth, free beads and other Mardi Gras goodies. No cover. 21 plus. VIP suites and sections available - call (918) 902-6339 for details and to reserve your spot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Party at Elephant Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://elephantrun.com/\">Elephant Run</a>, 3141 East Skelly Drive\r\nFind beads, mask giveaways, $4 Hurricanes and $2 Rattlesnakes at Elephant Run this Fat Tuesday. \r\n\r\nIs your favorite Mardi Gras event not on this list? No biggie - we can fix that. Send me an e-mail or leave details in the comments. \r\n\r\nLaissez les bon temps rouler!\r\n\r\n<em>Photo courtesy of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association</em>','Mardi Gras Things To Do In Tulsa 2011','Mardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. From the Blue Dome District to the wineries beyond our city limits, here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course). ','inherit','open','open','','6434-revision-18','','','2011-03-07 16:28:32','2011-03-07 22:28:32','',6434,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6434-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(6729,1,'2011-03-07 16:32:04','2011-03-07 22:32:04','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/bluedomemardigrasparade/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6539\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BlueDomeMardiGrasParade-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" title=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6539\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. Here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course).\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Taste the Savings for Free</strong>\r\nWhen: Monday, March 7th, 4-7 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"Where: Whole Foods Market, 1401 E. 41st Street\">Whole Foods Market</a>, 1401 E. 41st Street\r\nSample Mardi Gras-themed foods in all of the departments at Whole Foods Market in midtown today.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fun Run & Walk</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.fleetfeettulsa.com/\">Fleet Feet Blue Dome</a>, 2nd and Elgin\r\nJoin the folks of Fleet Feet Blue Dome for a quick fun run and walk before the big Mardi Gras parade gets started. Everyone is invited and participation is free. After, stay and enjoy the sights.\r\n\r\n<strong>Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Quota International</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.okjazz.org/\">Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame</a>, 111 E. First Street\r\nThis Fat Tuesday celebration benefits local charities for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and disadvantaged women and children. Get authentic Cajun fare and live, local entertainment while supporting important causes at the same time. \r\n\r\n<strong>Marshall Beer Dinner at SMOKE</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.smoketulsa.com/\">SMOKE</a>, 1542 E. 15th Street\r\nNo need for beads? Celebrate Fat Tuesday by stuffing yourself silly with fare pared with local craft beer at the new SMOKE on Cherry Street. Plus, diners will be eligible to win a private tour and tasting of Marshall Brewing Company, as well as Marshall merch. Make reservations by calling (918) 949-4440. \r\n\r\n<strong>Fat $2 Tuesday with Tulsa Oilers</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.bokcenter.com/\">BOK Center</a>, 200 S. Denver Ave. \r\nCelebrate Fat Tuesday with Bud Light and the Tulsa Oilers at the last $2 beer night of the regular season. Plus, the first 1,000 fans will receive free Mardi Gras beads. The Oilers take on arch rival, the Wichita Thunder. Doors open at 6 p.m. After the game, join your favorite players and Ice Girls at Woody\'s Corner Bar on 2nd and Elgin for the Blue Dome District Fat Tuesday Celebration. \r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras with The Zuits</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115916538482618&index=1\">Boulder Grill</a>, 17 W. Seventh Street\r\nJoin swing band The Zuits at Boulder Grill and, as we like to say on Mardi Gras, let the good times roll.\r\n\r\n<strong>Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.\r\nWhere: Starting at 1st and Elgin, ending at 2nd and Greenwood, a total of five blocks\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">It was the parade to beat on Mardi Gras 2010</a>, and this year the members of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association are coming together to throw another huge party in downtown Tulsa to celebrate Fat Tuesday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 9 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">Enso Bar and Electric Circus</a>, 1st and Detroit\r\nGoing to be downtown for the Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade? Keep your fancy pants on and head to this party after to revel in the costumes and masks and to dance into the wee hours of the night. DJ Moody will perform at Enso; find the Phoenix Brothers at Electric Circus. Look also for a commemorative photo booth, free beads and other Mardi Gras goodies. No cover. 21 plus. VIP suites and sections available - call (918) 902-6339 for details and to reserve your spot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Party at Elephant Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://elephantrun.com/\">Elephant Run</a>, 3141 East Skelly Drive\r\nFind beads, mask giveaways, $4 Hurricanes and $2 Rattlesnakes at Elephant Run this Fat Tuesday. \r\n\r\nIs your favorite Mardi Gras event not on this list? No biggie - we can fix that. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">Send me an e-mail</a> or leave details in the comments. \r\n\r\nLaissez les bon temps rouler!\r\n\r\n<em>Photo courtesy of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association</em>','Mardi Gras Things To Do In Tulsa 2011','Mardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. From the Blue Dome District to the wineries beyond our city limits, here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course). ','inherit','open','open','','6434-revision-19','','','2011-03-07 16:32:04','2011-03-07 22:32:04','',6434,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6434-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(6730,1,'2011-03-07 19:34:22','2011-03-08 01:34:22','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/low-cost-stress-free-birthday-party-tulsa-kids/dsc_1914/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6731\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC_1914-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Waffle Pajama Birthday Party\" title=\"Waffle Pajama Birthday Party\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6731\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLast weekend I fought tears, took many a deep breath and made approximately five dozen waffles.\r\n\r\nWhy? My baby boy turned three. My sweet, tiny, precious, little man. Three.\r\n\r\nSo, in spite of how heartbroken I get at about this time every year, a party was in order. And today I wrote about how I turned waffles, pajamas and candied bacon into my favorite idea for a kids\' birthday party yet <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/?q=low-cost-almost-stress-free-birthday-party-confessions-work-home-mom\">on my blog at TulsaKids.com</a>. Go see. \r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n','The Low-Cost, (Almost) Stress-Free Birthday Party: Confessions of a Work-at-Home Mom','Last weekend I fought tears, took many a deep breath and made approximately five dozen waffles. Why? My baby boy turned three.','private','open','open','','low-cost-stress-free-birthday-party-tulsa-kids','','','2011-07-10 11:11:31','2011-07-10 17:11:31','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=6730',0,'post','',2),(6731,1,'2011-03-07 19:29:46','2011-03-08 01:29:46','','Waffle Pajama Birthday Party','','inherit','open','open','','dsc_1914','','','2011-03-07 19:29:46','2011-03-08 01:29:46','',6730,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC_1914.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6732,1,'2011-03-07 19:31:48','2011-03-08 01:31:48','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6731\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC_1914-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Waffle Pajama Birthday Party\" title=\"Waffle Pajama Birthday Party\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6731\" /></a>\n\nLast weekend I fought tears, took many a deep breath and made approximately five dozen waffles.\n\nWhy? My baby boy turned three. My sweet, tiny, precious, little man. Three.\n\nSo, in spite of how heartbroken I get at about this time every year, a party was in order. I wrote about how I turned waffles, pajamas and candied bacon into my favorite idea for a kids\' birthday party yet <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/?q=low-cost-almost-stress-free-birthday-party-confessions-work-home-mom\">on my blog at TulsaKids.com</a>.  \n\n','The Low-Cost, (Almost) Stress-Free Birthday Party: Confessions of a Work-at-Home Mom','Last weekend I fought tears, took many a deep breath and made approximately five dozen waffles.\n\nWhy? My baby boy turned three.','inherit','open','open','','6730-revision','','','2011-03-07 19:31:48','2011-03-08 01:31:48','',6730,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6730-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6733,1,'2011-03-07 19:33:30','2011-03-08 01:33:30','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6731\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC_1914-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Waffle Pajama Birthday Party\" title=\"Waffle Pajama Birthday Party\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6731\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLast weekend I fought tears, took many a deep breath and made approximately five dozen waffles.\r\n\r\nWhy? My baby boy turned three. My sweet, tiny, precious, little man. Three.\r\n\r\nSo, in spite of how heartbroken I get at about this time every year, a party was in order. I wrote about how I turned waffles, pajamas and candied bacon into my favorite idea for a kids\' birthday party yet <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/?q=low-cost-almost-stress-free-birthday-party-confessions-work-home-mom\">on my blog at TulsaKids.com</a>.  \r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n','The Low-Cost, (Almost) Stress-Free Birthday Party: Confessions of a Work-at-Home Mom','Last weekend I fought tears, took many a deep breath and made approximately five dozen waffles. Why? My baby boy turned three.','inherit','open','open','','6730-revision-2','','','2011-03-07 19:33:30','2011-03-08 01:33:30','',6730,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6730-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6734,1,'2011-03-07 19:33:30','2011-03-08 01:33:30','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6731\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC_1914-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Waffle Pajama Birthday Party\" title=\"Waffle Pajama Birthday Party\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6731\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLast weekend I fought tears, took many a deep breath and made approximately five dozen waffles.\r\n\r\nWhy? My baby boy turned three. My sweet, tiny, precious, little man. Three.\r\n\r\nSo, in spite of how heartbroken I get at about this time every year, a party was in order. I wrote about how I turned waffles, pajamas and candied bacon into my favorite idea for a kids\' birthday party yet <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/?q=low-cost-almost-stress-free-birthday-party-confessions-work-home-mom\">on my blog at TulsaKids.com</a>.  \r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n','The Low-Cost, (Almost) Stress-Free Birthday Party: Confessions of a Work-at-Home Mom','Last weekend I fought tears, took many a deep breath and made approximately five dozen waffles. Why? My baby boy turned three.','inherit','open','open','','6730-revision-3','','','2011-03-07 19:33:30','2011-03-08 01:33:30','',6730,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6730-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6735,1,'2011-03-07 19:34:22','2011-03-08 01:34:22','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6731\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/DSC_1914-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Waffle Pajama Birthday Party\" title=\"Waffle Pajama Birthday Party\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6731\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLast weekend I fought tears, took many a deep breath and made approximately five dozen waffles.\r\n\r\nWhy? My baby boy turned three. My sweet, tiny, precious, little man. Three.\r\n\r\nSo, in spite of how heartbroken I get at about this time every year, a party was in order. And today I wrote about how I turned waffles, pajamas and candied bacon into my favorite idea for a kids\' birthday party yet <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/?q=low-cost-almost-stress-free-birthday-party-confessions-work-home-mom\">on my blog at TulsaKids.com</a>. Go see. \r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n','The Low-Cost, (Almost) Stress-Free Birthday Party: Confessions of a Work-at-Home Mom','Last weekend I fought tears, took many a deep breath and made approximately five dozen waffles. Why? My baby boy turned three.','inherit','open','open','','6730-revision-4','','','2011-03-07 19:34:22','2011-03-08 01:34:22','',6730,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6730-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6736,1,'2011-03-07 16:32:04','2011-03-07 22:32:04','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/bluedomemardigrasparade/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6539\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BlueDomeMardiGrasParade-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" title=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6539\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. Here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course).\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Taste the Savings for Free</strong>\r\nWhen: Monday, March 7th, 4-7 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"Where: Whole Foods Market, 1401 E. 41st Street\">Whole Foods Market</a>, 1401 E. 41st Street\r\nSample Mardi Gras-themed foods in all of the departments at Whole Foods Market in midtown today.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fun Run & Walk</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.fleetfeettulsa.com/\">Fleet Feet Blue Dome</a>, 2nd and Elgin\r\nJoin the folks of Fleet Feet Blue Dome for a quick fun run and walk before the big Mardi Gras parade gets started. Everyone is invited and participation is free. After, stay and enjoy the sights.\r\n\r\n<strong>Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Quota International</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.okjazz.org/\">Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame</a>, 111 E. First Street\r\nThis Fat Tuesday celebration benefits local charities for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and disadvantaged women and children. Get authentic Cajun fare and live, local entertainment while supporting important causes at the same time. \r\n\r\n<strong>Marshall Beer Dinner at SMOKE</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.smoketulsa.com/\">SMOKE</a>, 1542 E. 15th Street\r\nNo need for beads? Celebrate Fat Tuesday by stuffing yourself silly with fare pared with local craft beer at the new SMOKE on Cherry Street. Plus, diners will be eligible to win a private tour and tasting of Marshall Brewing Company, as well as Marshall merch. Make reservations by calling (918) 949-4440. \r\n\r\n<strong>Fat $2 Tuesday with Tulsa Oilers</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.bokcenter.com/\">BOK Center</a>, 200 S. Denver Ave. \r\nCelebrate Fat Tuesday with Bud Light and the Tulsa Oilers at the last $2 beer night of the regular season. Plus, the first 1,000 fans will receive free Mardi Gras beads. The Oilers take on arch rival, the Wichita Thunder. Doors open at 6 p.m. After the game, join your favorite players and Ice Girls at Woody\'s Corner Bar on 2nd and Elgin for the Blue Dome District Fat Tuesday Celebration. \r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras with The Zuits</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115916538482618&index=1\">Boulder Grill</a>, 17 W. Seventh Street\r\nJoin swing band The Zuits at Boulder Grill and, as we like to say on Mardi Gras, let the good times roll.\r\n\r\n<strong>Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.\r\nWhere: Starting at 1st and Elgin, ending at 2nd and Greenwood, a total of five blocks\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">It was the parade to beat on Mardi Gras 2010</a>, and this year the members of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association are coming together to throw another huge party in downtown Tulsa to celebrate Fat Tuesday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 9 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">Enso Bar and Electric Circus</a>, 1st and Detroit\r\nGoing to be downtown for the Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade? Keep your fancy pants on and head to this party after to revel in the costumes and masks and to dance into the wee hours of the night. DJ Moody will perform at Enso; find the Phoenix Brothers at Electric Circus. Look also for a commemorative photo booth, free beads and other Mardi Gras goodies. No cover. 21 plus. VIP suites and sections available - call (918) 902-6339 for details and to reserve your spot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Party at Elephant Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://elephantrun.com/\">Elephant Run</a>, 3141 East Skelly Drive\r\nFind beads, mask giveaways, $4 Hurricanes and $2 Rattlesnakes at Elephant Run this Fat Tuesday. \r\n\r\nIs your favorite Mardi Gras event not on this list? No biggie - we can fix that. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">Send me an e-mail</a> or leave details in the comments. \r\n\r\nLaissez les bon temps rouler!\r\n\r\n<em>Photo courtesy of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association</em>','Mardi Gras Things To Do In Tulsa 2011','Mardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. From the Blue Dome District to the wineries beyond our city limits, here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course). ','inherit','open','open','','6434-revision-20','','','2011-03-07 16:32:04','2011-03-07 22:32:04','',6434,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6434-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(6743,1,'2011-03-08 08:04:14','2011-03-08 14:04:14','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/bluedomemardigrasparade/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6539\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BlueDomeMardiGrasParade-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" title=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6539\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. Here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course).\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras at Chicory & Chives </strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, all day\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.chicoryandchives.com/\">Chicory & Chives</a>, 5800 S. Lewis Ave., Suite 129\r\nMardi Gras starts bright and early at Chicory & Chives, an authentic Cajun restaurant here in Tulsa. A band will strike up at 10:30 in the morning and play through lunch, then return at about 5pm and play the night away. Look for beer and drink specials on everything from Hurricanes to VooDoo-tinis and specials on food like Po\' Boys, étouffée, andouille sausage corndogs and shrimp and grits - plenty on which to eat yourself silly. Beads, masks and giveaways will also be in plentiful supply, and the customer with the best costume tomorrow evening gets a $50 gift certificate good at the restaurant. Yum! \r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fun Run & Walk</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.fleetfeettulsa.com/\">Fleet Feet Blue Dome</a>, 2nd and Elgin\r\nJoin the folks of Fleet Feet Blue Dome for a quick fun run and walk before the big Mardi Gras parade gets started. Everyone is invited and participation is free. After, stay and enjoy the sights.\r\n\r\n<strong>Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Quota International</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.okjazz.org/\">Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame</a>, 111 E. First Street\r\nThis Fat Tuesday celebration benefits local charities for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and disadvantaged women and children. Get authentic Cajun fare and live, local entertainment while supporting important causes at the same time. \r\n\r\n<strong>Marshall Beer Dinner at SMOKE</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.smoketulsa.com/\">SMOKE</a>, 1542 E. 15th Street\r\nNo need for beads? Celebrate Fat Tuesday by stuffing yourself silly with fare pared with local craft beer at the new SMOKE on Cherry Street. Plus, diners will be eligible to win a private tour and tasting of Marshall Brewing Company, as well as Marshall merch. Make reservations by calling (918) 949-4440. \r\n\r\n<strong>Fat $2 Tuesday with Tulsa Oilers</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.bokcenter.com/\">BOK Center</a>, 200 S. Denver Ave. \r\nCelebrate Fat Tuesday with Bud Light and the Tulsa Oilers at the last $2 beer night of the regular season. Plus, the first 1,000 fans will receive free Mardi Gras beads. The Oilers take on arch rival, the Wichita Thunder. Doors open at 6 p.m. After the game, join your favorite players and Ice Girls at Woody\'s Corner Bar on 2nd and Elgin for the Blue Dome District Fat Tuesday Celebration. \r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras with The Zuits</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115916538482618&index=1\">Boulder Grill</a>, 17 W. Seventh Street\r\nJoin swing band The Zuits at Boulder Grill and, as we like to say on Mardi Gras, let the good times roll.\r\n\r\n<strong>Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.\r\nWhere: Starting at 1st and Elgin, ending at 2nd and Greenwood, a total of five blocks\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">It was the parade to beat on Mardi Gras 2010</a>, and this year the members of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association are coming together to throw another huge party in downtown Tulsa to celebrate Fat Tuesday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 9 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">Enso Bar and Electric Circus</a>, 1st and Detroit\r\nGoing to be downtown for the Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade? Keep your fancy pants on and head to this party after to revel in the costumes and masks and to dance into the wee hours of the night. DJ Moody will perform at Enso; find the Phoenix Brothers at Electric Circus. Look also for a commemorative photo booth, free beads and other Mardi Gras goodies. No cover. 21 plus. VIP suites and sections available - call (918) 902-6339 for details and to reserve your spot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Party at Elephant Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://elephantrun.com/\">Elephant Run</a>, 3141 East Skelly Drive\r\nFind beads, mask giveaways, $4 Hurricanes and $2 Rattlesnakes at Elephant Run this Fat Tuesday. \r\n\r\nIs your favorite Mardi Gras event not on this list? No biggie - we can fix that. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">Send me an e-mail</a> or leave details in the comments. \r\n\r\nLaissez les bon temps rouler!\r\n\r\n<em>Photo courtesy of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association</em>','Mardi Gras Things To Do In Tulsa 2011','Mardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. From the Blue Dome District to the wineries beyond our city limits, here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course). ','inherit','open','open','','6434-revision-23','','','2011-03-08 08:04:14','2011-03-08 14:04:14','',6434,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6434-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(6737,1,'2011-03-07 19:42:53','2011-03-08 01:42:53','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/bluedomemardigrasparade/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6539\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BlueDomeMardiGrasParade-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" title=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6539\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. Here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course).\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Taste the Savings for Free</strong>\r\nWhen: Monday, March 7th, 4-7 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"Where: Whole Foods Market, 1401 E. 41st Street\">Whole Foods Market</a>, 1401 E. 41st Street\r\nSample Mardi Gras-themed foods in all of the departments at Whole Foods Market in midtown today.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras at Chicory & Chives </strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, all day\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.chicoryandchives.com/\">Chicory & Chives</a>, 5800 S. Lewis Ave., Suite 129\r\nMardi Gras starts bright and early at Chicory & Chives, an authentic Cajun restaurant here in Tulsa. A band will strike up at 10:30 in the morning and play through lunch, then return at about 5pm and play the night away. Look for beer and drink specials on everything from Hurricanes to VooDoo-tinis and specials on food like Po\' Boys, étouffée, andouille sausage corndogs and shrimp and grits - plenty on which to eat yourself silly. Beads, masks and giveaways will also be in plentiful supply, and the customer with the best costume tomorrow evening gets a $50 gift certificate good at the restaurant. Yum! \r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fun Run & Walk</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.fleetfeettulsa.com/\">Fleet Feet Blue Dome</a>, 2nd and Elgin\r\nJoin the folks of Fleet Feet Blue Dome for a quick fun run and walk before the big Mardi Gras parade gets started. Everyone is invited and participation is free. After, stay and enjoy the sights.\r\n\r\n<strong>Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Quota International</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.okjazz.org/\">Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame</a>, 111 E. First Street\r\nThis Fat Tuesday celebration benefits local charities for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and disadvantaged women and children. Get authentic Cajun fare and live, local entertainment while supporting important causes at the same time. \r\n\r\n<strong>Marshall Beer Dinner at SMOKE</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.smoketulsa.com/\">SMOKE</a>, 1542 E. 15th Street\r\nNo need for beads? Celebrate Fat Tuesday by stuffing yourself silly with fare pared with local craft beer at the new SMOKE on Cherry Street. Plus, diners will be eligible to win a private tour and tasting of Marshall Brewing Company, as well as Marshall merch. Make reservations by calling (918) 949-4440. \r\n\r\n<strong>Fat $2 Tuesday with Tulsa Oilers</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.bokcenter.com/\">BOK Center</a>, 200 S. Denver Ave. \r\nCelebrate Fat Tuesday with Bud Light and the Tulsa Oilers at the last $2 beer night of the regular season. Plus, the first 1,000 fans will receive free Mardi Gras beads. The Oilers take on arch rival, the Wichita Thunder. Doors open at 6 p.m. After the game, join your favorite players and Ice Girls at Woody\'s Corner Bar on 2nd and Elgin for the Blue Dome District Fat Tuesday Celebration. \r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras with The Zuits</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115916538482618&index=1\">Boulder Grill</a>, 17 W. Seventh Street\r\nJoin swing band The Zuits at Boulder Grill and, as we like to say on Mardi Gras, let the good times roll.\r\n\r\n<strong>Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.\r\nWhere: Starting at 1st and Elgin, ending at 2nd and Greenwood, a total of five blocks\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">It was the parade to beat on Mardi Gras 2010</a>, and this year the members of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association are coming together to throw another huge party in downtown Tulsa to celebrate Fat Tuesday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 9 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">Enso Bar and Electric Circus</a>, 1st and Detroit\r\nGoing to be downtown for the Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade? Keep your fancy pants on and head to this party after to revel in the costumes and masks and to dance into the wee hours of the night. DJ Moody will perform at Enso; find the Phoenix Brothers at Electric Circus. Look also for a commemorative photo booth, free beads and other Mardi Gras goodies. No cover. 21 plus. VIP suites and sections available - call (918) 902-6339 for details and to reserve your spot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Party at Elephant Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://elephantrun.com/\">Elephant Run</a>, 3141 East Skelly Drive\r\nFind beads, mask giveaways, $4 Hurricanes and $2 Rattlesnakes at Elephant Run this Fat Tuesday. \r\n\r\nIs your favorite Mardi Gras event not on this list? No biggie - we can fix that. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">Send me an e-mail</a> or leave details in the comments. \r\n\r\nLaissez les bon temps rouler!\r\n\r\n<em>Photo courtesy of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association</em>','Mardi Gras Things To Do In Tulsa 2011','Mardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. From the Blue Dome District to the wineries beyond our city limits, here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course). ','inherit','open','open','','6434-revision-21','','','2011-03-07 19:42:53','2011-03-08 01:42:53','',6434,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6434-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(6738,1,'2011-03-07 19:55:29','2011-03-08 01:55:29','','About Tasha Does Tulsa Arnies Bar','','inherit','open','open','','arnies','','','2011-03-07 19:55:29','2011-03-08 01:55:29','',6684,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Arnies.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6739,1,'2011-03-07 15:01:54','2011-03-07 21:01:54','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658 aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"400\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\nDid you know that <a href=\"http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/10/17/top-100-blogs-have-an-average-age-of-338-months/\">the average lifespan of a Top 100 Technorati blog is 33.8 months</a>? And that some put <a href=\"http://trafficcpanel.com/tag/average-life-span/\">the life expectancy of the average blog at much less (3 months)</a>? That\'s why I\'m so proud to be able to say that, as of yesterday, this blog has been going strong for four whole years.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\nLots of folks asked questions over the weekend about how TDT got started and how it got to be the blog that it is today. The best answer is on <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about\">the About page here on the site</a> - feel free to check it out.\r\n\r\nI also want to say thanks to the many readers who stopped by on Facebook on Sunday to wish the site a happy anniversary. Blogging wouldn\'t be any fun without you. In fact, it\'d basically be me talking to myself on the Internet. Not that there\'s anything wrong with that, but you catch my drift.\r\n\r\nEach of you is like <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-Guys-Burger-Bar/107269035966212\">a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger</a> to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading.','The TDT Story, Four Years Long','Each of you is like a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading. ','inherit','open','open','','6684-revision-12','','','2011-03-07 15:01:54','2011-03-07 21:01:54','',6684,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6684-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(6740,1,'2011-03-07 19:55:51','2011-03-08 01:55:51','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6658\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about/traditional-natasha026large/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-6658 aligncenter\" title=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Traditional-Natasha026large-500x750.jpg\" alt=\"Tasha Does Tulsa Profile\" width=\"400\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\nDid you know that <a href=\"http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/10/17/top-100-blogs-have-an-average-age-of-338-months/\">the average lifespan of a Top 100 Technorati blog is 33.8 months</a>? And that some put <a href=\"http://trafficcpanel.com/tag/average-life-span/\">the life expectancy of the average blog at much less (3 months)</a>? That\'s why I\'m so proud to be able to say that, as of yesterday, this blog has been going strong for four whole years.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\nLots of folks asked questions over the weekend about how TDT got started and how it got to be the blog that it is today. The best answer is on <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/about\">the About page here on the site</a> - feel free to check it out.\r\n\r\nI also want to say thanks to the many readers who stopped by on Facebook on Sunday to wish the site a happy anniversary. Blogging wouldn\'t be any fun without you. In fact, it\'d basically be me talking to myself on the Internet. Not that there\'s anything wrong with that, but you catch my drift.\r\n\r\nEach of you is like <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-Guys-Burger-Bar/107269035966212\">a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger</a> to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading.','The TDT Story, Four Years Long','Each of you is like a mini Thai bacon peanut butter burger to me - delicious, spicy and oh-so-sexy. Thanks so much for reading. ','inherit','open','open','','6684-revision-13','','','2011-03-07 19:55:51','2011-03-08 01:55:51','',6684,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6684-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(6741,1,'2010-02-16 15:30:00','2010-02-16 15:30:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img src=\"http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs187.snc3/19475_108538959160413_100000129279744_220973_6737004_n.jpg\" /></div><br /><a href=\"http://www.ensobar.com/mardigras.html\">There\'s no better place in Tulsa to do your Fat Tuesday thing tonight than the Blue Dome District this year. </a>Thanks to the Blue Dome Merchants Association\'s inaugural Mardi Gras parade and the parties going on at the individual Blue Dome restaurants and venues, it\'ll&nbsp;be like having Bourbon Street in your own backyard.<br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br />We\'re talking everything from a parade (complete with floats, of course) to jazz music to corner beer troughs to specials at all of the Blue Dome\'s hottest hot spots. <b>It all gets started between Fourth, Greenwood, Detroit and the tracks at 7pm</b>.<br /><br />Once the parade wraps - <a href=\"http://www.ensobar.com/MARDI%20GRAS%20PARADE%20ROUTE.pdf\">it\'ll get started at First and Greenwood, by the way (click here for a complete parade route)</a> - the streets of the Blue Dome District will remain closed until midnight. Several great bands will take over, performing in the District’s restaurants and bars. It\'ll be a street party to rival any going on in ol\' New Orleans this Fat Tuesday.<br /><br />Here\'s the short list of what\'s going on after the parade in the hottest of the Blue Dome venues.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3819859070/\" title=\"Second and Elgin, Downtown Tulsa, Blue Dome District by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Second and Elgin, Downtown Tulsa, Blue Dome District\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2595/3819859070_85d4aab6f2.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br /><b><a href=\"http://mcnellies.com/\">McNellies</a>&nbsp;</b><br />Where: 409 E. First Street<br /><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: normal;\">Hurricanes might not be a dime a dozen here in Okie-homa like they are on the east coast and in the Gulf, but they are just $5 all night long at McNellies on Fat Tuesday.&nbsp;</span></b><br /><br /><b><a href=\"http://elguaposcantina.net/\">El Guapos</a></b><br />Where: 332 E. First Street<br /><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: normal;\">It\'s always all about tacos on Tuesdays at El Guapos, and Fat Tuesday is no different. Get $1 tacos and $2 Tecate all night long. Plus, get $3 Bohemia, $5 Cazadores tequila shots and $6 Cazadores Margaritas.</span></b><br /><br /><b><a href=\"http://joemommas.com/\">Joe Momma\'s</a></b><br />Where: 112 S. Elgin Ave.<br />The Zuits! Enough said. Plus, Joe Momma\'s will be churning out noms from its Cajun-themed menu, created to celebrate the occasion of the first Mardi Gras parade in the Blue Dome District. Get $2 PBR Tall Boys, $1 Miller High Life and $2 Miller Light and Coors Light cans.<br /><br /><b><a href=\"http://dwellingspaces.net/\">Dwelling Spaces</a></b><br />Where: 119 S. Detroit Ave.<br /><b></b>Get your kicks on Route 66 and your Mardi Gras beads at Dwelling Spaces. Plus, see Klondike 5. I hear Dwelling Spaces owner Mary Beth Babcock really pulled out the stops in putting together her float for the parade. Get a load of this: An eight-foot robot, the Route 66 Blue Whale, a Rabbit, a Bear, Edison High School\'s Drum Corps, Tulsa Drillers mascot HORNSBY (who just moved to the Blue Dome District recently), and the Tulsa 66ers Dancers. Wow, Mary Beth. Your float sounds like it could be the entire parade.<br /><br /><b><a href=\"http://ensobar.com/\">Enso</a></b><br />Where: 230 E. First Street<br />Heady P and Dub Nasty will perform. Plus, get $4 SoCo Lime shots, $2 PBR and $4 Abita beers.<br /><br /><b><a href=\"http://yokozunatulsa.com/\">Yokozuna</a></b><br /><b></b>Where: 309 E. Second Street<br />Karaoke, baby! All night long. Plus, get Estrella Beer for $3 and Bull Frog cocktails - a mix of Jeremiah Weed (sweet tea-flavored vodka), lemonade and tart cherry juice - for  $6. I don\'t know about y\'all, but I think I\'m gonna have to try one of those Bull Frogs.<br /><br /><b><a href=\"http://myspace.com/bluedomediner\">Blue Dome Diner</a></b><br /><b></b>Where: 311 E. Second Street<br />If you thought the Blue Dome Diner could do breakfast, just wait until you see what they can do with a Cajun-inspired menu. Get beer specials all day and music from the band Ego Culture, a New Orleans Reggae Funk outfit. They\'ll start at 9pm.<br /><br /><b><a href=\"http://www.arniesbar.com/\">Arnies</a></b><br /><b></b>Where: 318 E. Second Street<br />Get $2.50 PBRs and $3.00 Coronas. Yum.<br /><br />This inaugural Mardi Gras parade is thanks to the BDMA, which teamed up with the likes of Coors Light, Miller Light, <a href=\"http://urbantulsa.com/\">Urban Tulsa Weekly</a>, <a href=\"http://okeq.org/\">Oklahomans for Equality and the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center</a> to put on what promises to be one hell of a show. <br /><br />Be there or regret it for at least the next 40 days and nights. Where in the Blue Dome will I see you tonight?','How to Do Fat Tuesday in Tulsa','','inherit','open','open','','468-revision','','','2010-02-16 15:30:00','2010-02-16 15:30:00','',468,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/02/468-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6742,1,'2011-03-07 19:42:53','2011-03-08 01:42:53','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/bluedomemardigrasparade/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6539\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BlueDomeMardiGrasParade-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" title=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6539\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. Here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course).\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Taste the Savings for Free</strong>\r\nWhen: Monday, March 7th, 4-7 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"Where: Whole Foods Market, 1401 E. 41st Street\">Whole Foods Market</a>, 1401 E. 41st Street\r\nSample Mardi Gras-themed foods in all of the departments at Whole Foods Market in midtown today.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras at Chicory & Chives </strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, all day\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.chicoryandchives.com/\">Chicory & Chives</a>, 5800 S. Lewis Ave., Suite 129\r\nMardi Gras starts bright and early at Chicory & Chives, an authentic Cajun restaurant here in Tulsa. A band will strike up at 10:30 in the morning and play through lunch, then return at about 5pm and play the night away. Look for beer and drink specials on everything from Hurricanes to VooDoo-tinis and specials on food like Po\' Boys, étouffée, andouille sausage corndogs and shrimp and grits - plenty on which to eat yourself silly. Beads, masks and giveaways will also be in plentiful supply, and the customer with the best costume tomorrow evening gets a $50 gift certificate good at the restaurant. Yum! \r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fun Run & Walk</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.fleetfeettulsa.com/\">Fleet Feet Blue Dome</a>, 2nd and Elgin\r\nJoin the folks of Fleet Feet Blue Dome for a quick fun run and walk before the big Mardi Gras parade gets started. Everyone is invited and participation is free. After, stay and enjoy the sights.\r\n\r\n<strong>Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Quota International</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.okjazz.org/\">Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame</a>, 111 E. First Street\r\nThis Fat Tuesday celebration benefits local charities for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and disadvantaged women and children. Get authentic Cajun fare and live, local entertainment while supporting important causes at the same time. \r\n\r\n<strong>Marshall Beer Dinner at SMOKE</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.smoketulsa.com/\">SMOKE</a>, 1542 E. 15th Street\r\nNo need for beads? Celebrate Fat Tuesday by stuffing yourself silly with fare pared with local craft beer at the new SMOKE on Cherry Street. Plus, diners will be eligible to win a private tour and tasting of Marshall Brewing Company, as well as Marshall merch. Make reservations by calling (918) 949-4440. \r\n\r\n<strong>Fat $2 Tuesday with Tulsa Oilers</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.bokcenter.com/\">BOK Center</a>, 200 S. Denver Ave. \r\nCelebrate Fat Tuesday with Bud Light and the Tulsa Oilers at the last $2 beer night of the regular season. Plus, the first 1,000 fans will receive free Mardi Gras beads. The Oilers take on arch rival, the Wichita Thunder. Doors open at 6 p.m. After the game, join your favorite players and Ice Girls at Woody\'s Corner Bar on 2nd and Elgin for the Blue Dome District Fat Tuesday Celebration. \r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras with The Zuits</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115916538482618&index=1\">Boulder Grill</a>, 17 W. Seventh Street\r\nJoin swing band The Zuits at Boulder Grill and, as we like to say on Mardi Gras, let the good times roll.\r\n\r\n<strong>Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.\r\nWhere: Starting at 1st and Elgin, ending at 2nd and Greenwood, a total of five blocks\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">It was the parade to beat on Mardi Gras 2010</a>, and this year the members of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association are coming together to throw another huge party in downtown Tulsa to celebrate Fat Tuesday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 9 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">Enso Bar and Electric Circus</a>, 1st and Detroit\r\nGoing to be downtown for the Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade? Keep your fancy pants on and head to this party after to revel in the costumes and masks and to dance into the wee hours of the night. DJ Moody will perform at Enso; find the Phoenix Brothers at Electric Circus. Look also for a commemorative photo booth, free beads and other Mardi Gras goodies. No cover. 21 plus. VIP suites and sections available - call (918) 902-6339 for details and to reserve your spot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Party at Elephant Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://elephantrun.com/\">Elephant Run</a>, 3141 East Skelly Drive\r\nFind beads, mask giveaways, $4 Hurricanes and $2 Rattlesnakes at Elephant Run this Fat Tuesday. \r\n\r\nIs your favorite Mardi Gras event not on this list? No biggie - we can fix that. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">Send me an e-mail</a> or leave details in the comments. \r\n\r\nLaissez les bon temps rouler!\r\n\r\n<em>Photo courtesy of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association</em>','Mardi Gras Things To Do In Tulsa 2011','Mardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. From the Blue Dome District to the wineries beyond our city limits, here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course). ','inherit','open','open','','6434-revision-22','','','2011-03-07 19:42:53','2011-03-08 01:42:53','',6434,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6434-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(6744,1,'2011-03-08 08:04:14','2011-03-08 14:04:14','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/bluedomemardigrasparade/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6539\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BlueDomeMardiGrasParade-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" title=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6539\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. Here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course).\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras at Chicory & Chives </strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, all day\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.chicoryandchives.com/\">Chicory & Chives</a>, 5800 S. Lewis Ave., Suite 129\r\nMardi Gras starts bright and early at Chicory & Chives, an authentic Cajun restaurant here in Tulsa. A band will strike up at 10:30 in the morning and play through lunch, then return at about 5pm and play the night away. Look for beer and drink specials on everything from Hurricanes to VooDoo-tinis and specials on food like Po\' Boys, étouffée, andouille sausage corndogs and shrimp and grits - plenty on which to eat yourself silly. Beads, masks and giveaways will also be in plentiful supply, and the customer with the best costume tomorrow evening gets a $50 gift certificate good at the restaurant. Yum! \r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fun Run & Walk</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.fleetfeettulsa.com/\">Fleet Feet Blue Dome</a>, 2nd and Elgin\r\nJoin the folks of Fleet Feet Blue Dome for a quick fun run and walk before the big Mardi Gras parade gets started. Everyone is invited and participation is free. After, stay and enjoy the sights.\r\n\r\n<strong>Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Quota International</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.okjazz.org/\">Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame</a>, 111 E. First Street\r\nThis Fat Tuesday celebration benefits local charities for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and disadvantaged women and children. Get authentic Cajun fare and live, local entertainment while supporting important causes at the same time. \r\n\r\n<strong>Marshall Beer Dinner at SMOKE</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.smoketulsa.com/\">SMOKE</a>, 1542 E. 15th Street\r\nNo need for beads? Celebrate Fat Tuesday by stuffing yourself silly with fare pared with local craft beer at the new SMOKE on Cherry Street. Plus, diners will be eligible to win a private tour and tasting of Marshall Brewing Company, as well as Marshall merch. Make reservations by calling (918) 949-4440. \r\n\r\n<strong>Fat $2 Tuesday with Tulsa Oilers</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.bokcenter.com/\">BOK Center</a>, 200 S. Denver Ave. \r\nCelebrate Fat Tuesday with Bud Light and the Tulsa Oilers at the last $2 beer night of the regular season. Plus, the first 1,000 fans will receive free Mardi Gras beads. The Oilers take on arch rival, the Wichita Thunder. Doors open at 6 p.m. After the game, join your favorite players and Ice Girls at Woody\'s Corner Bar on 2nd and Elgin for the Blue Dome District Fat Tuesday Celebration. \r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras with The Zuits</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115916538482618&index=1\">Boulder Grill</a>, 17 W. Seventh Street\r\nJoin swing band The Zuits at Boulder Grill and, as we like to say on Mardi Gras, let the good times roll.\r\n\r\n<strong>Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.\r\nWhere: Starting at 1st and Elgin, ending at 2nd and Greenwood, a total of five blocks\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">It was the parade to beat on Mardi Gras 2010</a>, and this year the members of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association are coming together to throw another huge party in downtown Tulsa to celebrate Fat Tuesday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 9 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">Enso Bar and Electric Circus</a>, 1st and Detroit\r\nGoing to be downtown for the Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade? Keep your fancy pants on and head to this party after to revel in the costumes and masks and to dance into the wee hours of the night. DJ Moody will perform at Enso; find the Phoenix Brothers at Electric Circus. Look also for a commemorative photo booth, free beads and other Mardi Gras goodies. No cover. 21 plus. VIP suites and sections available - call (918) 902-6339 for details and to reserve your spot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Party at Elephant Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://elephantrun.com/\">Elephant Run</a>, 3141 East Skelly Drive\r\nFind beads, mask giveaways, $4 Hurricanes and $2 Rattlesnakes at Elephant Run this Fat Tuesday. \r\n\r\nIs your favorite Mardi Gras event not on this list? No biggie - we can fix that. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">Send me an e-mail</a> or leave details in the comments. \r\n\r\nLaissez les bon temps rouler!\r\n\r\n<em>Photo courtesy of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association</em>','Mardi Gras Things To Do In Tulsa 2011','Mardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. From the Blue Dome District to the wineries beyond our city limits, here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course). ','inherit','open','open','','6434-revision-24','','','2011-03-08 08:04:14','2011-03-08 14:04:14','',6434,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6434-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(6745,1,'2011-03-08 08:20:41','2011-03-08 14:20:41','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/bluedomemardigrasparade/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6539\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BlueDomeMardiGrasParade-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" title=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6539\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. Here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course).\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras at Chicory & Chives </strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, all day\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.chicoryandchives.com/\">Chicory & Chives</a>, 5800 S. Lewis Ave., Suite 129\r\nMardi Gras starts bright and early at Chicory & Chives, an authentic Cajun restaurant here in Tulsa. A band will strike up at 10:30 in the morning and play through lunch, then return at about 5pm and play the night away. Look for beer and drink specials on everything from Hurricanes to VooDoo-tinis and specials on food like Po\' Boys, étouffée, andouille sausage corndogs and shrimp and grits - plenty on which to eat yourself silly. Beads, masks and giveaways will also be in plentiful supply, and the customer with the best costume tomorrow evening gets a $50 gift certificate good at the restaurant. Yum! \r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Madness</strong>\r\nWhen: 4 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsalibrary.org/eventguide/\">Hardesty Regional Library</a>, 8316 E. 93rd St.\r\nLooking for something for the kids to do this Mardi Gras? Let them celebrate Fat Tuesday at the library with New Orleans style decorations, music and treats. Decorate a mask or make some Mardi Gras beads. This event is for ages 7-11.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fun Run & Walk</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.fleetfeettulsa.com/\">Fleet Feet Blue Dome</a>, 2nd and Elgin\r\nJoin the folks of Fleet Feet Blue Dome for a quick fun run and walk before the big Mardi Gras parade gets started. Everyone is invited and participation is free. After, stay and enjoy the sights.\r\n\r\n<strong>Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Quota International</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.okjazz.org/\">Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame</a>, 111 E. First Street\r\nThis Fat Tuesday celebration benefits local charities for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and disadvantaged women and children. Get authentic Cajun fare and live, local entertainment while supporting important causes at the same time. \r\n\r\n<strong>Marshall Beer Dinner at SMOKE</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.smoketulsa.com/\">SMOKE</a>, 1542 E. 15th Street\r\nNo need for beads? Celebrate Fat Tuesday by stuffing yourself silly with fare pared with local craft beer at the new SMOKE on Cherry Street. Plus, diners will be eligible to win a private tour and tasting of Marshall Brewing Company, as well as Marshall merch. Make reservations by calling (918) 949-4440. \r\n\r\n<strong>Fat $2 Tuesday with Tulsa Oilers</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.bokcenter.com/\">BOK Center</a>, 200 S. Denver Ave. \r\nCelebrate Fat Tuesday with Bud Light and the Tulsa Oilers at the last $2 beer night of the regular season. Plus, the first 1,000 fans will receive free Mardi Gras beads. The Oilers take on arch rival, the Wichita Thunder. Doors open at 6 p.m. After the game, join your favorite players and Ice Girls at Woody\'s Corner Bar on 2nd and Elgin for the Blue Dome District Fat Tuesday Celebration. \r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras with The Zuits</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115916538482618&index=1\">Boulder Grill</a>, 17 W. Seventh Street\r\nJoin swing band The Zuits at Boulder Grill and, as we like to say on Mardi Gras, let the good times roll.\r\n\r\n<strong>Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.\r\nWhere: Starting at 1st and Elgin, ending at 2nd and Greenwood, a total of five blocks\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">It was the parade to beat on Mardi Gras 2010</a>, and this year the members of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association are coming together to throw another huge party in downtown Tulsa to celebrate Fat Tuesday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 9 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">Enso Bar and Electric Circus</a>, 1st and Detroit\r\nGoing to be downtown for the Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade? Keep your fancy pants on and head to this party after to revel in the costumes and masks and to dance into the wee hours of the night. DJ Moody will perform at Enso; find the Phoenix Brothers at Electric Circus. Look also for a commemorative photo booth, free beads and other Mardi Gras goodies. No cover. 21 plus. VIP suites and sections available - call (918) 902-6339 for details and to reserve your spot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Party at Elephant Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://elephantrun.com/\">Elephant Run</a>, 3141 East Skelly Drive\r\nFind beads, mask giveaways, $4 Hurricanes and $2 Rattlesnakes at Elephant Run this Fat Tuesday. \r\n\r\nIs your favorite Mardi Gras event not on this list? No biggie - we can fix that. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">Send me an e-mail</a> or leave details in the comments. \r\n\r\nLaissez les bon temps rouler!\r\n\r\n<em>Photo courtesy of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association</em>','Mardi Gras Things To Do In Tulsa 2011','Mardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. From the Blue Dome District to the wineries beyond our city limits, here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course). ','inherit','open','open','','6434-revision-25','','','2011-03-08 08:20:41','2011-03-08 14:20:41','',6434,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6434-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(6747,1,'2011-03-08 08:20:41','2011-03-08 14:20:41','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/bluedomemardigrasparade/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6539\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BlueDomeMardiGrasParade-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" title=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6539\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. Here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course).\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras at Chicory & Chives </strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, all day\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.chicoryandchives.com/\">Chicory & Chives</a>, 5800 S. Lewis Ave., Suite 129\r\nMardi Gras starts bright and early at Chicory & Chives, an authentic Cajun restaurant here in Tulsa. A band will strike up at 10:30 in the morning and play through lunch, then return at about 5pm and play the night away. Look for beer and drink specials on everything from Hurricanes to VooDoo-tinis and specials on food like Po\' Boys, étouffée, andouille sausage corndogs and shrimp and grits - plenty on which to eat yourself silly. Beads, masks and giveaways will also be in plentiful supply, and the customer with the best costume tomorrow evening gets a $50 gift certificate good at the restaurant. Yum! \r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Madness</strong>\r\nWhen: 4 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsalibrary.org/eventguide/\">Hardesty Regional Library</a>, 8316 E. 93rd St.\r\nLooking for something for the kids to do this Mardi Gras? Let them celebrate Fat Tuesday at the library with New Orleans style decorations, music and treats. Decorate a mask or make some Mardi Gras beads. This event is for ages 7-11.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fun Run & Walk</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.fleetfeettulsa.com/\">Fleet Feet Blue Dome</a>, 2nd and Elgin\r\nJoin the folks of Fleet Feet Blue Dome for a quick fun run and walk before the big Mardi Gras parade gets started. Everyone is invited and participation is free. After, stay and enjoy the sights.\r\n\r\n<strong>Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Quota International</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.okjazz.org/\">Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame</a>, 111 E. First Street\r\nThis Fat Tuesday celebration benefits local charities for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and disadvantaged women and children. Get authentic Cajun fare and live, local entertainment while supporting important causes at the same time. \r\n\r\n<strong>Marshall Beer Dinner at SMOKE</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.smoketulsa.com/\">SMOKE</a>, 1542 E. 15th Street\r\nNo need for beads? Celebrate Fat Tuesday by stuffing yourself silly with fare pared with local craft beer at the new SMOKE on Cherry Street. Plus, diners will be eligible to win a private tour and tasting of Marshall Brewing Company, as well as Marshall merch. Make reservations by calling (918) 949-4440. \r\n\r\n<strong>Fat $2 Tuesday with Tulsa Oilers</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.bokcenter.com/\">BOK Center</a>, 200 S. Denver Ave. \r\nCelebrate Fat Tuesday with Bud Light and the Tulsa Oilers at the last $2 beer night of the regular season. Plus, the first 1,000 fans will receive free Mardi Gras beads. The Oilers take on arch rival, the Wichita Thunder. Doors open at 6 p.m. After the game, join your favorite players and Ice Girls at Woody\'s Corner Bar on 2nd and Elgin for the Blue Dome District Fat Tuesday Celebration. \r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras with The Zuits</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115916538482618&index=1\">Boulder Grill</a>, 17 W. Seventh Street\r\nJoin swing band The Zuits at Boulder Grill and, as we like to say on Mardi Gras, let the good times roll.\r\n\r\n<strong>Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.\r\nWhere: Starting at 1st and Elgin, ending at 2nd and Greenwood, a total of five blocks\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">It was the parade to beat on Mardi Gras 2010</a>, and this year the members of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association are coming together to throw another huge party in downtown Tulsa to celebrate Fat Tuesday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 9 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">Enso Bar and Electric Circus</a>, 1st and Detroit\r\nGoing to be downtown for the Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade? Keep your fancy pants on and head to this party after to revel in the costumes and masks and to dance into the wee hours of the night. DJ Moody will perform at Enso; find the Phoenix Brothers at Electric Circus. Look also for a commemorative photo booth, free beads and other Mardi Gras goodies. No cover. 21 plus. VIP suites and sections available - call (918) 902-6339 for details and to reserve your spot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Party at Elephant Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://elephantrun.com/\">Elephant Run</a>, 3141 East Skelly Drive\r\nFind beads, mask giveaways, $4 Hurricanes and $2 Rattlesnakes at Elephant Run this Fat Tuesday. \r\n\r\nIs your favorite Mardi Gras event not on this list? No biggie - we can fix that. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">Send me an e-mail</a> or leave details in the comments. \r\n\r\nLaissez les bon temps rouler!\r\n\r\n<em>Photo courtesy of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association</em>','Mardi Gras Things To Do In Tulsa 2011','Mardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. From the Blue Dome District to the wineries beyond our city limits, here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course). ','inherit','open','open','','6434-revision-26','','','2011-03-08 08:20:41','2011-03-08 14:20:41','',6434,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6434-revision-26/',0,'revision','',0),(6748,1,'2011-03-08 08:30:47','2011-03-08 14:30:47','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/bluedomemardigrasparade/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6539\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BlueDomeMardiGrasParade-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" title=\"Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6539\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. Here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course).\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras at Chicory & Chives </strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, all day\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.chicoryandchives.com/\">Chicory & Chives</a>, 5800 S. Lewis Ave., Suite 129\r\nMardi Gras starts bright and early at Chicory & Chives, an authentic Cajun restaurant here in Tulsa. A band will strike up at 10:30 in the morning and play through lunch, then return at about 5pm and play the night away. Look for beer and drink specials on everything from Hurricanes to VooDoo-tinis and specials on food like Po\' Boys, étouffée, andouille sausage corndogs and shrimp and grits - plenty on which to eat yourself silly. Beads, masks and giveaways will also be in plentiful supply, and the customer with the best costume tomorrow evening gets a $50 gift certificate good at the restaurant. Yum! \r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Madness</strong>\r\nWhen: 4 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsalibrary.org/eventguide/\">Hardesty Regional Library</a>, 8316 E. 93rd St.\r\nLooking for something for the kids to do this Mardi Gras? Let them celebrate Fat Tuesday at the library with New Orleans style decorations, music and treats. Decorate a mask or make some Mardi Gras beads. This event is for ages 7-11.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fun Run & Walk</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.fleetfeettulsa.com/\">Fleet Feet Blue Dome</a>, 2nd and Elgin\r\nJoin the folks of Fleet Feet Blue Dome for a quick fun run and walk before the big Mardi Gras parade gets started. Everyone is invited and participation is free. After, stay and enjoy the sights.\r\n\r\n<strong>Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Quota International</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8th, 6 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.okjazz.org/\">Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame</a>, 111 E. First Street\r\nThis Fat Tuesday celebration benefits local charities for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and disadvantaged women and children. Get authentic Cajun fare and live, local entertainment while supporting important causes at the same time. Tickets are $40. \r\n\r\n<strong>Marshall Beer Dinner at SMOKE</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.smoketulsa.com/\">SMOKE</a>, 1542 E. 15th Street\r\nNo need for beads? Celebrate Fat Tuesday by stuffing yourself silly with fare pared with local craft beer at the new SMOKE on Cherry Street. Plus, diners will be eligible to win a private tour and tasting of Marshall Brewing Company, as well as Marshall merch. Make reservations by calling (918) 949-4440. \r\n\r\n<strong>Fat $2 Tuesday with Tulsa Oilers</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.bokcenter.com/\">BOK Center</a>, 200 S. Denver Ave. \r\nCelebrate Fat Tuesday with Bud Light and the Tulsa Oilers at the last $2 beer night of the regular season. Plus, the first 1,000 fans will receive free Mardi Gras beads. The Oilers take on arch rival, the Wichita Thunder. Doors open at 6 p.m. After the game, join your favorite players and Ice Girls at Woody\'s Corner Bar on 2nd and Elgin for the Blue Dome District Fat Tuesday Celebration. \r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras with The Zuits</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. \r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115916538482618&index=1\">Boulder Grill</a>, 17 W. Seventh Street\r\nJoin swing band The Zuits at Boulder Grill and, as we like to say on Mardi Gras, let the good times roll.\r\n\r\n<strong>Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.\r\nWhere: Starting at 1st and Elgin, ending at 2nd and Greenwood, a total of five blocks\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">It was the parade to beat on Mardi Gras 2010</a>, and this year the members of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association are coming together to throw another huge party in downtown Tulsa to celebrate Fat Tuesday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8, 9 p.m.\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsamardigras.com/\">Enso Bar and Electric Circus</a>, 1st and Detroit\r\nGoing to be downtown for the Blue Dome District Mardi Gras Parade? Keep your fancy pants on and head to this party after to revel in the costumes and masks and to dance into the wee hours of the night. DJ Moody will perform at Enso; find the Phoenix Brothers at Electric Circus. Look also for a commemorative photo booth, free beads and other Mardi Gras goodies. No cover. 21 plus. VIP suites and sections available - call (918) 902-6339 for details and to reserve your spot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mardi Gras Party at Elephant Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, March 8\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://elephantrun.com/\">Elephant Run</a>, 3141 East Skelly Drive\r\nFind beads, mask giveaways, $4 Hurricanes and $2 Rattlesnakes at Elephant Run this Fat Tuesday. \r\n\r\nIs your favorite Mardi Gras event not on this list? No biggie - we can fix that. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">Send me an e-mail</a> or leave details in the comments. \r\n\r\nLaissez les bon temps rouler!\r\n\r\n<em>Photo courtesy of the Blue Dome District Merchants\' Association</em>','Mardi Gras Things To Do In Tulsa 2011','Mardi Gras - did you know that\'s French for Fat Tuesday? - is here, Tulsa. From the Blue Dome District to the wineries beyond our city limits, here\'s where to party (and collect copious amounts of beads, of course). ','inherit','open','open','','6434-revision-27','','','2011-03-08 08:30:47','2011-03-08 14:30:47','',6434,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6434-revision-27/',0,'revision','',0),(7587,1,'2011-04-11 15:47:56','2011-04-11 21:47:56','<img title=\"Pedestrian Bridge at River Parks Tulsa Oklahoma\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC06456-500x666.jpg\" alt=\"Pedestrian Bridge at River Parks Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"400\" />\n\nWho is Tulsa? If Tulsa was a person, how would you describe him or her? Musical? Artsy? Sporty? Foodie? Something else?\n\nThat\'s the question Blake Ewing, the owner of several downtown businesses, has been exploring over the course of a few posts at his blog, <a href=\"http://www.blakeewing.com/\">BlakeEwing.com</a>.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nBlake\'s posts - or essays, rather - have gone viral, at least on the local Web, landing on at least <a href=\"http://www.batesline.com/archives/2011/04/added-to-the-blogroll.html\">two popular Tulsa blogs</a> (and <a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/\">here</a>) and on the feeds of several influential local Twitter users.\n<h3>What\'s In The Blake Ewing Posts</h3>\nProbably the most circulated post thus far would be <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?, a post from early February calling for stronger, more cooperative leadership in our city government</a>:\n<blockquote>I can’t help but be frustrated. I feel like most of the work I do is somehow related to the betterment of our fine city, so it’s tough to want so badly for our elected officials to provide a strong foundation for us and to feel like there’s no new hope for that. I feel like our people want to be inspired. They want a vision for a better Tulsa. They want to believe that we can do what so many cities have done in recent years. We can reinvent ourselves. We can enhance our existing attributes, mitigate our weakness, and create new attractions and amenities for Tulsa and its visitors to enjoy. The public is looking for leadership and they are not finding it.\n\nInstead, it seems, we are forced to deal with nagging political roadblock and short-sighted politicians who can’t seem to figure out that what they’re doing now is not what’s best for Tulsa....\n\n...I will continue to believe in a better city and I will continue to hope that our city leaders will rise to lead us. I keep feeling that there’s this whole other side to the job that has to do with people. It’s emotional. It’s relational. The job is so much more than just making policy and taking care of business. They clearly know this. It must be the reason for the long winded speeches directed at the TGOV cameras. They’re trying to communicate with us. They’re just doing it all wrong. Those speeches in council meetings are worthless. They don’t count. They don’t inspire. They frustrate.</blockquote>\nHe continues with the same theme in his next post, dated about a month later:\n<blockquote>I’m absolutely in love with [Tulsa\'s] potential. It’s painful to feel like I can close my eyes and see the Tulsa we should be, but we lack the infrastructure, vision, or synergy to get us there.\n\nI’m not blaming our city’s leaders for the way things are. If we’re not happy, it’s because we’ve let it be this way. If you are happy with things, I’d ask you to look at the city as a whole. Are we achieving our potential? Is the lifestyle you’re enjoying going to be sustained or will the shortcomings in other parts of the city eventually infringe on the things you currently appreciate and enjoy. While our neighboring cities were growing, developing, and improving, we were slow to the party...Tulsans have struggled to see the big picture and therefore have done the very human thing of asking, “what’s in it for me?”\n\n...if you’re completely happy with the way things are, that doesn’t exempt you. In order to get to keep what you have, you’re going to have to act. The city is changing and your lifestyle, be it a suburban or an urban one, is going to be threatened. It’s time to think past the end of the driveway for a minute. The city in which we’ve chosen to live, and in which we want our children to want to live, needs our help.</blockquote>\nThe latest installation is a post called <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/grow-up-tulsa-grow-up-tulsa/\">Grow Up, Tulsa. Grow Up Tulsa</a>, focused on the first steps of a process Blake calls, \"making Tulsa a grown-up city.\" He begins by suggesting that Tulsa should compare itself to other cities and use their examples to reverse engineer where Tulsa would like to be. He writes that grown-up cities:\n\nTake advantage of their resources and promote their assets;\nThey attract and retain creative people;\nThey provide basic amenities;\nTheir local government provides sound infrastructure and supports development;\nThey have a vibrant urban core;\nThey celebrate small local business.\n\nHere\'s where he\'s left things for now:\n<blockquote>A defined set of goals and values for our city would help those types of things to be more frequent. If we could get all of the major parties with a stake or a say-so (city council, mayor, TMAPC, INCOG, chambers of commerce, school boards, neighborhood associations, state reps and senators, US reps and senators, and entrepreneurs and developers) to push everything through the same set of filters, I think we’d see marked improvement as a city in a hurry. If at every level we had to ask the question “Is this what a grown-up city would do?” we might start seeing a different type of behavior across the board. I know it’s a little cheesy, but it’s the principle that’s important. I’m trying to communicate that we really can stop wasting time with silly bickering and minute policy making and start getting to work growing up.</blockquote>\nBlake\'s blogging has generated a variety of responses, some in the form of new groups looking to better champion Tulsa as well as requests that he run in the next mayoral election.\n\nEven if you differ with Blake on the particulars, what he has to say is worth our time, thoughts and conversation.\n<h3>So, Let The Conversation Begin</h3>\nI agree that there\'s value in well-defined common goals, comparing Tulsa to other cities and envisioning from such a comparison what our city could be.\n\nWhat I think is more important, though, is first living fully into our city as it presently exists and what it has to offer today, right now.\n\nThat means checking out local parks, attractions and events rather than parking ourselves and our families on the couch in front of the TV night after night, or refusing to enjoy what Tulsa has to offer until we get an IKEA, a major theme park or other such development. It\'s choosing local businesses over chains and big-box outlets whenever possible. It\'s hosting block parties in our neighborhoods when it would be easier to keep to ourselves.\n\nI think that\'s where our identity comes from, and I think it\'s why so many of us sense such malaise in the momentum of the progression of our city. Urban sprawl and all that goes along with it has been the slippery slope on which Tulsa and many other mid-sized cities across the country have found themselves since the American dream of homeownership and the white picket fence life went on deep discount here in the states after World War II.\n\nCities are like people in that each has its own personality, but also like people, we can\'t assign traits and attributes to them like we can storage boxes with a label maker. Great cities grow into their identities as a function of culture, history and place, and when it\'s a great thing, it\'s an organic process. It doesn\'t come from a marketing campaign or an elite, exclusive group of citizens with big plans and deep pockets. It truly is a community endeavor, and while it\'s bound to be fragmented and messy and disobedient to timelines and mission statements, it begins with our kids, our neighborhoods and how we vote by how we spend our dollars.\n\nPeople aren\'t kidding when they say Tulsa is a great place to raise a family and that it\'s a top choice for retiring, relocating baby boomers. But how many of those cities can also claim to also be the birthplace of Route 66? Or home to dozens upon dozens of Native American cultures, one of the most diverse sets of tribes in the country? Or the home of one of the largest collections of art deco architecture in the world? Or a place where world-class museums, ballet, opera and theatre companies can pack entertainment venues just up the street from bursting-at-the-seams guns and arms shows, rodeos and state fairs?\n\nLet\'s choose to own these things. Let\'s learn about and experience it all. Then, let\'s teach our children about it, work to instill in them a sense of pride in their histories and in their community. Let\'s start telling our stories. If we\'re convinced we don\'t have any, then let\'s get to work on writing some.\n\nTo refuse the richness that a sense of place can imbue in our lives and in the lives of our families is a two-fold death. It creates in the citizenry a numbness which can tolerate only convenience, routine and sameness, each of which has effects of its own on the world around us and on the human spirit. It also silences the identity of a place. If we refuse to learn about the history of where we plant our feet, our kids and our homes and build on that in our own ways and with our own stories, any piece of rock on which we settle is just like any other piece of rock. It becomes nowhere. A no-place.\n\nThat\'s where I think Tulsa\'s chance to sparkle lies, in investing in the city as it exists now with our time, experiences and, yeah, our resources - essentially, by creating and sharing our stories with one another and with everyone we meet when we\'re not at home. That\'s where the cool factor is gonna start. That\'s where things like river development by Tulsa\'s own businesses, drop-ins by the major, sought-after entertainment, tourist-worthy arts and music scenes, huge companies that employ lots of people, a vibrant young creatives class and a bustling downtown start. Who we are has to actually match what we want others to know about us.\n<h3>What Say You?</h3>\nBlake - a man who truly loves this city and walks the walk in just about every way imaginable - set forth his vision for the city. I used this blog post to do the same.\n\nBut I want I know - what do you think? Who/what do you think Tulsa is? How does that compare with what you\'d like to see Tulsa become over the course of the next generation or two? How do we get there? What are you willing to do as a Tulsan to both write and tell the city\'s story? Let\'s chat in the comments.','Who Is Tulsa?','','inherit','open','open','','7570-revision-16','','','2011-04-11 15:47:56','2011-04-11 21:47:56','',7570,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/04/7570-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(7585,1,'2011-04-11 15:46:24','2011-04-11 21:46:24','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-1952\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=1952\"><strong>They provide basic amenities.</strong>\r\n<img title=\"Pedestrian Bridge at River Parks Tulsa Oklahoma\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC06456-500x666.jpg\" alt=\"Pedestrian Bridge at River Parks Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"400\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWho is Tulsa? If Tulsa was a person, how would you describe him or her? Musical? Artsy? Sporty? Foodie? Something else?\r\n\r\nThat\'s the question Blake Ewing, the owner of several downtown businesses, has been exploring over the course of a few posts at his blog, <a href=\"http://www.blakeewing.com/\">BlakeEwing.com</a>.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nBlake\'s posts - or essays, rather - have gone viral, at least on the local Web, landing on at least <a href=\"http://www.batesline.com/archives/2011/04/added-to-the-blogroll.html\">two popular Tulsa blogs</a> (and <a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/\">here</a>) and on the feeds of several influential local Twitter users.\r\n\r\n<h3>What\'s In The Blake Ewing Posts</h3>\r\n\r\nProbably the most circulated post thus far would be <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?, a post from early February calling for stronger, more cooperative leadership in our city government</a>:\r\n<blockquote>I can’t help but be frustrated. I feel like most of the work I do is somehow related to the betterment of our fine city, so it’s tough to want so badly for our elected officials to provide a strong foundation for us and to feel like there’s no new hope for that. I feel like our people want to be inspired. They want a vision for a better Tulsa. They want to believe that we can do what so many cities have done in recent years. We can reinvent ourselves. We can enhance our existing attributes, mitigate our weakness, and create new attractions and amenities for Tulsa and its visitors to enjoy. The public is looking for leadership and they are not finding it.\r\n\r\nInstead, it seems, we are forced to deal with nagging political roadblock and short-sighted politicians who can’t seem to figure out that what they’re doing now is not what’s best for Tulsa....\r\n\r\n...I will continue to believe in a better city and I will continue to hope that our city leaders will rise to lead us. I keep feeling that there’s this whole other side to the job that has to do with people. It’s emotional. It’s relational. The job is so much more than just making policy and taking care of business. They clearly know this. It must be the reason for the long winded speeches directed at the TGOV cameras. They’re trying to communicate with us. They’re just doing it all wrong. Those speeches in council meetings are worthless. They don’t count. They don’t inspire. They frustrate.</blockquote>\r\nHe continues with the same theme in his next post, dated about a month later:\r\n<blockquote>I’m absolutely in love with [Tulsa\'s] potential. It’s painful to feel like I can close my eyes and see the Tulsa we should be, but we lack the infrastructure, vision, or synergy to get us there.\r\n\r\nI’m not blaming our city’s leaders for the way things are. If we’re not happy, it’s because we’ve let it be this way. If you are happy with things, I’d ask you to look at the city as a whole. Are we achieving our potential? Is the lifestyle you’re enjoying going to be sustained or will the shortcomings in other parts of the city eventually infringe on the things you currently appreciate and enjoy. While our neighboring cities were growing, developing, and improving, we were slow to the party...Tulsans have struggled to see the big picture and therefore have done the very human thing of asking, “what’s in it for me?”\r\n\r\n...if you’re completely happy with the way things are, that doesn’t exempt you. In order to get to keep what you have, you’re going to have to act. The city is changing and your lifestyle, be it a suburban or an urban one, is going to be threatened. It’s time to think past the end of the driveway for a minute. The city in which we’ve chosen to live, and in which we want our children to want to live, needs our help.</blockquote>\r\nThe latest installation is a post called <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/grow-up-tulsa-grow-up-tulsa/\">Grow Up, Tulsa. Grow Up Tulsa</a>, focused on the first steps of a process Blake calls, \"making Tulsa a grown-up city.\" He begins by suggesting that Tulsa should compare itself to other cities and use their examples to reverse engineer where Tulsa would like to be. He writes that grown-up cities:\r\n\r\nTake advantage of their resources and promote their assets;\r\nThey attract and retain creative people;\r\nThey provide basic amenities; \r\nTheir local government provides sound infrastructure and supports development;\r\nThey have a vibrant urban core;\r\nThey celebrate small local business.\r\n\r\nHere\'s where he\'s left things for now: \r\n\r\n<blockquote>A defined set of goals and values for our city would help those types of things to be more frequent. If we could get all of the major parties with a stake or a say-so (city council, mayor, TMAPC, INCOG, chambers of commerce, school boards, neighborhood associations, state reps and senators, US reps and senators, and entrepreneurs and developers) to push everything through the same set of filters, I think we’d see marked improvement as a city in a hurry. If at every level we had to ask the question “Is this what a grown-up city would do?” we might start seeing a different type of behavior across the board. I know it’s a little cheesy, but it’s the principle that’s important. I’m trying to communicate that we really can stop wasting time with silly bickering and minute policy making and start getting to work growing up.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nBlake\'s blogging has generated a variety of responses, some in the form of new groups looking to better champion Tulsa as well as requests that he run in the next mayoral election.\r\n\r\nEven if you differ with Blake on the particulars, what he has to say is worth our time, thoughts and conversation. \r\n\r\n<h3>So, Let The Conversation Begin</h3>\r\n\r\nI agree that there\'s value in well-defined common goals, comparing Tulsa to other cities and envisioning from such a comparison what our city could be. \r\n\r\nWhat I think is more important, though, is first living fully into our city as it presently exists and what it has to offer today, right now.\r\n\r\nThat means checking out local parks, attractions and events rather than parking ourselves and our families on the couch in front of the TV night after night, or refusing to enjoy what Tulsa has to offer until we get an IKEA, a major theme park or other such development. It\'s choosing local businesses over chains and big-box outlets whenever possible. It\'s hosting block parties in our neighborhoods when it would be easier to keep to ourselves.\r\n\r\nI think that\'s where our identity comes from, and I think it\'s why so many of us sense such malaise in the momentum of the progression of our city. Urban sprawl and all that goes along with it has been the slippery slope on which Tulsa and many other mid-sized cities across the country have found themselves since the American dream of homeownership and the white picket fence life went on deep discount here in the states after World War II. \r\n\r\nCities are like people in that each has its own personality, but also like people, we can\'t assign traits and attributes to them like we can storage boxes with a label maker. Great cities grow into their identities as a function of culture, history and place, and when it\'s a great thing, it\'s an organic process. It doesn\'t come from a marketing campaign or an elite, exclusive group of citizens with big plans and deep pockets. It truly is a community endeavor, and while it\'s bound to be fragmented and messy and disobedient to timelines and mission statements, it begins with our kids, our neighborhoods and how we vote by how we spend our dollars.\r\n\r\nPeople aren\'t kidding when they say Tulsa is a great place to raise a family and that it\'s a top choice for retiring, relocating baby boomers. But how many of those cities can also claim to also be the birthplace of Route 66? Or home to dozens upon dozens of Native American cultures, one of the most diverse sets of tribes in the country? Or the home of one of the largest collections of art deco architecture in the world? Or a place where world-class museums, ballet, opera and theatre companies can pack entertainment venues just up the street from bursting-at-the-seams guns and arms shows, rodeos and state fairs?\r\n\r\nLet\'s choose to own these things. Let\'s learn about and experience it all. Then, let\'s teach our children about it, work to instill in them a sense of pride in their histories and in their community. Let\'s start telling our stories. If we\'re convinced we don\'t have any, then let\'s get to work on writing some.\r\n\r\nTo refuse the richness that a sense of place can imbue in our lives and in the lives of our families is a two-fold death. It creates in the citizenry a numbness which can tolerate only convenience, routine and sameness, each of which has effects of its own on the world around us and on the human spirit. It also silences the identity of a place. If we refuse to learn about the history of where we plant our feet, our kids and our homes and build on that in our own ways and with our own stories, any piece of rock on which we settle is just like any other piece of rock. It becomes nowhere. A no-place.\r\n\r\nThat\'s where I think Tulsa\'s chance to sparkle lies, in investing in the city as it exists now with our time, experiences and, yeah, our resources - essentially, by creating and sharing our stories with one another and with everyone we meet when we\'re not at home. That\'s where the cool factor is gonna start. That\'s where things like river development by Tulsa\'s own businesses, drop-ins by the major, sought-after entertainment, tourist-worthy arts and music scenes, huge companies that employ lots of people, a vibrant young creatives class and a bustling downtown start. Who we are has to actually match what we want others to know about us.\r\n\r\n<h3>What Say You?</h3>\r\n\r\nBlake - a man who truly loves this city and walks the walk in just about every way imaginable - set forth his vision for the city. I used this blog post to do the same. \r\n\r\nBut I want I know - what do you think? Who/what do you think Tulsa is? How does that compare with what you\'d like to see Tulsa become over the course of the next generation or two? How do we get there? What are you willing to do as a Tulsan to both write and tell the city\'s story? Let\'s chat in the comments. ','Who Is Tulsa?','','inherit','open','open','','7570-revision-14','','','2011-04-11 15:46:24','2011-04-11 21:46:24','',7570,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/04/7570-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(6753,1,'2011-03-08 08:00:08','2011-03-08 14:00:08','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6754\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/a-birds-eye-view-falconry-has-enjoyed-a-resurgence-of-popularity-in-the-sooner-state/jeremycharlesrules/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6754 aligncenter\" title=\"Falconry Jeremy Charles Oklahoma Magazine\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/JeremyCharlesRules.jpg\" alt=\"Falconry Jeremy Charles Oklahoma Magazine\" width=\"400\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAfter that 5 o\'clock whistle blows, the highways are flooded with drivers, all of them swerving and weaving through traffic to get home as fast as possible. Some are after a warm, home-cooked meal; others, a reunion with family.\r\n\r\nNot Jonathan Coleman. He races from work to his Tulsa home to two birds of prey, each of which has been itching for a chance to take to the sky in search of a meal.\r\n\r\nRead the rest of this story on falconry in Oklahoma <a href=\"http://okmag.com/online/March11.html\">on page 24 in the March 2011 edition of Oklahoma Magazine</a>.\r\n\r\n<em>Beautiful photo by <a href=\"http://www.jeremycharles.com/\">Jeremy Charles</a>. </em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>','A Bird\'s-Eye View: Falconry has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity in the Sooner State','','publish','open','open','','a-birds-eye-view-falconry-has-enjoyed-a-resurgence-of-popularity-in-the-sooner-state','','','2011-03-08 10:20:56','2011-03-08 16:20:56','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=6753',0,'post','',0),(6754,1,'2011-03-08 10:08:16','2011-03-08 16:08:16','','Falconry Jeremy Charles Oklahoma Magazine','','inherit','open','open','','jeremycharlesrules','','','2011-03-08 10:08:16','2011-03-08 16:08:16','',6753,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/JeremyCharlesRules.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',1),(6755,1,'2011-03-08 10:19:17','2011-03-08 16:19:17','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6754\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6754\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/JeremyCharlesRules.jpg\" alt=\"Falconry Jeremy Charles Oklahoma Magazine\" title=\"Falconry Jeremy Charles Oklahoma Magazine\" width=\"457\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6754\" /></a>\n\nAfter that 5 o\'clock whistle blows, the highways are flooded with drivers, all of them swerving and weaving through traffic to get home as fast as possible. Some are after a warm, home-cooked meal; others, a reunion with family. \n\nNot Jonathan Coleman. He races from work to his Tulsa home to two birds of prey, each of which has been itching for a chance to take to the sky in search of a meal. \n\nRead the rest of this story on falconry in Oklahoma <a href=\"http://okmag.com/online/March11.html\">on page 24 in the March 2011 edition of Oklahoma Magazine</a>. \n\nPhoto by <a href=\"http://www.jeremycharles.com/\">Jeremy Charles</a>. \n\n','A Bird\'s-Eye View: Falconry has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity in the Sooner State','','inherit','open','open','','6753-revision','','','2011-03-08 10:19:17','2011-03-08 16:19:17','',6753,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6753-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6756,1,'2011-03-08 10:20:07','2011-03-08 16:20:07','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6754\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6754\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/JeremyCharlesRules.jpg\" alt=\"Falconry Jeremy Charles Oklahoma Magazine\" title=\"Falconry Jeremy Charles Oklahoma Magazine\" width=\"457\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6754\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAfter that 5 o\'clock whistle blows, the highways are flooded with drivers, all of them swerving and weaving through traffic to get home as fast as possible. Some are after a warm, home-cooked meal; others, a reunion with family. \r\n\r\nNot Jonathan Coleman. He races from work to his Tulsa home to two birds of prey, each of which has been itching for a chance to take to the sky in search of a meal. \r\n\r\nRead the rest of this story on falconry in Oklahoma <a href=\"http://okmag.com/online/March11.html\">on page 24 in the March 2011 edition of Oklahoma Magazine</a>. \r\n\r\n<em>Beautiful photo by <a href=\"http://www.jeremycharles.com/\">Jeremy Charles</a>. </em>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>','A Bird\'s-Eye View: Falconry has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity in the Sooner State','','inherit','open','open','','6753-revision-2','','','2011-03-08 10:20:07','2011-03-08 16:20:07','',6753,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6753-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6757,1,'2011-03-08 10:20:07','2011-03-08 16:20:07','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6754\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6754\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/JeremyCharlesRules.jpg\" alt=\"Falconry Jeremy Charles Oklahoma Magazine\" title=\"Falconry Jeremy Charles Oklahoma Magazine\" width=\"457\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6754\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAfter that 5 o\'clock whistle blows, the highways are flooded with drivers, all of them swerving and weaving through traffic to get home as fast as possible. Some are after a warm, home-cooked meal; others, a reunion with family. \r\n\r\nNot Jonathan Coleman. He races from work to his Tulsa home to two birds of prey, each of which has been itching for a chance to take to the sky in search of a meal. \r\n\r\nRead the rest of this story on falconry in Oklahoma <a href=\"http://okmag.com/online/March11.html\">on page 24 in the March 2011 edition of Oklahoma Magazine</a>. \r\n\r\n<em>Beautiful photo by <a href=\"http://www.jeremycharles.com/\">Jeremy Charles</a>. </em>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>','A Bird\'s-Eye View: Falconry has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity in the Sooner State','','inherit','open','open','','6753-revision-3','','','2011-03-08 10:20:07','2011-03-08 16:20:07','',6753,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6753-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6758,1,'2011-03-08 10:20:56','2011-03-08 16:20:56','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-6754\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=6754\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6754 aligncenter\" title=\"Falconry Jeremy Charles Oklahoma Magazine\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/JeremyCharlesRules.jpg\" alt=\"Falconry Jeremy Charles Oklahoma Magazine\" width=\"400\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAfter that 5 o\'clock whistle blows, the highways are flooded with drivers, all of them swerving and weaving through traffic to get home as fast as possible. Some are after a warm, home-cooked meal; others, a reunion with family.\r\n\r\nNot Jonathan Coleman. He races from work to his Tulsa home to two birds of prey, each of which has been itching for a chance to take to the sky in search of a meal.\r\n\r\nRead the rest of this story on falconry in Oklahoma <a href=\"http://okmag.com/online/March11.html\">on page 24 in the March 2011 edition of Oklahoma Magazine</a>.\r\n\r\n<em>Beautiful photo by <a href=\"http://www.jeremycharles.com/\">Jeremy Charles</a>. </em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>','A Bird\'s-Eye View: Falconry has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity in the Sooner State','','inherit','open','open','','6753-revision-4','','','2011-03-08 10:20:56','2011-03-08 16:20:56','',6753,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6753-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6761,1,'2011-03-08 11:09:49','2011-03-08 17:09:49','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4921\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/pioneer-woman-mardi-gras-and-general-liveliness-tonight-its-all-about-downtown/dsc_2020/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-4921 aligncenter\" title=\"Atlas Life\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DSC_2020.jpg\" alt=\"Atlas Life\" width=\"425\" height=\"640\" /></a></p>\r\nIf I were you, if you plan to be anywhere downtown for an event tonight, I\'d like to humbly suggest that you plan to arrive by 2:30 p.m. And that you carpool or ride the bus or take a cab.\r\n\r\nHa! Just kidding about the 2:30 p.m. thing. But seriously, between the craziness that is <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/\">the Mardi Gras celebration in the Blue Dome District</a> and the throng of Pioneer Woman lovers invading the stairwells and loading the elevators to capacity at the Mayo Hotel, all in a scramble to see <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=183721778316015\">blogger Ree Drummond sign books in the Crystal Ballroom</a>, not to mention <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/things-to-do-in-tulsa-today-mardi-gras-edition/\">the events that will keep the BOK Center and the Jazz Hall of Fame full and bustling</a>, the heart of our city is going to be just a little busy this evening.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\nSome things to keep in mind if you\'re headed that way:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>First and foremost</strong>, nearly 40,000 people drive into and find parking in downtown Tulsa for work each and every morning. So yes, there will absolutely be enough parking. Be still and take comfort in that fact.</li>\r\n	<li>Meter parking in downtown Tulsa is free after 5 p.m. Maybe practice your parallel parking skills once or twice before you leave the house and you\'ll be good to go.</li>\r\n	<li>There are lots of parking options in the lots downtown, both open and covered, if you\'re willing to part if a fiver or, in unusual cases, more. So, bring a little extra cash.</li>\r\n	<li>Just like life in any midsized downtown area, it\'s wise to get around early and to allow plenty of time to get parked and to walk to your event. Look at it as time to relish the fact that you\'re walking through a living museum of art deco architecture and Tulsa history.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t wear stilettos. Flats are your friend.</li>\r\n	<li>If you don\'t like the idea of having to drive and park, take the bus. If you don\'t want the hassle of figuring out your route, call (918) 582-2100 and they\'ll do it for you. No, really. Just tell them where you\'ll catch the bus, where you want to end up and at what time and they\'ll tell you exactly what you need to do. And in a really friendly, soothing voice, too. It\'s nice.</li>\r\n	<li>Valet parking will be available at the Pioneer Woman book signing for $10.</li>\r\n	<li>Eat at a downtown restaurant before or after your chosen event. Doing so supports independent, locally owned businesses, and it saves you a trip. Think of it as your investment in the continued revitalization of the heart and soul of your city. Park strategically so you can walk between dinner and your event.</li>\r\n	<li>Bring an umbrella.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t drink and drive. That\'s a duh.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nHave fun tonight! And don\'t hesitate to get a little crazy. That\'s what Fat Tuesday is for.','Pioneer Woman, Mardi Gras and general liveliness: Tonight, it\'s all about downtown','If I were you, if you plan to be anywhere downtown for an event tonight, I\'d like to humbly suggest that you plan to arrive by 2:30 p.m. And that you carpool or ride the bus or take a cab.','private','open','open','','pioneer-woman-mardi-gras-and-general-liveliness-tonight-its-all-about-downtown','','http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/\nhttp://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/things-to-do-in-tulsa-today-mardi-gras-edition/','2011-03-09 08:47:44','2011-03-09 14:47:44','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=6761',0,'post','',3),(7586,1,'2011-04-11 15:46:24','2011-04-11 21:46:24','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-1952\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=1952\"><strong>They provide basic amenities.</strong>\r\n<img title=\"Pedestrian Bridge at River Parks Tulsa Oklahoma\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC06456-500x666.jpg\" alt=\"Pedestrian Bridge at River Parks Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"400\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWho is Tulsa? If Tulsa was a person, how would you describe him or her? Musical? Artsy? Sporty? Foodie? Something else?\r\n\r\nThat\'s the question Blake Ewing, the owner of several downtown businesses, has been exploring over the course of a few posts at his blog, <a href=\"http://www.blakeewing.com/\">BlakeEwing.com</a>.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nBlake\'s posts - or essays, rather - have gone viral, at least on the local Web, landing on at least <a href=\"http://www.batesline.com/archives/2011/04/added-to-the-blogroll.html\">two popular Tulsa blogs</a> (and <a href=\"http://jboudiette.wordpress.com/\">here</a>) and on the feeds of several influential local Twitter users.\r\n\r\n<h3>What\'s In The Blake Ewing Posts</h3>\r\n\r\nProbably the most circulated post thus far would be <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/who-will-lead-us/\">Who Will Lead Us?, a post from early February calling for stronger, more cooperative leadership in our city government</a>:\r\n<blockquote>I can’t help but be frustrated. I feel like most of the work I do is somehow related to the betterment of our fine city, so it’s tough to want so badly for our elected officials to provide a strong foundation for us and to feel like there’s no new hope for that. I feel like our people want to be inspired. They want a vision for a better Tulsa. They want to believe that we can do what so many cities have done in recent years. We can reinvent ourselves. We can enhance our existing attributes, mitigate our weakness, and create new attractions and amenities for Tulsa and its visitors to enjoy. The public is looking for leadership and they are not finding it.\r\n\r\nInstead, it seems, we are forced to deal with nagging political roadblock and short-sighted politicians who can’t seem to figure out that what they’re doing now is not what’s best for Tulsa....\r\n\r\n...I will continue to believe in a better city and I will continue to hope that our city leaders will rise to lead us. I keep feeling that there’s this whole other side to the job that has to do with people. It’s emotional. It’s relational. The job is so much more than just making policy and taking care of business. They clearly know this. It must be the reason for the long winded speeches directed at the TGOV cameras. They’re trying to communicate with us. They’re just doing it all wrong. Those speeches in council meetings are worthless. They don’t count. They don’t inspire. They frustrate.</blockquote>\r\nHe continues with the same theme in his next post, dated about a month later:\r\n<blockquote>I’m absolutely in love with [Tulsa\'s] potential. It’s painful to feel like I can close my eyes and see the Tulsa we should be, but we lack the infrastructure, vision, or synergy to get us there.\r\n\r\nI’m not blaming our city’s leaders for the way things are. If we’re not happy, it’s because we’ve let it be this way. If you are happy with things, I’d ask you to look at the city as a whole. Are we achieving our potential? Is the lifestyle you’re enjoying going to be sustained or will the shortcomings in other parts of the city eventually infringe on the things you currently appreciate and enjoy. While our neighboring cities were growing, developing, and improving, we were slow to the party...Tulsans have struggled to see the big picture and therefore have done the very human thing of asking, “what’s in it for me?”\r\n\r\n...if you’re completely happy with the way things are, that doesn’t exempt you. In order to get to keep what you have, you’re going to have to act. The city is changing and your lifestyle, be it a suburban or an urban one, is going to be threatened. It’s time to think past the end of the driveway for a minute. The city in which we’ve chosen to live, and in which we want our children to want to live, needs our help.</blockquote>\r\nThe latest installation is a post called <a href=\"http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/grow-up-tulsa-grow-up-tulsa/\">Grow Up, Tulsa. Grow Up Tulsa</a>, focused on the first steps of a process Blake calls, \"making Tulsa a grown-up city.\" He begins by suggesting that Tulsa should compare itself to other cities and use their examples to reverse engineer where Tulsa would like to be. He writes that grown-up cities:\r\n\r\nTake advantage of their resources and promote their assets;\r\nThey attract and retain creative people;\r\nThey provide basic amenities; \r\nTheir local government provides sound infrastructure and supports development;\r\nThey have a vibrant urban core;\r\nThey celebrate small local business.\r\n\r\nHere\'s where he\'s left things for now: \r\n\r\n<blockquote>A defined set of goals and values for our city would help those types of things to be more frequent. If we could get all of the major parties with a stake or a say-so (city council, mayor, TMAPC, INCOG, chambers of commerce, school boards, neighborhood associations, state reps and senators, US reps and senators, and entrepreneurs and developers) to push everything through the same set of filters, I think we’d see marked improvement as a city in a hurry. If at every level we had to ask the question “Is this what a grown-up city would do?” we might start seeing a different type of behavior across the board. I know it’s a little cheesy, but it’s the principle that’s important. I’m trying to communicate that we really can stop wasting time with silly bickering and minute policy making and start getting to work growing up.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nBlake\'s blogging has generated a variety of responses, some in the form of new groups looking to better champion Tulsa as well as requests that he run in the next mayoral election.\r\n\r\nEven if you differ with Blake on the particulars, what he has to say is worth our time, thoughts and conversation. \r\n\r\n<h3>So, Let The Conversation Begin</h3>\r\n\r\nI agree that there\'s value in well-defined common goals, comparing Tulsa to other cities and envisioning from such a comparison what our city could be. \r\n\r\nWhat I think is more important, though, is first living fully into our city as it presently exists and what it has to offer today, right now.\r\n\r\nThat means checking out local parks, attractions and events rather than parking ourselves and our families on the couch in front of the TV night after night, or refusing to enjoy what Tulsa has to offer until we get an IKEA, a major theme park or other such development. It\'s choosing local businesses over chains and big-box outlets whenever possible. It\'s hosting block parties in our neighborhoods when it would be easier to keep to ourselves.\r\n\r\nI think that\'s where our identity comes from, and I think it\'s why so many of us sense such malaise in the momentum of the progression of our city. Urban sprawl and all that goes along with it has been the slippery slope on which Tulsa and many other mid-sized cities across the country have found themselves since the American dream of homeownership and the white picket fence life went on deep discount here in the states after World War II. \r\n\r\nCities are like people in that each has its own personality, but also like people, we can\'t assign traits and attributes to them like we can storage boxes with a label maker. Great cities grow into their identities as a function of culture, history and place, and when it\'s a great thing, it\'s an organic process. It doesn\'t come from a marketing campaign or an elite, exclusive group of citizens with big plans and deep pockets. It truly is a community endeavor, and while it\'s bound to be fragmented and messy and disobedient to timelines and mission statements, it begins with our kids, our neighborhoods and how we vote by how we spend our dollars.\r\n\r\nPeople aren\'t kidding when they say Tulsa is a great place to raise a family and that it\'s a top choice for retiring, relocating baby boomers. But how many of those cities can also claim to also be the birthplace of Route 66? Or home to dozens upon dozens of Native American cultures, one of the most diverse sets of tribes in the country? Or the home of one of the largest collections of art deco architecture in the world? Or a place where world-class museums, ballet, opera and theatre companies can pack entertainment venues just up the street from bursting-at-the-seams guns and arms shows, rodeos and state fairs?\r\n\r\nLet\'s choose to own these things. Let\'s learn about and experience it all. Then, let\'s teach our children about it, work to instill in them a sense of pride in their histories and in their community. Let\'s start telling our stories. If we\'re convinced we don\'t have any, then let\'s get to work on writing some.\r\n\r\nTo refuse the richness that a sense of place can imbue in our lives and in the lives of our families is a two-fold death. It creates in the citizenry a numbness which can tolerate only convenience, routine and sameness, each of which has effects of its own on the world around us and on the human spirit. It also silences the identity of a place. If we refuse to learn about the history of where we plant our feet, our kids and our homes and build on that in our own ways and with our own stories, any piece of rock on which we settle is just like any other piece of rock. It becomes nowhere. A no-place.\r\n\r\nThat\'s where I think Tulsa\'s chance to sparkle lies, in investing in the city as it exists now with our time, experiences and, yeah, our resources - essentially, by creating and sharing our stories with one another and with everyone we meet when we\'re not at home. That\'s where the cool factor is gonna start. That\'s where things like river development by Tulsa\'s own businesses, drop-ins by the major, sought-after entertainment, tourist-worthy arts and music scenes, huge companies that employ lots of people, a vibrant young creatives class and a bustling downtown start. Who we are has to actually match what we want others to know about us.\r\n\r\n<h3>What Say You?</h3>\r\n\r\nBlake - a man who truly loves this city and walks the walk in just about every way imaginable - set forth his vision for the city. I used this blog post to do the same. \r\n\r\nBut I want I know - what do you think? Who/what do you think Tulsa is? How does that compare with what you\'d like to see Tulsa become over the course of the next generation or two? How do we get there? What are you willing to do as a Tulsan to both write and tell the city\'s story? Let\'s chat in the comments. ','Who Is Tulsa?','','inherit','open','open','','7570-revision-15','','','2011-04-11 15:46:24','2011-04-11 21:46:24','',7570,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/04/7570-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(6763,1,'2011-03-08 11:09:29','2011-03-08 17:09:29','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4921\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=4921\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-4921 aligncenter\" title=\"Atlas Life\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DSC_2020.jpg\" alt=\"Atlas Life\" width=\"425\" height=\"640\" /></a>\n\nIf I were you, if you plan to be anywhere downtown for an event tonight, I\'d like to humbly suggest that you plan to arrive by 2:30 p.m. And that you carpool or ride the bus or take a cab.\n\nBecause between the craziness that is <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/\">the Mardi Gras celebration in the Blue Dome District</a> and the throng of Pioneer Woman lovers invading the stairwells and loading the elevators to capacity at the Mayo Hotel, all in a scramble to see <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=183721778316015\">blogger Ree Drummond sign books in the Crystal Ballroom</a>, and not to mention <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/things-to-do-in-tulsa-today-mardi-gras-edition/\">the events that will keep the BOK Center and the Jazz Hall of Fame full and bustling</a>, the heart of our city is going to be just a little busy this evening.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nSome things to keep in mind if you\'re headed that way:\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>First and foremost</strong>, nearly 40,000 people drive into and find parking in downtown Tulsa for work each and every morning. So yes, there will absolutely be enough parking. Be still and take comfort in that fact.</li>\n	<li>Meter parking in downtown Tulsa is free after 5 p.m. Maybe practice your parallel parking skills once or twice before you leave the house and you\'ll be good to go.</li>\n	<li>There are lots of parking options in the lots downtown, both open and covered, if you\'re willing to part if a fiver or, in unusual cases, more. So, bring a little extra cash.</li>\n	<li>Just like life in any midsized downtown area, it\'s wise to get around early and to allow plenty of time to get parked and to walk to your event. Look at it as time to relish the fact that you\'re walking through a living museum of art deco architecture and Tulsa history.</li>\n	<li>Don\'t wear stilettos. Flats are your friend.</li>\n	<li>If you don\'t like the idea of having to drive and park, take the bus. If you don\'t want the hassle of figuring out your route, call (918) 582-2100 and they\'ll do it for you. No, really. Just tell them where you\'ll catch the bus, where you want to end up and at what time and they\'ll tell you exactly what you need to do. And in a really friendly, soothing voice, too. It\'s nice.</li>\n	<li>Valet parking will be available at the Pioneer Woman book signing for $10.</li>\n	<li>Eat at a downtown restaurant before or after your chosen event. Doing so supports independent, locally owned businesses. Think of it as your investment in the continued revitalization of the heart and soul of your city. Park strategically so you can walk between dinner and your event.</li>\n	<li>Don\'t drink and drive. That\'s a duh.</li>\n	<li>That is all.</li>\n</ul>\nHave fun tonight! And don\'t hesitate to get a little crazy. That\'s what Fat Tuesday is for.','Pioneer Woman, Mardi Gras and general liveliness: Tonight, it\'s all about downtown','','inherit','open','open','','6761-revision','','','2011-03-08 11:09:29','2011-03-08 17:09:29','',6761,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6761-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6764,1,'2011-03-08 11:09:49','2011-03-08 17:09:49','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4921\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=4921\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-4921 aligncenter\" title=\"Atlas Life\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DSC_2020.jpg\" alt=\"Atlas Life\" width=\"425\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nIf I were you, if you plan to be anywhere downtown for an event tonight, I\'d like to humbly suggest that you plan to arrive by 2:30 p.m. And that you carpool or ride the bus or take a cab.\r\n\r\nBecause between the craziness that is <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/\">the Mardi Gras celebration in the Blue Dome District</a> and the throng of Pioneer Woman lovers invading the stairwells and loading the elevators to capacity at the Mayo Hotel, all in a scramble to see <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=183721778316015\">blogger Ree Drummond sign books in the Crystal Ballroom</a>, and not to mention <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/things-to-do-in-tulsa-today-mardi-gras-edition/\">the events that will keep the BOK Center and the Jazz Hall of Fame full and bustling</a>, the heart of our city is going to be just a little busy this evening.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\nSome things to keep in mind if you\'re headed that way:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>First and foremost</strong>, nearly 40,000 people drive into and find parking in downtown Tulsa for work each and every morning. So yes, there will absolutely be enough parking. Be still and take comfort in that fact.</li>\r\n	<li>Meter parking in downtown Tulsa is free after 5 p.m. Maybe practice your parallel parking skills once or twice before you leave the house and you\'ll be good to go.</li>\r\n	<li>There are lots of parking options in the lots downtown, both open and covered, if you\'re willing to part if a fiver or, in unusual cases, more. So, bring a little extra cash.</li>\r\n	<li>Just like life in any midsized downtown area, it\'s wise to get around early and to allow plenty of time to get parked and to walk to your event. Look at it as time to relish the fact that you\'re walking through a living museum of art deco architecture and Tulsa history.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t wear stilettos. Flats are your friend.</li>\r\n	<li>If you don\'t like the idea of having to drive and park, take the bus. If you don\'t want the hassle of figuring out your route, call (918) 582-2100 and they\'ll do it for you. No, really. Just tell them where you\'ll catch the bus, where you want to end up and at what time and they\'ll tell you exactly what you need to do. And in a really friendly, soothing voice, too. It\'s nice.</li>\r\n	<li>Valet parking will be available at the Pioneer Woman book signing for $10.</li>\r\n	<li>Eat at a downtown restaurant before or after your chosen event. Doing so supports independent, locally owned businesses. Think of it as your investment in the continued revitalization of the heart and soul of your city. Park strategically so you can walk between dinner and your event.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t drink and drive. That\'s a duh.</li>\r\n	<li>That is all.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nHave fun tonight! And don\'t hesitate to get a little crazy. That\'s what Fat Tuesday is for.','Pioneer Woman, Mardi Gras and general liveliness: Tonight, it\'s all about downtown','','inherit','open','open','','6761-revision-2','','','2011-03-08 11:09:49','2011-03-08 17:09:49','',6761,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6761-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6765,1,'2011-03-08 11:09:49','2011-03-08 17:09:49','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4921\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/pioneer-woman-mardi-gras-and-general-liveliness-tonight-its-all-about-downtown/dsc_2020/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-4921 aligncenter\" title=\"Atlas Life\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DSC_2020.jpg\" alt=\"Atlas Life\" width=\"425\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nIf I were you, if you plan to be anywhere downtown for an event tonight, I\'d like to humbly suggest that you plan to arrive by 2:30 p.m. And that you carpool or ride the bus or take a cab.\r\n\r\nBecause between the craziness that is <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/\">the Mardi Gras celebration in the Blue Dome District</a> and the throng of Pioneer Woman lovers invading the stairwells and loading the elevators to capacity at the Mayo Hotel, all in a scramble to see <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=183721778316015\">blogger Ree Drummond sign books in the Crystal Ballroom</a>, and not to mention <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/things-to-do-in-tulsa-today-mardi-gras-edition/\">the events that will keep the BOK Center and the Jazz Hall of Fame full and bustling</a>, the heart of our city is going to be just a little busy this evening.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\nSome things to keep in mind if you\'re headed that way:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>First and foremost</strong>, nearly 40,000 people drive into and find parking in downtown Tulsa for work each and every morning. So yes, there will absolutely be enough parking. Be still and take comfort in that fact.</li>\r\n	<li>Meter parking in downtown Tulsa is free after 5 p.m. Maybe practice your parallel parking skills once or twice before you leave the house and you\'ll be good to go.</li>\r\n	<li>There are lots of parking options in the lots downtown, both open and covered, if you\'re willing to part if a fiver or, in unusual cases, more. So, bring a little extra cash.</li>\r\n	<li>Just like life in any midsized downtown area, it\'s wise to get around early and to allow plenty of time to get parked and to walk to your event. Look at it as time to relish the fact that you\'re walking through a living museum of art deco architecture and Tulsa history.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t wear stilettos. Flats are your friend.</li>\r\n	<li>If you don\'t like the idea of having to drive and park, take the bus. If you don\'t want the hassle of figuring out your route, call (918) 582-2100 and they\'ll do it for you. No, really. Just tell them where you\'ll catch the bus, where you want to end up and at what time and they\'ll tell you exactly what you need to do. And in a really friendly, soothing voice, too. It\'s nice.</li>\r\n	<li>Valet parking will be available at the Pioneer Woman book signing for $10.</li>\r\n	<li>Eat at a downtown restaurant before or after your chosen event. Doing so supports independent, locally owned businesses. Think of it as your investment in the continued revitalization of the heart and soul of your city. Park strategically so you can walk between dinner and your event.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t drink and drive. That\'s a duh.</li>\r\n	<li>That is all.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nHave fun tonight! And don\'t hesitate to get a little crazy. That\'s what Fat Tuesday is for.','Pioneer Woman, Mardi Gras and general liveliness: Tonight, it\'s all about downtown','','inherit','open','open','','6761-revision-3','','','2011-03-08 11:09:49','2011-03-08 17:09:49','',6761,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6761-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6766,1,'2011-03-08 11:10:20','2011-03-08 17:10:20','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4921\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/pioneer-woman-mardi-gras-and-general-liveliness-tonight-its-all-about-downtown/dsc_2020/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-4921 aligncenter\" title=\"Atlas Life\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DSC_2020.jpg\" alt=\"Atlas Life\" width=\"425\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nIf I were you, if you plan to be anywhere downtown for an event tonight, I\'d like to humbly suggest that you plan to arrive by 2:30 p.m. And that you carpool or ride the bus or take a cab.\r\n\r\nBecause between the craziness that is <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/\">the Mardi Gras celebration in the Blue Dome District</a> and the throng of Pioneer Woman lovers invading the stairwells and loading the elevators to capacity at the Mayo Hotel, all in a scramble to see <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=183721778316015\">blogger Ree Drummond sign books in the Crystal Ballroom</a>, and not to mention <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/things-to-do-in-tulsa-today-mardi-gras-edition/\">the events that will keep the BOK Center and the Jazz Hall of Fame full and bustling</a>, the heart of our city is going to be just a little busy this evening.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\nSome things to keep in mind if you\'re headed that way:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>First and foremost</strong>, nearly 40,000 people drive into and find parking in downtown Tulsa for work each and every morning. So yes, there will absolutely be enough parking. Be still and take comfort in that fact.</li>\r\n	<li>Meter parking in downtown Tulsa is free after 5 p.m. Maybe practice your parallel parking skills once or twice before you leave the house and you\'ll be good to go.</li>\r\n	<li>There are lots of parking options in the lots downtown, both open and covered, if you\'re willing to part if a fiver or, in unusual cases, more. So, bring a little extra cash.</li>\r\n	<li>Just like life in any midsized downtown area, it\'s wise to get around early and to allow plenty of time to get parked and to walk to your event. Look at it as time to relish the fact that you\'re walking through a living museum of art deco architecture and Tulsa history.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t wear stilettos. Flats are your friend.</li>\r\n	<li>If you don\'t like the idea of having to drive and park, take the bus. If you don\'t want the hassle of figuring out your route, call (918) 582-2100 and they\'ll do it for you. No, really. Just tell them where you\'ll catch the bus, where you want to end up and at what time and they\'ll tell you exactly what you need to do. And in a really friendly, soothing voice, too. It\'s nice.</li>\r\n	<li>Valet parking will be available at the Pioneer Woman book signing for $10.</li>\r\n	<li>Eat at a downtown restaurant before or after your chosen event. Doing so supports independent, locally owned businesses. Think of it as your investment in the continued revitalization of the heart and soul of your city. Park strategically so you can walk between dinner and your event.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t drink and drive. That\'s a duh.</li>\r\n	<li>That is all.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nHave fun tonight! And don\'t hesitate to get a little crazy. That\'s what Fat Tuesday is for.','Pioneer Woman, Mardi Gras and general liveliness: Tonight, it\'s all about downtown','','inherit','open','open','','6761-revision-4','','','2011-03-08 11:10:20','2011-03-08 17:10:20','',6761,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6761-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6767,1,'2011-03-08 11:10:20','2011-03-08 17:10:20','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4921\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/pioneer-woman-mardi-gras-and-general-liveliness-tonight-its-all-about-downtown/dsc_2020/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-4921 aligncenter\" title=\"Atlas Life\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DSC_2020.jpg\" alt=\"Atlas Life\" width=\"425\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nIf I were you, if you plan to be anywhere downtown for an event tonight, I\'d like to humbly suggest that you plan to arrive by 2:30 p.m. And that you carpool or ride the bus or take a cab.\r\n\r\nBecause between the craziness that is <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/\">the Mardi Gras celebration in the Blue Dome District</a> and the throng of Pioneer Woman lovers invading the stairwells and loading the elevators to capacity at the Mayo Hotel, all in a scramble to see <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=183721778316015\">blogger Ree Drummond sign books in the Crystal Ballroom</a>, and not to mention <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/things-to-do-in-tulsa-today-mardi-gras-edition/\">the events that will keep the BOK Center and the Jazz Hall of Fame full and bustling</a>, the heart of our city is going to be just a little busy this evening.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\nSome things to keep in mind if you\'re headed that way:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>First and foremost</strong>, nearly 40,000 people drive into and find parking in downtown Tulsa for work each and every morning. So yes, there will absolutely be enough parking. Be still and take comfort in that fact.</li>\r\n	<li>Meter parking in downtown Tulsa is free after 5 p.m. Maybe practice your parallel parking skills once or twice before you leave the house and you\'ll be good to go.</li>\r\n	<li>There are lots of parking options in the lots downtown, both open and covered, if you\'re willing to part if a fiver or, in unusual cases, more. So, bring a little extra cash.</li>\r\n	<li>Just like life in any midsized downtown area, it\'s wise to get around early and to allow plenty of time to get parked and to walk to your event. Look at it as time to relish the fact that you\'re walking through a living museum of art deco architecture and Tulsa history.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t wear stilettos. Flats are your friend.</li>\r\n	<li>If you don\'t like the idea of having to drive and park, take the bus. If you don\'t want the hassle of figuring out your route, call (918) 582-2100 and they\'ll do it for you. No, really. Just tell them where you\'ll catch the bus, where you want to end up and at what time and they\'ll tell you exactly what you need to do. And in a really friendly, soothing voice, too. It\'s nice.</li>\r\n	<li>Valet parking will be available at the Pioneer Woman book signing for $10.</li>\r\n	<li>Eat at a downtown restaurant before or after your chosen event. Doing so supports independent, locally owned businesses. Think of it as your investment in the continued revitalization of the heart and soul of your city. Park strategically so you can walk between dinner and your event.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t drink and drive. That\'s a duh.</li>\r\n	<li>That is all.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nHave fun tonight! And don\'t hesitate to get a little crazy. That\'s what Fat Tuesday is for.','Pioneer Woman, Mardi Gras and general liveliness: Tonight, it\'s all about downtown','','inherit','open','open','','6761-revision-5','','','2011-03-08 11:10:20','2011-03-08 17:10:20','',6761,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6761-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6768,1,'2011-03-08 11:17:21','2011-03-08 17:17:21','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4921\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/pioneer-woman-mardi-gras-and-general-liveliness-tonight-its-all-about-downtown/dsc_2020/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-4921 aligncenter\" title=\"Atlas Life\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DSC_2020.jpg\" alt=\"Atlas Life\" width=\"425\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nIf I were you, if you plan to be anywhere downtown for an event tonight, I\'d like to humbly suggest that you plan to arrive by 2:30 p.m. And that you carpool or ride the bus or take a cab.\r\n\r\nHa! Just kidding about the 2:30 p.m. thing. But seriously, between the craziness that is <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/\">the Mardi Gras celebration in the Blue Dome District</a> and the throng of Pioneer Woman lovers invading the stairwells and loading the elevators to capacity at the Mayo Hotel, all in a scramble to see <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=183721778316015\">blogger Ree Drummond sign books in the Crystal Ballroom</a>, and not to mention <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/things-to-do-in-tulsa-today-mardi-gras-edition/\">the events that will keep the BOK Center and the Jazz Hall of Fame full and bustling</a>, the heart of our city is going to be just a little busy this evening.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\nSome things to keep in mind if you\'re headed that way:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>First and foremost</strong>, nearly 40,000 people drive into and find parking in downtown Tulsa for work each and every morning. So yes, there will absolutely be enough parking. Be still and take comfort in that fact.</li>\r\n	<li>Meter parking in downtown Tulsa is free after 5 p.m. Maybe practice your parallel parking skills once or twice before you leave the house and you\'ll be good to go.</li>\r\n	<li>There are lots of parking options in the lots downtown, both open and covered, if you\'re willing to part if a fiver or, in unusual cases, more. So, bring a little extra cash.</li>\r\n	<li>Just like life in any midsized downtown area, it\'s wise to get around early and to allow plenty of time to get parked and to walk to your event. Look at it as time to relish the fact that you\'re walking through a living museum of art deco architecture and Tulsa history.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t wear stilettos. Flats are your friend.</li>\r\n	<li>If you don\'t like the idea of having to drive and park, take the bus. If you don\'t want the hassle of figuring out your route, call (918) 582-2100 and they\'ll do it for you. No, really. Just tell them where you\'ll catch the bus, where you want to end up and at what time and they\'ll tell you exactly what you need to do. And in a really friendly, soothing voice, too. It\'s nice.</li>\r\n	<li>Valet parking will be available at the Pioneer Woman book signing for $10.</li>\r\n	<li>Eat at a downtown restaurant before or after your chosen event. Doing so supports independent, locally owned businesses. Think of it as your investment in the continued revitalization of the heart and soul of your city. Park strategically so you can walk between dinner and your event.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t drink and drive. That\'s a duh.</li>\r\n	<li>That is all.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nHave fun tonight! And don\'t hesitate to get a little crazy. That\'s what Fat Tuesday is for.','Pioneer Woman, Mardi Gras and general liveliness: Tonight, it\'s all about downtown','','inherit','open','open','','6761-revision-6','','','2011-03-08 11:17:21','2011-03-08 17:17:21','',6761,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/6761-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),