(426,1,'2010-01-14 17:30:00','2010-01-14 17:30:00','<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S09F9-bn9PI/AAAAAAAABmA/ghxbRqsgWQI/s1600-h/Picture+5.png\"><img src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S09F9-bn9PI/AAAAAAAABmA/ghxbRqsgWQI/s400/Picture+5.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a></div>\r\nI\'m always looking for a free ride. In this new life of mine as a mom, I\'m always looking for ways to replace goods and services we pay for with cost-free ways to get things done, whether it\'s the grocery shopping or movie rental. I give myself double super secret probation points for finding local free stuff.\r\n\r\nJust as I\'m never far from a bargain bin, I\'m never far from the library. Each of the 25 branches of the <a href=\"http://tulsalibrary.org/\">Tulsa City-County Library</a>, five of which are open seven days a week, offers a plethora of options for picky freeloaders like me. Check it out.\r\n\r\n<a name=\"more\"></a>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Hardesty Regional Library by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3828084764/\">\r\n<img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/3828084764_4de0e16c30.jpg\" alt=\"Hardesty Regional Library\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n<strong>Books</strong>. Keep up to 50 books for up to two weeks. If you\'re like me and you\'re a slow reader, you have two chances to renew your borrowing period. If you can\'t find what you\'re looking for at your local library, simply request that it be brought to the TCCL branch nearest you, either at your library or via the TCCL Web site.\r\n\r\nIf Tulsa Library doesn\'t own a copy of the book for which you lust, there\'s always Interlibrary Loan, a.k.a. the library gods\' gift to book nerds. ILL is a service through which library users can borrow everything from books and videos to microfilm from other libraries when the desired material isn\'t available at TCCL. And get this - more often than not, these library elves will trade and transport your stuff for a buck, and that\'s just for postage. Otherwise, it\'s free like Willy.\r\n\r\nThe ILL is my kryptonite, especially when it\'s available online - I am powerless against it. I legs turn to jelly and I can\'t do any housework whatsoever until it releases its death grip on my consciousness. No, really, it\'s true. Just ask my husband and my laundry pile.\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n<strong>CDs</strong>. Gotta get some tunes? Snag up to ten CDs to keep for two weeks at your local TCCL branch. Just try not to be stupefied by the selection. Warning: You\'ll have to try hard. Really hard.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Hardesty Regional Library by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3827287651/\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/3827287651_bce069024f.jpg\" alt=\"Hardesty Regional Library\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n<strong>Movie rental</strong>. Up to five movies can be checked out, each for seven days at a time. When you do movie rental the TCCL way, with its vast selection of everything from silent classics to the latest releases, you\'ll find yourself wishing for the Christmas Eve snow to return, precluding you from doing anything but putting in some serious mileage on the couch in front of the TV.\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n<strong>Audiobooks, digital music and video</strong>. Audiobooks - you know, those things for which the folks at iTunes like to charge more than the actual, dead-tree version of a manuscript. Skip that, wild draw four, reverse and skip that again, folks. Scads of audiobooks are available for download free of charge via <a href=\"http://tulsa.lib.overdrive.com/508F8A94-F873-4827-9D92-B2E53196D94E/10/373/en/Default.htm\">the Digital Catalogue on the TCCL Web site</a>. To find out more about how to get started, check out <a href=\"http://tulsa.lib.overdrive.com/508F8A94-F873-4827-9D92-B2E53196D94E/10/373/en/Tour.htm\">the digital media guided tour</a>.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Hardesty Regional Library by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3828091366/\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3488/3828091366_2acb7de5e6.jpg\" alt=\"Hardesty Regional Library\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n<strong>Internet/Wi-Fi</strong>. All TCCL locations offer free wireless Internet access. If you don\'t have a wireless device, just camp out at one of the many library computers.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Hardesty Regional Library by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3827289743/\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3450/3827289743_803e90c115.jpg\" alt=\"Hardesty Regional Library\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n<strong>Lectures, Classes, Book clubs and story times</strong>. These events pepper the calendar at TCCL, and they\'re all free. Want a class that will teach you how to set up your own business? Looking for a book club for Twilight addicts? Need some peer time for your small fry while squeezing in some intellectual stimulation at the same time? Find them at your nearest TCCL branch.<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n<strong>Book sales</strong>. As my faithful readers know, <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/12/tdt-holiday-gift-guide-gardners-used.html\">I\'m a sucker for old cookbooks</a>. I find plenty at local library book sales. These are not once-in-a-blue-moon sales events - books are on sale every day at the library.\r\n<strong></strong>\r\n<strong>Answer desk</strong>. In my former life as full-time business reporter, I may or may not have used the answer desk at the downtown library as regularly as the vending machine in our building (I needed a rather regular peanut M&amp;M fix in those days, so make your own guesses as to how regularly that was exactly). To use the answer desk, here\'s what you do: You pick up the phone, dial (918) 596-7977 and ask for the answer desk. Then, ask an arcane question - something about consumer trends in the lingerie market in ancient Mesopotamia usually works well - and sit back and await your answer. It\'s like a Magic 8 Ball, only better. It\'s certainly more accurate. Plus, librarians make the best phone buddies - especially when they\'re good and annoyed by questions about ancient underwear.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Hardesty Regional Library by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3828090250/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2440/3828090250_298ae2b48b.jpg\" alt=\"Hardesty Regional Library\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nTo be eligible to use these benefits, you must, duh, sign up for a TCCL library card. It\'s not as if I have to twist your arm to sign up for your very own library card, though, right? Obtaining one\'s library card is  a rite of passage. Without one, you\'re only half a man/woman. You have no business doing what adults do if you don\'t have a library card. You\'re like the schmuck who shows up at a college kegger without your own Solo cup. You are, at best, quasi-human.\r\n\r\nOkay, so maybe it\'s not as bad as all of that. But, still.\r\n\r\nMore free stuff available at the libraries here in Tulsa are special events, ranging from meet-the-author events to pizza parties for the kids. Hardesty Library even has its own children\'s event center, Connor\'s Cove. It hosts everything from concerts to puppet presentations to science experiments, all in the vein of kids\' and teen programming.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Connor\'s Cove at Hardesty Regional Library by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3827294215/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2575/3827294215_31259a2838.jpg\" alt=\"Connor\'s Cove at Hardesty Regional Library\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\nCool, right? Connor\'s Cove is just one of the reasons why Tulsans don\'t have to wait for Elmo to come to come to town to enjoy great children\'s theatre.\r\n\r\nSpeaking of killer free library events, have you heard about the latest thing going on at the library here in Tulsa? It\'s <strong><a href=\"http://www.blogger.com/goog_1263486394495\">Where the Art Is: An Arts Celebration with Billie Letts</a></strong><a href=\"http://www.tulsalibrary.org/eventguide/events/RL_where-the-art-is-poster_09.pdf\">, and it happens tonight (Thursday, Jan. 14)</a>.\r\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S09F9-bn9PI/AAAAAAAABmA/ghxbRqsgWQI/s1600-h/Picture+5.png\"><img src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S09F9-bn9PI/AAAAAAAABmA/ghxbRqsgWQI/s320/Picture+5.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a></div>\r\nWe all know Billie Letts from the spot where the author\'s name is printed on the title pages of <em>Where the Heart Is</em> and <em>The Honk and Holler Opening Soon</em>, right? <a href=\"http://www.tulsalibrary.org/central/\">Tonight Billie herself will be downtown at Central Library, 400 Civic Center,</a> to hang out with readers and to enjoy some art and theatre performances with them. Plus, tickets to the play <em><a href=\"http://www.blogger.com/goog_1263486394499\">August: Osage County</a></em><a href=\"http://www.tulsapac.com/calendar.asp?id=1135&amp;task=display\">, penned by actor/playwright/Billie Letts\' son, Tracy Letts</a>, will be up for grabs.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img src=\"http://www.myticketoffice.com/upload/August-Osage-poster.jpg\" alt=\"\" /></div>\r\nOh, August: Osage County. <a href=\"http://www.tulsapac.com/calendar.asp?id=1135&amp;task=display\">How excited we in Tulsa are for you to get here</a>.\r\n\r\nYou there. Do you love the library, too? What do you like to do when you go there? If you were Library Captain Supreme of the Tulsa Universe, how would you make our libraries even better?','Show Me Your Books: the Tulsa City-County Library','Do you love the library, too? What do you like to do when you go there? If you were Library Captain Supreme of the Tulsa Universe, how would you make our libraries even better?','publish','open','open','','tulsa-library','','','2010-11-17 14:22:08','2010-11-17 19:22:08','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=426',0,'post','',5),(428,1,'2010-01-15 22:45:00','2010-01-15 22:45:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4277692736/\" title=\"Momma\'s Saturday Book Club by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Momma\'s Saturday Book Club\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2705/4277692736_3bbeb05591.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a><br /></div><br />We\'ve all been to storytime, and let\'s be frank: More often than not, it\'s boring. It\'s a way we moms feel okay about passing the time. After all, there\'s the added bonus that we\'re edifying our children with age-appropriate literature, but still. Between yawns, most of us are fantasizing about what\'s on TV back at the house, whether we want to admit it or not. <br /><br />Momma\'s Saturday Book Club is different. <br /><br /><a href=\"http://www.ttownmoms.com/?page=blogs/view&amp;BLID=7197\">Learn how on my blog at Ttownmoms.com</a>.','Redeeming Storytime','','publish','open','open','','redeeming-storytime','','','2010-01-15 22:45:00','2010-01-15 22:45:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=428',0,'post','',0),(429,1,'2010-01-18 03:45:00','2010-01-18 03:45:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3465011417/\" title=\"Circle Cinema by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Circle Cinema\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3465011417_dc6c4b9030.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a><br /></div><br />Looking for a way to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr.? Check out these Tulsa events.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade</span><br /><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">When: 11am<br /></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Where: Starting at Pine Street and Cincinnati Avenue in downtown Tulsa<br /></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">This annual parade - the theme of which for this year is \"Dream It, Plan It, Do It: Yes We Can!\" - will proceed from Pine and Greenwood through what was once known throughout the U.S. as Black Wall Street, ending at Archer Street. Always a glorious production.<br /></div><b><br /></b><br /><b>MLK Day Community Breakfast</b><br />When: 8:30-10:30am<br />Where: Metropolitan Tulsa Urban League, 240 E. Apache<br />Made possible with donations from Bama, Borden, QuikTrip, United Way, Walmart and The Wild Fork - yes, The Wild Fork. You know this is gonna be good. <br /><br /><b>I Am A Man: Memphis \'68</b><br />When: Every hour, on the hour, from 1pm-8pm<br />Where: Circle Cinema, 12 S. Lewis Ave.<br />Since this movie packs some complicated themes - manhood, race and civil rights - I\'ll leave it to you to decide if this is a good choice for you and the kids. If you\'re unencumbered, be sure to catch a free showing of this 30-minute, not-rated movie, showing in remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.<br /><br />How do you celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Tulsa?','What to Do in Tulsa This Martin Luther King Jr. Day','','publish','open','open','','what-to-do-in-tulsa-this-martin-luther','','','2010-01-18 03:45:00','2010-01-18 03:45:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=429',0,'post','',0),(430,1,'2010-01-18 03:50:00','2010-01-18 03:50:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3353942901/\" title=\"Theater at OSU-Tulsa by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Theater at OSU-Tulsa\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3663/3353942901_bddacd434c.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a><br /></div><br />Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It\'s a day of remembrance and hope. It\'s a time to observe the life of a man who wholly devoted himself to the ideals of peace and quality and, in the end, had to sacrifice his life for his glorious dream.<br /><br />There\'s another translation of MLK Day for all of us, especially we who have munchkins at home: It\'s a three-day weekend for the kiddos.&nbsp;Problem is, many of us don\'t get to sit this holiday out from work.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>If this is you, get with&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.seekingsitters.com/index.asp?\">Tulsa-based Seeking Sitters</a>. There\'s a reason you hear nothing but good about this babysitting company - it\'s because they\'re the best, and the range of their offerings, whether it\'s in-home babysitting or sitters available to come into your office on these days when all the kids are out of school, can\'t be beat.&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.seekingsitters.com/memberinformation.asp\">Here\'s how to get set up</a>.<br /><br /><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Another option is <a href=\"http://okaquarium.org/\">the&nbsp;Sea Camp at Oklahoma Aquarium</a>, 300 Aquarium Drive in Jenks. If your kids are in grades between kindergarten and fifth, pack \'em up and send them off to play games and learn about aquatic life all the live-long day. The cost is $50, but this ain\'t daycare, folks. The kids will be engaged, stimulated and challenged. And who knows, maybe your little person will make a new friend or two. Before and after care is available.&nbsp;Call 918.528-1508 or <a href=\"mailto:education@okaquarium.org\">e-mail the Aquarium</a> to register.<br /></div><br />For those of us who don\'t have the option of respite from children plotting against us all day from their playroom lairs, I have a few ideas.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade</span><br />When: 11am<br />Where: Starting at Pine Street and Cincinnati Avenue in downtown Tulsa<br />This annual parade - the theme of which for this year is \"Dream It, Plan It, Do It: Yes We Can!\" - will proceed from Pine and Greenwood through what was once known throughout the U.S. as Black Wall Street, ending at Archer Street.<br /><b><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\"><br /></span></b><br /><b>Scout Day at Oklahoma Aquarium</b><br />When: 10am-6pm<br />Where: Oklahoma Aquarium, 300 Aquarium Drive<br />The Oklahoma Aquarium hosts quarterly Scout Days to honor youth organizations like Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire, 4-H and FFA and their members.  Members in uniform or carrying a membership card and one accompanying adult can be admitted to the Aquarium at the discounted rate of $7 per youth and $10 per adult.  They can also earn the Oklahoma Aquarium’s own Junior Biologist Badge. It\'s so fun that it won\'t feel like education, but it is.<br /><br /><b>Purple Glaze</b><br />When: 11am-9pm<br /><b></b>Where: 3303 S. Peoria Ave. and 6528 E. 91st Street<br />What\'s more fun than making a mess with your kids? <a href=\"http://purpleglazestudio.com/\">Making a mess with your kids that you don\'t have to clean up, duh</a>. Head to Purple Glaze to pick out your favorite ceramic. Spend the afternoon painting or tiling it, just the way you like. Leave it behind for a few days for glazing and firing, voila, a one-of-a-kind commemoration of MLK Day 2010. Bonus: There\'s no studio fee on Mondays.<br /><br /><b>Bounce U</b><br />When: 1:30-3pm<br />Where: 8229 S. Memorial Drive<br />Create the best nap time ever with a warehouse full of inflatable playground equipment. Reservations (and extra socks!) are needed for all events. Call (918) 249-0900 or <a href=\"mailto:tulsa.ok@bounceu.com\">e-mail the folks at Bounce U Tulsa</a>. <br /><br /><b>Kaleidoscope Children\'s Museum</b><br /><b></b>When: 10am-5pm<br />Where: 6202 S. Sheridan Road<br />If you couldn\'t get your kids not to touch delicate pieces of art to save your life, Kaleidoscope just might be the place for you. It\'s a hands-on kind of museum, with plenty of encouragement for your kids to do some learning about art and science. Who said a day off from school has to mean a day off from learning? Hours are extended to 10am-5pm for MLK Day. Admission is $5, and kids under 2 get in free.<br /><br /><b>Gardner\'s Used Books</b><br />When: 10am-8pm<br />Where: 4221 S. Mingo Road<br />Have I mentioned that I love this place? Yes? Well, I\'m going to say it again. There\'s plenty of space for young kids to toddle, tons of books, music, comics and toys to keep older kids busy, and no one really cares if your brood gets a little rambunctious. Plus, there are two great restaurants right next door, including Gatsby\'s Grill. Yum. See how many books on MLK Jr. and the civil rights movement you can find - my guess is that, at Gardner\'s, it\'s in the hundreds. Pick out one or two, fork over the few bucks that they\'ll cost and look/talk \'em over with your kids.<br /><br /><b>Lunch</b><br /><b></b>If while you\'re out and about when little tummies start to growl, feel free to use my short list of indie lunch spots that are welcoming to young kids and their families (several of these even offer toys to keep the kids happy while the food\'s a cookin\'): Joe Mommas downtown (complete with old-school video games); Cosmo Cafe on Brookside; Elote Cafe &amp; Catering; Brewburger (kids eat for a buck on Mondays); Crusty Croissant; Dilly Deli; Kupcakz (maybe for dessert - or, if you\'re like me, maybe for lunch); The Brook (both Midtown and South); and Hideaway Pizza.<br /><br /><br />What are you and the kids planning to do together on MLK Day?','What to Do With the Kids in Tulsa on Martin Luther King Jr. Day','','publish','open','open','','what-to-do-with-kids-in-tulsa-on-martin','','','2010-01-18 03:50:00','2010-01-18 03:50:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=430',0,'post','',2),(431,1,'2010-01-18 23:23:00','2010-01-18 23:23:00','You guys. Check this out.<br /><br /><object height=\"340\" width=\"560\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/f_0ap-aHYo4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/f_0ap-aHYo4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"560\" height=\"340\"></embed></object><br /><br />Are you not a better person for having watched this? I\'m pretty sure I am. I\'m also much thinner for all the laughing I did, especially during the twenty-second intro. Also because of the \"I am one New Moon-loving negro\" comment. <br /><br />Ha! Mercy.<br /><br />If you watched the clip you\'ll know that the show is Mondo Tulsa, and the above is the first episode of the series. Robert Walters is frontman, writer and creator of MT, with Erin McHenry and T.J. Clark behind the camera as producers. It\'s all under the umbrella of Seven Tummy Productions, probably the most adorable and cuddly production company name ever.<br /><br />I can\'t wait to see next week\'s edition.','Tulsa. It\'s Mondo.','','publish','open','open','','tulsa-its-mondo','','','2010-01-18 23:23:00','2010-01-18 23:23:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=431',0,'post','',8),(432,1,'2010-01-19 05:00:00','2010-01-19 05:00:00','<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><br /><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1VH9obTSKI/AAAAAAAABmQ/VJreB0jENYg/s1600-h/Picture+9.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1VH9obTSKI/AAAAAAAABmQ/VJreB0jENYg/s640/Picture+9.png\" /></a><br /></div><br />As you probably know by now, <a href=\"http://abc.go.com/shows/extreme-makeover-home-edition\">ABC\'s Emmy award-winning show \"Extreme Makover: Home Edition\"</a> plans to reward a deserving Tulsa family with a new home on Feb. 3. <br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>How cool is that? That means we Tulsans get to play host not just to the show producers who will be hanging out here for the next couple of weeks, but also to the entire country as they look in on the lucky family and where they made the home they\'ve had.<br /><br /><b>Help to kick off the Extreme home build kickoff at Donald W. Reynolds Center on the University of Tulsa campus tomorrow (Tuesday, Jan. 19)</b>, and don\'t forget to wave to the cameras. <b>A community rally starts at 9:30am, and all are welcome.</b> Keep in mind that the family\'s name hasn\'t yet been released. It\'s supposed to be a surprise, you know.  <br /><br />The famous door knock will happen later this month, on Jan. 28. That same day, the build will officially begin. It\'s a whirlwind process, this Extreme Makeover business.<br /><br />Just one week later, the new home will be revealed to the family. There will be hugs and crying and probably a squee here and there. Mostly, it\'ll be glorious.<br /><br />I can\'t wait to find out who the lucky family is.<br /><br />For the third time Owasso-based home builder <a href=\"http://www.simmonshomes.com/\">Simmons Homes</a> is teaming up with the show.&nbsp;In March 2008, Simmons Homes helped New Orleans residents rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. Simmons helped to build a house for a Dewey, Okla., family under the banner of \"Extreme Makeover,\" too.&nbsp;Because this time the family chosen to receive a new home is in the builder\'s backyard, it\'s special, Owner Greg Simmons said.<br /><br />Wanna be part of the magic beyond the kickoff tomorrow? Simmons Homes is seeking skilled and licensed craftsmen to volunteer (that includes providing your own transportation, lodging and food, folks) for onsite shifts at the Extreme House. Volunteers needed include electricians, painters, framers,  plumbers and drywallers. Employers, you can get in on this by allowing employees to participate. Or, donate tools and supplies.<br /><br /><div><br /></div><br />To volunteer for the Tulsa Extreme build, visit <a href=\"http://extremesimmons.com/\">extremesimmons.com</a>.<br /><br />The hour-long episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Does Tulsa will air in early March.&nbsp;The show airs Sundays at 7pm Tulsa time on KTUL Channel 8.','Tulsa Gets Extreme','','publish','open','open','','tulsa-gets-extreme','','','2010-01-19 05:00:00','2010-01-19 05:00:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=432',0,'post','',25),(433,1,'2010-01-20 14:36:00','2010-01-20 14:36:00','<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1cUknlwhxI/AAAAAAAABmY/iaIaGobEm34/s1600-h/DSC08991.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1cUknlwhxI/AAAAAAAABmY/iaIaGobEm34/s400/DSC08991.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a><br /></div><br />A new cafe/bar concept that got its start in south Tulsa in 2004 has landed on Brookside with a makeover to match.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/industry_article.asp?cID=i&amp;aID=59634669.6083598.655135.8711299.6779733.909&amp;aID2=50386\">Read the review on the food page in this week\'s edition of Tulsa Business Journal</a>.','Power Lunch: Cosmo Cafe &amp; Bar','','publish','open','open','','power-lunch-cosmo-cafe-bar','','','2010-01-20 14:36:00','2010-01-20 14:36:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=433',0,'post','',1),(434,1,'2010-01-21 19:07:00','2010-01-21 19:07:00','The folks at <a href=\"http://philbrook.org/\">Philbrook Museum</a> have been more busy than usual preparing for this month\'s Third Thursday event. Why? <a href=\"http://philbrookmuseum.blogspot.com/2010/01/tomorrow-is-3rd-thursday.html\">Because Eames Demetrios is coming to Tulsa</a>. <br /><br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1iim7qLuMI/AAAAAAAABmg/NU3eqAbYokA/s1600-h/Picture+1.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1iim7qLuMI/AAAAAAAABmg/NU3eqAbYokA/s640/Picture+1.png\" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />Yeah. That Eames Demetrios. <br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img src=\"http://www.artdirectorsoftulsa.org/wp-content/uploads/event_2010_01_eames.jpg\" /><br /></div><br /><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_and_Ray_Eames\">In the design world, the Eames name is tops</a>. Objects designed by Charles and Ray Eames are legendary for their beauty and utility, and  Demetrios, their grandson, spends his time communicating, preserving, and extending their work. His projects include multimedia production, printed materials, toys, exhibition design, filmmaking and more.&nbsp;He\'s also the director of the Eames Office.<br /><br />At Philbrook tonight he\'ll provide a personal look at the designers, their process, philosophy and influence on the design world. Demetrios will be sharing a few treasures from the family archive as well as signing books and posters. He\'ll talk about design vs. style, too.<br /><br />Here\'s the schedule for this evening, right out of a designer\'s top 10 wildest dreams file: <br /><br />5:30 pm: Tickets available from the Admission desk. No advance reservations.<br />5:30-6:30 pm: Cash bar available and photographer on site for your chance to be a part of our new ad campaign. <br />6:30-7:30 pm: Lecture begins in Auditorium, Live simulcast near Restaurant.<br />7:30-8 pm: Free posters designed by Demetrios will be available for signing.<br /><br />It all gets started at Philbrook, at 2727 S. Rockford Ave., the conclusion of the work day. And get this: There\'s no cost to see Demetrios with paid museum admission. <br /><br />Want an even better deal? If you bring a copy of last week\'s edition of <a href=\"http://urbantulsa.com/\">Urban Tulsa Weekly</a>&nbsp;(<a href=\"http://urbantulsa.com/\">or print/cut one out here</a>) to the admission counter, you get BOGO admission. So, not only do you get to see Eames Demetrios for fuh-reaking free, but you also get you and a buddy into Philbrook Museum for the price of one. <br /><br />This talk is presented in partnership with <a href=\"http://www.artdirectorsoftulsa.org/\">Art Directors Club of Tulsa</a> and in conjunction with <a href=\"http://www.moderntulsa.net/\">Modern Tulsa</a>, an organization of the <a href=\"http://www.tulsaarchitecture.com/\">Tulsa Foundation for Architecture</a>. It was made possible through the generous support of <a href=\"http://www.edgetulsa.com/\">Z-104.5 The Edge</a>, <a href=\"http://www.ervinphotography.com/\">Ervin Photography</a> and <a href=\"http://urbantulsa.com/\">Urban Tulsa Weekly</a>, so thank those folks when you see them. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4109119115/\" title=\"Philbrook Museum by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Philbrook Museum\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2792/4109119115_086468d78d.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a><br /></div><br />While your hanging at Philbrook tonight, don\'t forget to swing in to see the modern and contemporary design gallery featuring items from <a href=\"http://www.philbrook.org/exhibitions/galleries/gallery.cfm?id=14\">the George R. Kravis II Collection</a>. There\'s a vintage Eames chair as you enter. Just don\'t joke about sitting in it. The museum attendants do not think that\'s cute or funny. I should know.','The Coolest Thing Shakin\' in Tulsa Tonight','','publish','open','open','','coolest-thing-shakin-in-tulsa-tonight','','','2010-01-21 19:07:00','2010-01-21 19:07:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=434',0,'post','',0),(435,1,'2010-01-21 23:00:00','2010-01-21 23:00:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4290895321/\" title=\"DSC09412 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"DSC09412\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4290895321_8a40cb7594.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a><br /></div><br />One day, a psychologist named Elisabeth Kübler-Ross came up with the five stages of grief. You know the drill: Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Last, Acceptance. <br /><br />At 22 months, my son is too young to understand the late-night wars. All he knows is that he loves - no, lurves - Conan O\'Brien. I can\'t blame him. I\'ve been practically obsessed since I was in the ninth grade myself.<br /><br />Ever since six months or so ago, when I figured out we could watch as much Conan as we wanted via online video provider and mushy-mush creator Hulu, my kiddo has been equally enthralled. He demands the show daily.<br /><br />This, of course, leaves me in a bit of a pinch. <br /><br /><a href=\"http://www.ttownmoms.com/?page=blogs/view&amp;BLID=7265\">Hear an audio example of toddler denial on my blog at Ttownmoms.com</a>.','Denial','','publish','open','open','','denial','','','2010-01-21 23:00:00','2010-01-21 23:00:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=435',0,'post','',0),(437,1,'2010-01-22 20:00:00','2010-01-22 20:00:00','It\'s been awhile since the bloggers of the Tulsa had a regular meet-up.<br /><br />Today we say, enough of that.<br /><br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1nlOkPjuNI/AAAAAAAABmo/2gE5q12WVaA/s1600-h/finished_s.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1nlOkPjuNI/AAAAAAAABmo/2gE5q12WVaA/s640/finished_s.jpg\" width=\"414\" /></a><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><br /></div><a name=\'more\'></a>If you\'ve ever longed for companionship in this fragmented legion of bathrobe-wearing, coffee-drinking, pontificating warriors of the Web, meet the fine folk behind <a href=\"http://ArtofManliness.com/\">ArtofManliness.com</a> (yes, it\'s based right here in Tulsa!), <a href=\"http://TulsaProject.com/\">TulsaProject.com</a> and the delinquents responsible for the blog you\'re presently reading for pizza, beer and general geek chat at <a href=\"http://joemommas.com/\">Joe Momma\'s downtown</a>&nbsp;on Feb. 4 at 7pm. Whether you\'re a Tulsa-based tech blogger or mommy blogger or food blogger or political blogger or whatever-pops-into-your-pretty-head blogger, one and all are welcome.<br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">There\'s no program for this meeting. This isn\'t without reason. First, it\'ll be nice to just see everybody in one place, at the same time. We\'ll need some time to meet and greet, catch up, poke fun at each other\'s posts and to generally wonk out. Before the end of the evening we\'ll chat about what, if anything, we would want to get out of a group of regularly meeting T-Towners who really get something out of hitting that \"post now\" button every now and then.<br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">Basically, we\'re gauging how interested Tulsa bloggers would be in taking over the world.<br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4006917422/\" title=\"Anatomy of a Blogger by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Anatomy of a Blogger\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2611/4006917422_d54ab05643.jpg\" width=\"236\" /></a><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">Because we\'re suited to rule the world. Obviously.<br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">Here again are the event details:<br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"><b>WHO: You, the Tulsa-area blogger</b><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"><b>WHAT: A gathering of Tulsa-area bloggers, just for fun</b><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"><b>WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 4, 7pm</b><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"><b>WHERE: Joe Momma\'s, 112 S. Elgin&nbsp;</b><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">Once you ink the details of this event into your calendar, be a pal and <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">send me a quick e-mail as an RSVP</a>. Better yet, <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=264093247975\">if you\'re on Facebook, RSVP there</a>&nbsp;(and spy on who else says they\'re coming, too). As always, <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">if you have any questions or comments or good jokes, shoot me an e-mail</a>.<br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">If you\'re the man or woman behind the curtain of a blog based in the Tulsa area, please join us. It\'ll be fun. Plus, all of your wildest dreams will come true. And you won\'t have to thank anyone but yourself for the pleasure.<br /></div>','Calling all Tulsa Bloggers','','publish','open','open','','calling-all-tulsa-bloggers','','','2010-01-22 20:00:00','2010-01-22 20:00:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=437',0,'post','',14),(438,1,'2010-01-24 18:12:00','2010-01-24 18:12:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4291635328/\" title=\"The Dentist by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The Dentist\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2708/4291635328_3bed82eb6d.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a><br /></div><br />Earlier this week we had our first dentist appointment. Well, not my first dentist appointment. My son\'s. It was his first dentist appointment. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4291633264/\" title=\"The Dentist by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The Dentist\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2771/4291633264_9d5817827f.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a><br /></div><br />That\'s pretty much my sentiment, sweetheart. The dentist and I aren\'t exactly buds. After three years of orthodontia and countless appointments spent pinned down and wired with metal in the chair of <a href=\"http://www.tulsabraces.com/\">a nice man named Dr. Katz</a>, I wasn\'t exactly giddy to hop back into a dentist\'s chair.<br /><br />Read more about our experience at <a href=\"http://www.theperfectsmiletulsa.com/\">the office of Dr. Mark Davis</a> on <a href=\"http://www.ttownmoms.com/?page=blogs/view&amp;BLID=7286\">my blog at Ttownmoms.com</a>.','The Dentist and the Kid','','publish','open','open','','dentist-and-kid','','','2010-01-24 18:12:00','2010-01-24 18:12:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=438',0,'post','',0),(439,1,'2010-01-24 21:00:00','2010-01-24 21:00:00','<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1y3ZOYVI4I/AAAAAAAABn4/KvrEC-qoe2U/s1600-h/Picture+18.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"275\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1y3ZOYVI4I/AAAAAAAABn4/KvrEC-qoe2U/s640/Picture+18.png\" width=\"518\" /></a><br /></div><br />In finally sitting down to <a href=\"http://oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/2009/12/annoucing-categories-for-2009-okie-blog.html\">make my nominations for the 2010 Oklahoma Blog Awards</a>, I decided that I\'d like to share about a few of the blogs that have caught my attention.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>First, a bit about the Oklahoma Blog Awards. I\'ve said it before and I\'ll say it again: I love OBA season. It\'s the time of year when I get to reflect on the state of blogging on a number of levels - nationally, locally, personally. Plus, I always end up adding a slew of new blogs to my reader, and I usually make a few new friends, too.<br /><br />And, oh, the ideas - Oklahoma bloggers are one creative group, let me tell you. I get tons of ideas for my own blog from poring over their words, photos and audio. For anyone who likes to write, take photos and/or talk into a microphone, Oklahoma blogs are breeding grounds for inspiration.<br /><br />And now for the fabulous.<br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1yxJKZ5xcI/AAAAAAAABno/A40RqgiXj5Q/s1600-h/Picture+15.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"71\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1yxJKZ5xcI/AAAAAAAABno/A40RqgiXj5Q/s400/Picture+15.png\" width=\"400\" /></a><br /></div><br /><b><a href=\"http://carlessintulsa.blogspot.com/\">Carless in Tulsa</a></b>. What are the challenges and obstacles to living life without the car in Tulsa? What are the benefits? Read this blog and join in on the journey as a young couple spends a month - a <i>winter</i> month, no less - carless in Tulsa.<br /><br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1ybMRc8cVI/AAAAAAAABmw/QXWEchvqN-g/s1600-h/Picture+7.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"87\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1ybMRc8cVI/AAAAAAAABmw/QXWEchvqN-g/s400/Picture+7.png\" width=\"400\" /></a><br /></div><br /><b><a href=\"http://tulsagal.blogspot.com/\">Tulsa Gal\'s Blog</a></b>. For a hearty helping of Tulsa stories and historical photos, this blog is the place to be.<br /><br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1yeJ8sczrI/AAAAAAAABm4/FBpglyIYUCQ/s1600-h/Picture+8.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"82\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1yeJ8sczrI/AAAAAAAABm4/FBpglyIYUCQ/s400/Picture+8.png\" width=\"400\" /></a><br /></div><br /><b><a href=\"http://www.misswisabus.com/\">Miss Wisabus</a></b>. Excellent writing. It\'s so good that I read to the end of her latest post (on the topic of her recent dual with the stomach virus that\'s been going around) and wanted to know where I could go to learn even more about her fever and body aches. That takes talent, people.<br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1yfeDi_tvI/AAAAAAAABnI/4IsqW6uTS4Q/s1600-h/Picture+11.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"87\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1yfeDi_tvI/AAAAAAAABnI/4IsqW6uTS4Q/s400/Picture+11.png\" width=\"400\" /></a><br /></div><br /><b><a href=\"http://lostcityknits.blogspot.com/\">Knitting in the Wild - Life on Clear Creek</a></b>. Country living. Family. Life. Knitting. And chocolate. I ask you, what more in this world is there? Well, maybe monster trucks, but I can overlook monster trucks from time to time myself.<br /><br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1yg8xeQ4sI/AAAAAAAABnQ/8KZV5Nqahwk/s1600-h/Picture+12.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"77\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1yg8xeQ4sI/AAAAAAAABnQ/8KZV5Nqahwk/s400/Picture+12.png\" width=\"400\" /></a><br /></div><br /><b><a href=\"http://www.jenx67.com/\">are you there, God? it\'s me, generation x</a></b>. Written by the coordinator of the 2010 Oklahoma Blog Awards herself, Jennifer James (what is it with the best of PR professionals in Oklahoma and alliterative names? Jennifer James, Ryan Rex, Lindsay Laird, Kari Culp...), this blog isn\'t exactly new on the scene, but its content is always fresh and interesting. And gen-seXy.<br /><br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1yimycoPzI/AAAAAAAABnY/MwGj1qAC214/s1600-h/Picture+13.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"62\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1yimycoPzI/AAAAAAAABnY/MwGj1qAC214/s400/Picture+13.png\" width=\"400\" /></a><br /></div><br /><b><a href=\"http://www.digibutter.com/\">Digibutter</a></b>. Because of <a href=\"http://www.digibutter.com/?p=130\">this post</a>. I couldn\'t relate more.<br /><br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1yxmuU8VVI/AAAAAAAABnw/fa89vjACZZU/s1600-h/Picture+17.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"86\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S1yxmuU8VVI/AAAAAAAABnw/fa89vjACZZU/s400/Picture+17.png\" width=\"400\" /></a><br /></div><b><br /></b><br /><b>Microbloggers</b>. This is a new category in the Oklahoma Blog Awards this year, and I\'m so glad. <a href=\"http://twitter.com/tashadoestulsa\">I\'m a bonafide Twitter addict</a>. As many people as I follow to get a good feel of not just what\'s going on in Tulsa but also what people are saying about it, I don\'t get to read every tweet, every day. There are, however, a few local Twitter users with whom I make a point to check in daily. They are <a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/talkradiojoe\">talkradiojoe</a>&nbsp;(<a href=\"http://krmg.com/krmgmorningnews\">KRMG morning show host Joe Kelley</a>), <a href=\"http://twitter.com/andreamyers\">andreamyers</a> (Andrea Myers), <a href=\"http://twitter.com/theredneckdiva\">theredneckdiva</a> (<a href=\"http://www.theredneckdiva.com/\">Kristin in Miami</a> - hey, it\'s close enough to Tulsa)&nbsp;<a href=\"http://twitter.com/thepioneerwoman\">thepioneerwoman</a> (duh, it\'s <a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/\">Ree Drummond</a>) and the shark at <a href=\"http://twitter.com/okaquarium\">OKAquarium</a>. Yes, a shark. Just trust me on this one and hit the follow button.<br /><br />While we\'re on the subject of blogging, I\'d like to reiterate that the Tulsa-area bloggers are getting together for some <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=264093247975&amp;ref=ts\">beer, pizza, prizes and chitchat Thursday, Feb. 4 at 7pm at Joe Momma\'s downtown</a>. If you\'re going (and I hope you are), be sure to <a href=\"http://tulsaproject.com/images/offsite/m/\">grab one of these badges</a> to display on your blog to help spread the word. Okay? Okay. See you there.<br /><br />The open nominations period for the Oklahoma Blog Awards ends Feb. 2, <a href=\"http://oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/2009/12/annoucing-categories-for-2009-okie-blog.html\">so if you\'re an Oklahoma blogger, get your votes in now</a>. Then high-five yourself in the mirror but not too hard because, duh, who needs that?','2010 Oklahoma Blog Awards. And word noms.','','publish','open','open','','2010-oklahoma-blog-awards','','','2010-01-24 21:00:00','2010-01-24 21:00:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=439',0,'post','',8),(440,1,'2010-01-25 02:50:00','2010-01-25 02:50:00','<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.tulsaoilers.com/tickets/\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"205\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S10IeOqGGEI/AAAAAAAABoA/D62rdm7STVo/s400/Picture+3.png\" width=\"400\" /></a><br /></div><br />Looking for something to do with the kids this week? Get out your calendars and get ready to take notes, because I have a few ideas. <br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Monday: Elmo Tickets/Dinner Out</span><br />When: 10am<br />Where: <a href=\"http://bokcenter.com/\">BOK Center</a>/<a href=\"http://brewburgertulsa.com/\">Brewburger Tulsa</a>, 6577 E. 71st Street<br />In case you somehow haven\'t heard, Elmo is coming to town. He\'ll be here March 25-28, and Monday morning at 10am is when tickets go on sale. Procure them early. Then, take the kids out for dinner. Brewburger, an indie south Tulsa burger joint that offers everything from your classic burger to a fish burger pattied fresh by Bodean\'s, offers kids\' dinners for $1 on Monday nights. You\'ll be smiling - and wiping delicious burger juice from your chin - all the way to the bank.<br /><br /><b>Tuesday: Two for Tuesdays, Science Under the Stars</b><br />When: 6:30pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://okaquarium.org/\">Oklahoma Aquarium</a>, 300 Aquarium Drive in Jenks<br />Get two tickets to the Oklahoma Aquarium for the price of one on Tuesdays, also the night the Aquarium stays open late, now through Feb. 23. Stick around until 6:30 for Science Under the Stars. The first program is What Bugs You?, or a look into what our world would be like without insects.<br /><br /><b>Wednesday: Circus iPhone Photography Show</b><br />Where: <a href=\"http://circlecinema.com/\">Circle Cinema Gallery</a>, 10 S. Lewis Ave.<br />No, the circus isn\'t in town, but these photos, <a href=\"http://www.raffephoto.com/\">amazingly shot with an iPhone camera</a>, are even better than the real thing. Don\'t forget to ask your kids lots of questions about what they think is going on in the photos, as well as how they think they were shot. You might just find out that your kids are smarter than you think. All photos by <a href=\"http://www.raffephoto.com/\">Tulsa photographer Scott Raffe</a>.<br /><br /><b>Thursday: Tales at Twilight and Richter and Uzar Duo</b><br />When: 6:30pm; 7pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://tulsalibrary.org/\">Hardesty Regional Library</a>, 8316 E. 93rd Street<br />Squeeze a story time in at 6:30 before heading over to Connor\'s Cove (adjacent to Hardesty) for a 7pm concert. Hailed as one of the finest guitarists and composers of the 21st century, Richter and his collaborator, Uzar, will perform a variety of music, from classical to contemporary.<br /><br /><b>Friday: Tulsa Oilers Jersey Night</b><br />When: 7:35pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://bokcenter.com/\">BOK Center</a>, 200 N. Denver Ave.<br />Not only do kids get in free to the Oilers game Friday night, but the first 500 munchkins who make it through the door get free Oilers jerseys, too. <a href=\"http://www.tulsaoilers.com/tickets/\">Click here or on the image above to get the free ticket</a> and, of course, plan to get there early.<br /><br />To stay plugged in to everything going on in Tulsa that\'d be of interest to your kids (or to you as the person who gets to parent those kids), <a href=\"http://ttownmoms.com/\">check out Ttownmoms.com</a>.','Things to Do With the Kids in Tulsa This Week','','publish','open','open','','things-to-do-with-kids-in-tulsa-this','','','2010-01-25 02:50:00','2010-01-25 02:50:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=440',0,'post','',4),(441,1,'2010-01-26 21:08:00','2010-01-26 21:08:00','<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S19ZZLAYZEI/AAAAAAAABoI/OBsAjiodgFw/s1600-h/Recently+Updated.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"350\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S19ZZLAYZEI/AAAAAAAABoI/OBsAjiodgFw/s640/Recently+Updated.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a><br /></div><br /><a href=\"http://www.blogger.com/goog_1264535710994\">Urban Tulsa Weekly arts writer Holly Wall put together a set of stories on the debut of native Tulsan Tracy Letts\' </a><i><a href=\"http://www.blogger.com/goog_1264535710994\">August: Osage County</a></i><a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A29073\"> for the Jan. 21 edition</a> and let me tell you, it has me all excited in a my-family-is-dysfunctional-too! sort of way.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><i><a href=\"http://www.blogger.com/goog_1264535711009\">August: Osage County</a></i><a href=\"http://www.augustonbroadway.com/home.php\"> is the story of the Westons</a>, a large extended family that comes together at their rural Oklahoma homestead when the alcoholic patriarch disappears. Forced to confront unspoken truths and astonishing secrets, the family must also contend with matriarch Violet, a pill-popping, deeply unsettled woman at the center of this storm.<br /><br />From Wall\'s Family Is Where the Drama Is: August: Osage County debuts close-to-home family tale:<br /><blockquote>\"\'My wife takes pills and I drink.\'\"<br /></blockquote><blockquote>It sounds like a match made in heaven, doesn\'t it? Those words are the opening lines of Tracy Letts\' acclaimed <i>August: Osage County</i>.<br /></blockquote><blockquote>Anticipation is bubbling over for the return of the native, so to speak. Letts brings his epic (three-and-a-half hours and counting), award-winning (a Tony, a Pulitzer, an Outer Critics\' Circle, a New York Drama Critics\' Circle and two Drama Desks) masterpiece to Tulsa, only 50 miles from Pawhuska, the town on which it is based...<br /></blockquote><blockquote>Letts\' portrait of a dysfuntional, Midwestern American family took tawdry New York City by storm as much for Letts\' storytelling as for his trenchant commentary on the contemporary red state of affairs.<br /></blockquote><blockquote>Perhaps that\'s what we\'re most looking forward to: We don\'t just want to see Letts\' brilliant work come to life on stage (and later, on screen); we want to see ourselves as we are, whether we are ready for it or not. Here it comes.<br /></blockquote><br />What\'s more exciting about this play is how it carries those favorite words, as evidenced by our obsession with reality television and the memoir literary form, of the American people: \"Based on a true story.\"<br /><br />See, the play is based on Letts\' own family life. As you probably already know, Tracy wasn\'t the only one to bring fame to the Letts name - his mother, Billie, is the author of several novels, perhaps most notably <i>Where the Heart Is</i>, and his father was actor Dennis Letts, the first to play the patriarch in <i>August: Osage County</i> on Broadway. The play draws heavily from Billie\'s family and the events that took place within it when Tracy was just old enough to remember.<br /><br />If you want to know more about the play, you really must pick up the UTW and open to page 16. Holly\'s not known as the preeminent arts writer in Tulsa for nothin\'.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://www.blogger.com/goog_1264535710999\">The curtain goes up on </a><i><a href=\"http://www.blogger.com/goog_1264535710999\">August: Osage County</a></i><a href=\"http://www.tulsapac.com/calendar.asp?id=1135&amp;task=display\"> for the first time tonight at 7pm</a>. The show continues through Jan. 31.&nbsp;Please keep in mind that this play is intended for mature audiences only. But, trust me, you won\'t find a better excuse to hire a sitter. Tickets are $20-55 - really, a pittance to pay for the entertainment of your life.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://kjrh.com/weather\">If the forecast for Ice Storm 2010 is true</a> and you\'re seriously weighing your safety against your chance to see this play live on stage, don\'t fret. Call (918) 596-7109 to swap your tickets for one of next week\'s showings. Ain\'t no thing. <br /><br />If for some reason that surely involves peril of life or limb you don\'t get to a showing of <i>August: Osage County</i> before the curtains fall at the end of this month, sit tight. A film adaptation of the play is on the way to the silver screen.','August: Osage County Arrives in Tulsa','','publish','open','open','','august-osage-county-arrives-in-tulsa','','','2010-01-26 21:08:00','2010-01-26 21:08:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=441',0,'post','',1),(442,1,'2011-01-19 07:00:00','2011-01-19 12:00:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4206304301/\" title=\"Snow Day 2009 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Snow Day 2009\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4206304301_339afc03f2.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\nYou can\'t say the word \"ice\" within earshot of Oklahoma without scaring the living daylights out of us. Blistering heat we can handle. Straight-line winds, no problem. Tornadoes are a spectator sport around here. &nbsp;We whine when it snows but for the most part, we can take it.\r\n\r\nAs for ice and snow? hell no, we won\'t go.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\nIn making my own preparations for the impending snow storm, I did a quick search for a checklist of items I should have around the house, just to make sure I don\'t forget something small but vital.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.fema.gov/hazard/winter/wi_before.shtm\">Here\'s a list from FEMA</a>. <a href=\"http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/wntrstm.htm\">Here\'s one from the National Weather Service</a>&nbsp;(scroll, baby, scroll). <a href=\"http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/WinterStorms.pdf\">Here\'s a PDF from the Red Cross</a>. \r\n\r\nAny Oklahoman who survived the legendary 2007 ice storm can tick these winter storm safety items off from memory. Basically, it\'s all about water, firewood, batteries, candles and non-perishable food. \r\n\r\nBut, what about the things we didn\'t know we\'d need until we needed them? Here are a few I\'ve had to do without.\r\n\r\n<b>Toilet paper</b>. Okay? Okay.\r\n\r\n<b>Stuff to keep your mind busy</b>. When the power\'s out, there\'s not much to do - not anything that we\'re overly used to doing, anyway (except for one certain thing - see below). Idea: Hit your local library branch tonight or tomorrow and stock up on books for you, books for the kids, books for everybody. Don\'t forget candles to read by and matches to light them. Another idea: Spring for a few of those silly-looking board and card games you\'ve been curious about. They might be worth their weight in gold come Friday afternoon.\r\n\r\n<b>Plenty of clean clothes</b>. When our power went out not long into the storm three years ago, our house lost heat more quickly than I like to recall. Trouble was, I hadn\'t done laundry. I didn\'t have much that was clean to put on to keep the chill away. That I was pregnant and didn\'t have much that fit in the first place didn\'t help matters. Word to the wise: If you didn\'t finish your laundry over the weekend, finish it tonight and tomorrow. Your fancy laundering machines may not have a power source come Thursday night after ice has been raining down on our power lines for a few hours.\r\n\r\n<b>Cornstarch</b>. Think of it as dry cleaning for your hair. After several days without hot water and the electricity needed to see yourself in a mirror, let alone to power your hair styling appliances, your hair might resemble an oil slick or worse. That\'s no good if you\'re one of the folks who can\'t miss work, no matter how bad it gets outside. A little sprinkle on the oily parts and a thorough brush-through will do you good. Ladies, if you\'re smart and you\'ve been growing out your hair since the Ice Storm of 2007, you can sport a ponytail like the rest of us. Grab some hair ties while you\'re out and about stocking up.\r\n\r\n<b>Contraceptives</b>. If I\'d had some, it would have been a little late in coming - I was six months pregnant with my son in Dec. 2007. But, did anyone else notice how many babies there were at the Tulsa State Fair in September/October 2008? I\'m just sayin\'.\r\n\r\nNow, think. What did you wish you\'d had during the Christmas Eve 2009 blizzard, or the 2007 ice storm? Check the comments for even more ideas on how to stock up.\r\n\r\n<em>Updated from a Jan. 2010 post here at TDT.</em>','What to Have on Hand During an Oklahoma Winter Storm','You can\'t say the word \"ice\" within earshot of Oklahoma without scaring the living daylights out of us.','publish','open','open','','what-to-have-on-hand-during-oklahoma-snow-storm','','','2011-01-19 09:59:10','2011-01-19 14:59:10','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=442',0,'post','',22),(5249,1,'2011-01-19 08:05:40','2011-01-19 13:05:40','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4206304301/\" title=\"Snow Day 2009 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Snow Day 2009\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4206304301_339afc03f2.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nYou can\'t say the word \"ice\" within earshot of Oklahoma without scaring the living daylights out of us. Blistering heat we can handle. Straight-line winds, no problem. Tornadoes are a spectator sport around here. &nbsp;We whine when it snows but for the most part, we can take it.\r\n\r\nAs for ice and snow? hell no, we won\'t go.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nIn making my own preparations for the impending snow storm, I did a quick search for a checklist of items I should have around the house, just to make sure I don\'t forget something small but vital.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.fema.gov/hazard/winter/wi_before.shtm\">Here\'s a list from FEMA</a>. <a href=\"http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/wntrstm.htm\">Here\'s one from the National Weather Service</a>&nbsp;(scroll, baby, scroll). <a href=\"http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/WinterStorms.pdf\">Here\'s a PDF from the Red Cross</a>. \r\n\r\nAny Oklahoman who survived the legendary 2007 ice storm can tick these winter storm safety items off from memory. Basically, it\'s all about water, firewood, batteries, candles and non-perishable food. \r\n\r\nBut, what about the things we didn\'t know we\'d need until we needed them? Here are a few I\'ve had to do without.\r\n\r\n<b>Toilet paper</b>. Okay? Okay.\r\n\r\n<b>Stuff to keep your mind busy</b>. When the power\'s out, there\'s not much to do - not anything that we\'re overly used to doing, anyway (except for one certain thing - see below). Idea: Hit your local library branch tonight or tomorrow and stock up on books for you, books for the kids, books for everybody. Don\'t forget candles to read by and matches to light them. Another idea: Spring for a few of those silly-looking board and card games you\'ve been curious about. They might be worth their weight in gold come Friday afternoon.\r\n\r\n<b>Plenty of clean clothes</b>. When our power went out not long into the storm three years ago, our house lost heat more quickly than I like to recall. Trouble was, I hadn\'t done laundry. I didn\'t have much that was clean to put on to keep the chill away. That I was pregnant and didn\'t have much that fit in the first place didn\'t help matters. Word to the wise: If you didn\'t finish your laundry over the weekend, finish it tonight and tomorrow. Your fancy laundering machines may not have a power source come Thursday night after ice has been raining down on our power lines for a few hours.\r\n\r\n<b>Cornstarch</b>. Think of it as dry cleaning for your hair. After several days without hot water and the electricity needed to see yourself in a mirror, let alone to power your hair styling appliances, your hair might resemble an oil slick or worse. That\'s no good if you\'re one of the folks who can\'t miss work, no matter how bad it gets outside. A little sprinkle on the oily parts and a thorough brush-through will do you good. Ladies, if you\'re smart and you\'ve been growing out your hair since the Ice Storm of 2007, you can sport a ponytail like the rest of us. Grab some hair ties while you\'re out and about stocking up.\r\n\r\n<b>Contraceptives</b>. If I\'d had some, it would have been a little late in coming - I was six months pregnant with my son in Dec. 2007. But, did anyone else notice how many babies there were at the Tulsa State Fair in September/October 2008? I\'m just sayin\'.\r\n\r\nNow, think. What did you wish you\'d had during the Christmas Eve 2009 blizzard, or the 2007 ice storm?\r\n\r\n<em>Updated from a Jan. 2010 post here at TDT.</em>','What to Have on Hand During an Oklahoma Winter Storm','You can\'t say the word \"ice\" within earshot of Oklahoma without scaring the living daylights out of us.','inherit','open','open','','442-revision-2','','','2011-01-19 08:05:40','2011-01-19 13:05:40','',442,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/01/442-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(445,1,'2010-01-29 19:53:00','2010-01-29 19:53:00','<iframe src=\"http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&amp;hl=en&amp;msa=0&amp;msid=215039893703950646301.00049a5de79b4359a69ba&amp;ll=36.130665,-95.927811&amp;spn=0.231261,0.349503&amp;z=11&amp;output=embed\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" width=\"510\" height=\"420\"></iframe>\r\n<small>View <a style=\"color: #0000ff; text-align: left;\" href=\"http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&amp;hl=en&amp;msa=0&amp;msid=215039893703950646301.00049a5de79b4359a69ba&amp;ll=36.130665,-95.927811&amp;spn=0.231261,0.349503&amp;z=11&amp;source=embed\">Best Sledding Spots in Tulsa</a> in a larger map</small>\r\n\r\nAs I\'m wont to do on a snowy day in Tulsa, I hopped on <a href=\"http://twitter.com/tashadoestulsa\">Twitter</a> and <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsa\">Facebook</a> to see where the best sledding spots are in Green Country.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\nHere are a few answers from the Facebook- and Twitter-verse:\r\n<blockquote>I live in Turner Park, and I\'ve been hoping for a chance to sled over at Rogers High [see address below].... They have a field that is like a huge bowl!</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>Harwelden [2210 S. Main Street] is normally a winner and there\'s a great two-sided hill on the back/north side of Cherry Hills at 36th between Lakewood and Joplin.</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>Check with McBirney Mansion [1414 S. Galveston]. They have a great hill out back, and I think they sometimes do sledding there.</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>BA on sixty first just east of bass pro shop [Not Tulsa proper, but close enough]</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>Grab your sled. It\'s time to head to the hills at the Bass Pro Shop in BA [Hey, if everybody else is jumping off a bridge, shouldn\'t you at least seriously consider it?]</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>Isn\'t this kind of like fishing holes? You don\'t really want to give the best spots away? P.S. It doesn\'t get much better than Chandler Park...really.</blockquote>\r\nUPDATE, Jan. 21, 2011//Here are a very suggestions I\'ve pulled from the comments section on this post:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Zink Park, 3216 S. Trenton Ave.</li>\r\n	<li>Woodland Hills Mall, 71st and Memorial, the hills on the north side of the block</li>\r\n	<li>41st and Mingo, near Roy Clark Elementary</li>\r\n	<li>Will Rogers High School, 3909 East 5th Place</li>\r\n	<li>McClure Park, 7440 E. 7th St.</li>\r\n	<li>Chandler Park, 6500 W. 21st Street</li>\r\n	<li>23rd and Riverside</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nI imagine any city park/potential retention pond would be a great place to go sledding, too.\r\n\r\nGot your own secret sledding spot? Go ahead, spill the beans and share the location in the comments.','Best Sledding Spots in Tulsa','As I\'m wont to do on a snowy day in Tulsa, I hopped on Twitter and Facebook to see where the best sledding spots are in Green Country.','publish','open','open','','best-sledding-spots-in-tulsa','','','2011-11-14 16:32:25','2011-11-14 22:32:25','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=445',0,'post','',19),(5158,1,'2011-01-13 17:35:37','2011-01-13 22:35:37','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5093\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/01/tulsa-music-weekend-tj-rocks-tulsa/tj/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-5093  aligncenter\" title=\"T.J. Clark\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/tj.jpg\" alt=\"T.J. Clark\" width=\"369\" height=\"552\" /></a></p>\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/tag/tj-rocks-tulsa/\">TDT music columnist T.J. Clark</a> serves up the inside scoop on where to find the sweetest music for your earholes this weekend in Tulsa. Get it hot and fresh here.\n<!--more-->\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\n\n<strong>Thursday at <a href=\"http://www.cainsballroom.com/\">Cain\'s Ballroom</a>: Taddy Porter</strong>. Taddy Porter could very easily be the next band from Oklahoma to make a major national impact. For that matter, it could easily be Vandevander too, whose song “1000” was recently used on a promo for HBO’s “Weeds.” Basically, you need to be at this show. <em>Especially</em> if you’re a fan of, say, The Black Keys, or other blues-influenced rockers.\n\n<strong>Saturday at <a href=\"http://www.thesoundpony.com/\">Soundpony</a>: Native Lights/Depth & Current </strong>\nFull Disclosure: I documented Native Lights as they recorded their debut album in an abandoned old cattle auction-house/cowboy-church in Hominy, OK. Even though I was there to witness first hand the (amazing) process, I feel I can objectively say that it\'s going to be not only the most ambitious album to come out of Oklahoma, but it may be one of the greatest albums you’ll hear in 2011. You can get a preview at Soundpony Saturday night, since they\'ll play their forthcoming album in its entirety. (The equally awesome Depth & Current open. Don’t miss this chance to see a great band from one of our neighbors down the turnpike).\n\nFor even more options for your live music listening pleasure, check out this\nweekend\'s rundown of events, music and movies in Tulsa, available first thing Friday morning. While you\'re at it, <a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/tjclark\">be sure to follow T.J. on Twitter</a> - all the cool kids are doing it.','TJ Rocks Tulsa: Picks for live music this weekend','TDT music columnist T.J. Clark</a> serves up the inside scoop on where to find the sweetest music for your earholes this weekend in Tulsa. Get it hot and fresh here.','inherit','open','open','','5155-revision-3','','','2011-01-13 17:35:37','2011-01-13 22:35:37','',5155,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/01/5155-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5157,1,'2011-01-13 17:29:50','2011-01-13 22:29:50','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5093\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/01/tulsa-music-weekend-tj-rocks-tulsa/tj/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-5093  aligncenter\" title=\"T.J. Clark\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/tj.jpg\" alt=\"T.J. Clark\" width=\"369\" height=\"552\" /></a></p>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/tag/tj-rocks-tulsa/\">TDT music columnist T.J. Clark</a> serves up the inside scoop on where to find the sweetest music for your earholes this weekend in Tulsa. Get it hot and fresh here.\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n<strong>Friday at <a href=\"http://thesoundpony.com/\">Soundpony</a></strong>. Benefit for Brandy Iliff. Brandy is a local bartender and local concert organizer who is battling kidney failure and in desperate need of a kidney transplant. There\'s a suggested donation of $5 and in exchange you get to see seven of Tulsa\'s greatest and most rowdy bands (I\'m pushing for Rowdy Rock to be a new sub-genre): Northside Hot Dogs, The Dulldrums, Lizard Police, Midtown &amp; Down, Lunar City, Barf Makeout and Rude Amps.\r\n\r\n<strong>Sunday at The Colony</strong>. As one of the bands you\'ll find regularly at\r\n<a href=\"http://www.thecolonytulsa.com/\">The Colony</a>, Pilgrim is a prime example of \"The New Tulsa Sound\" as featured on <a href=\"http://www.thecolonytulsa.com/#456/soundcloud\">the great compilation of the same name that was released last year</a>. Blues-y, rock-y, red dirt-y, the band\'s sound has a little bit of it all. And seriously, if you haven\'t yet seen a show at The Colony, it needs to become part of your New Year\'s resolution\r\npackage. There\'s great music coming out of that place almost nightly.\r\n\r\n<strong>Coming up Thursday at <a href=\"http://www.cainsballroom.com/\">Cain\'s Ballroom</a></strong>. Taddy Porter could very easily be the next band from Oklahoma to make a major national impact. For that matter, it could easily be Vandevander too, whose song “1000” was recently used on a promo for HBO’s “Weeds.” Basically, you need to be at this show. <em>Especially</em> if you’re a fan of, say, The Black Keys, or other blues-influenced rockers.\r\n\r\nFor even more options for your live music listening pleasure, check out <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/01/things-to-do-in-tulsa-this-weekend-7/\">this\r\nweekend\'s rundown of events, music and movies in Tulsa</a>. While you\'re at it, <a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/tjclark\">be sure to follow T.J. on Twitter</a> - all the cool kids are doing it.','','','inherit','open','open','','5155-revision-2','','','2011-01-13 17:29:50','2011-01-13 22:29:50','',5155,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/01/5155-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(446,1,'2010-01-30 21:40:00','2010-01-30 21:40:00','One hill. One sled. One blogger. The battle lines have been drawn here in Tulsa, Oklahoma.<br /><br /><object height=\"344\" width=\"425\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/bZP1CLjTVzc&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/bZP1CLjTVzc&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"425\" height=\"344\"></embed></object><br /><br />Leave your links to your Ice Storm 2010 photos and videos in the comments. Please? I wanna see.','Sledding Through Ice Storm 2010','','publish','open','open','','sledding-through-ice-storm-2010','','','2010-01-30 21:40:00','2010-01-30 21:40:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=446',0,'post','',10),(447,1,'2010-02-02 02:25:00','2010-02-02 02:25:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S2eKaU3lDeI/AAAAAAAABog/5UCKFGCW9zU/s1600-h/WB+Snowy+Construction.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"341\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S2eKaU3lDeI/AAAAAAAABog/5UCKFGCW9zU/s400/WB+Snowy+Construction.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />In case you managed to not turn on the TV or radio during <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/01/what-to-have-on-hand-during-oklahoma.html\">Ice Storm 2010</a>, you might have missed that Tulsa is playing host to the crew of <a href=\"http://www.blogger.com/goog_1265074254198\">ABC\'s </a><i><a href=\"http://www.blogger.com/goog_1265074254198\">Extreme Makeover: Home Edition</a></i>. Thanks to the show and its local partners, including <a href=\"http://simmonshomes.com/\">Simmons Homes of Owasso</a>, the Starkweather family of 1124 S. Indianapolis Ave. in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will soon have a new place to call home.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>The door knock came Thursday morning. The Starkweathers were, of course and rather by design, surprised. I mean, how often do people show up at our front door to inform us that they are not only going to demolish our house, but they\'re also building a brand-new one that will better accommodate the special needs of your individual family?<br /><br />It\'s magical, that door knock. Lives change within a matter of seconds.<br /><br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S2eKaU3lDeI/AAAAAAAABog/5UCKFGCW9zU/s1600-h/WB+Snowy+Construction.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"341\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S2eKaU3lDeI/AAAAAAAABog/5UCKFGCW9zU/s400/WB+Snowy+Construction.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />As of this morning, the Extreme team, made up largely of local volunteers (you guys rock!), was painting the new home\'s interior, installing kitchen cabinetry and preparing to pour a new driveway.<br /><br />As in, since late last week and in spite of the snow and ice that rained from the skies Thursday and Friday, this crew has demolished and rebuilt this house. <i>An entire home</i>. That I can\'t wrap my mind around this feat of human endurance and compassion doesn\'t change that it happened.<br /><br />Volunteers will continue to work through Wednesday, when the big truck will be moved and the completed home will be unveiled to the Starkweather family. The length of time it will have taken to complete the build should come in at just under 100 hours. Amazing.<br /><br />The Starkweather family was nominated for the show by <a href=\"http://www.oklahoma.wish.org/\">Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma</a>. At five weeks old, the youngest member of the Starkweather family, Ethan, now 9, was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder that affects his muscle tone. Plus, he feels constant hunger. This precious young man requires his parents\' constant, 24-hour care.<br /><br />The care of healthy children is challenging enough. It\'s easy to understand why the house fell into disrepair.<br /><br />Ethan is a Make-A-Wish ambassador these days. Thanks to MAWFO, he went to Disney World last year. Now he helps to raise money to grant the wishes of other children.<br /><br />Oh, my heart. Those Make-A-Wish children, they are dream makers.<br /><br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S2eKnpmq4hI/AAAAAAAABoo/pfREJK_wBd4/s1600-h/WB+Framing.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"341\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S2eKnpmq4hI/AAAAAAAABoo/pfREJK_wBd4/s400/WB+Framing.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Demolition of the Starkweather home began over the weekend, ice-encrusted though it was. A mere two days from now, on Feb. 3, Ethan and his family will see their new home for the first time.<br /><br />The hour-long episode of <i>Extreme Makeover</i>&nbsp;starring the Starkweather family will air in early March.<br /><br /><br /><b>How You Can Help</b><br /><br />Even if you can\'t be around to help build the house, you can still be part of the magic. The creators of <i>Extreme Makeover </i>are hosting a community-wide food drive to benefit <a href=\"http://www.cfbeo.org/\">the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma</a>. The drive will also benefit <a href=\"http://sitgowasso.org/\">Standing in the Gap</a>, an Owasso-based food pantry.<br /><br />Simply bring non-perishable food items - it matters not how much, because when there\'s a 40-percent increase in the number of people in Eastern Oklahoma in need of food assistance, every little bit counts - to the <i>Extreme Makeover</i> staging area at the <a href=\"http://exposquare.com/\">Expo Square Pavilion</a>, 17th and Louisville. The drop-off is open 7am to 8pm. That leaves plenty of time before and after work to swing by the fairgrounds to make a donation. <br /><br />If the Pavilion is still out of your way, food donations for this program are accepted at all Tulsa, Bartlesville and Owasso Starbucks locations. And we all know how practically everyone is within sniffing distance of a Starbucks.<br /><br /><br /><b>Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in Tulsa Blogs</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />Want to know more than you can find in the papers and on TV about how the build is going? Read on.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://www.thesouthernfamily.net/2010/01/in-case-you-didnt-know.html\">In Case You Didn\'t Know</a>, by @ajsouthern<br /><a href=\"http://www.thesouthernfamily.net/2010/01/how-it-was.html\">How it Was</a>, by @ajsouthern<br /><a href=\"http://tulsadetails.blogspot.com/2010/01/excitement-in-my-world-parties-around.html\">Excitement in My World</a>, by @tulsadetails<br /><a href=\"http://fransfindings.blogspot.com/2010/01/extreme-hunkered-down-ready.html\">Extreme, Hunkered Down and Ready</a>, by @franbevel<br /><a href=\"http://aftonstationblog-laurel.blogspot.com/2010/01/extremes-in-tulsa.html\">Extremes in Tulsa</a>, by Laurel at Thoughts from a Route 66 Business Owner<br /><br />So. Will you be watching on Feb. 3 for the revealing of the new Starkweather home?<br />,<br /><i>Photos by Walt Beazley.</i>','Extreme Makeover in Tulsa: No, Really. It\'s XTREME.','','publish','open','open','','extreme-makeover-in-tulsa-no-really-its','','','2010-02-02 02:25:00','2010-02-02 02:25:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=447',0,'post','',2),(448,1,'2010-02-02 03:18:00','2010-02-02 03:18:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S2eXow4OKkI/AAAAAAAABow/NOPaVxqpGsk/s1600-h/finished_s.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S2eXow4OKkI/AAAAAAAABow/NOPaVxqpGsk/s400/finished_s.jpg\" width=\"341\" /></a></div><br />Almost 40 of my fellow Tulsa-area bloggers have agreed <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=264093247975&amp;ref=ss\">to show up at Joe Momma\'s this Thursday evening for the first Tulsa blogger meetup in many a moon</a>.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>First, that\'d be a pretty darned good turnout for a group of people typecast as the behind-the-scenes, reclusive sort. &nbsp;Second,&nbsp;I bet you all didn\'t know there were 40 bloggers in the Tulsa area at all.<br /><br />Well, there are. Actually, there are <i>many</i> more. But more about that later.<br /><br />More than a few of you bloggy bloggersons have expressed reservations about showing up at this little shindig. Some of you are shy. Some feel nervous about sitting across the table from the likes of&nbsp;<a href=\"http://artofmanliness.com/\">Brett and Kate McKay of The Art of Manliness</a> or <a href=\"http://tulsaproject.com/\">Michael Champlin of Tulsa Project</a> or <a href=\"http://joemommas.com/\">Blake Ewing, the devious mind behind Joe Momma\'s</a> and, soon, more (and <a href=\"http://blakeewing.com/\">yes, he blogs</a>).<br /><br />Maybe a few games and prizes will act like an ultimate margarita - you know, the kind with the 2-cent garter around the glass, with extra salt on the rim - and loosen up those of you on the fence about joining us.<br /><br /><br /><b>Prizes, Baby. Prizes.</b><br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3834219306/\" title=\"T-Rex Pie at Joe Momma\'s Pizza Downtown by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"T-Rex Pie at Joe Momma\'s Pizza Downtown\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3475/3834219306_d73a84491d.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />One prize will be a little somethin\'-somethin\' from <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/12/tdt-holiday-gift-guide-original-man.html\">The Gadget Company</a>. Only the manliest of men (and women - hey, we have manly skills, too) will be eligible for this prize. We may or may not measure this manliness with a mini thumb-wrestling tourney. Come warmed up and ready to play.<br /><br />Another prize will be a gift certificate to <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/ShoeGypsyTulsaFans\">Shoe Gypsy</a>. This prize will go to the individual demonstrating the most need for such a prize (read: the ugliest shoes in the house). &nbsp;If anyone comes in the shoes that I wear every day and wins, I will cry. And that\'s okay, but only because it will make for a good blog post.<br /><br />Last but not least will be the prize of free food from <a href=\"http://joemommas.com/\">Joe Momma\'s</a>, home of my love, the object of my desire, the bacon cheeseburger pizza. In pickles and mustard on my pizza I trust.<br /><br />I can\'t tell you about the contest in which you\'ll have to participate for a chance to win some free Momma yums, though. It\'s a secret. If you want to know about this contest, you\'re just going to have to come to the meetup.<br /><br />I can tell you, though, to have your camera phones (or, if you\'re ghetto like me, your point-and-shoot, laptop and cable) hot and ready.<br /><br />If you\'re a Tulsa-area business and you\'d like to throw another prize on top of the pile, <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">e-mail me</a>.<br /><br />If you\'re a Tulsa blogger, <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">you can still e-mail me</a>. I love e-mail. Especially e-mail from bloggers who meet me downtown on a chilly Thursday night to eat pizza, drink beer and thumb wrestle.<br /><br />See you there.','Tulsa Blogger Meetup: Let\'s Sweeten This Deal.','','publish','open','open','','tulsa-blogger-meetup-lets-sweeten-this','','','2010-02-02 03:18:00','2010-02-02 03:18:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=448',0,'post','',12),(450,1,'2010-02-04 20:00:00','2010-02-04 20:00:00','<strong>PSST: <a href=\"http://dowhat.thislandpress.com/event_tags/valentines-day/\" target=\"_blank\">Looking for 2012 Valentine\'s Day things to do in Tulsa, Oklahoma?</strong> Snuggle up to the full list at DO WHAT? at This Land Press</a>. Your love life will thank you.\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4331002310/\" title=\"V-Day Eats by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"V-Day Eats\" height=\"397\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4331002310_75a9b6d56e_o.jpg\" width=\"503\" /></a></div><br /><a href=\"http://tulsafoodblog.com/\">Brian and Shae over at Tulsa Food Blog</a> and <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/\">we here at&nbsp;Tasha Does Tulsa</a> have collaborated to bring you a list of the best of the best Tulsa restaurants to call for a reservation for Valentine\'s Day weekend, complete with reviews, recommendations on what to order and, of course, the contact information you need to make your reservations. <br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>Since Valentine\'s Day is on a Sunday this year, Tulsans will have to hit some of these restaurants a day or two early. Be sure to check hours and to make reservations to be sure you don\'t end up all dressed up with no where to eat.<br /><br />Here\'s to your own Lady in the Tramp spaghetti-eating scene-in-the-making. <br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Stonehorse Cafe</b></span><br /><b>V-Day Hours</b>: Saturday, 11am-11pm<br /><b>Where</b>: 1748 Utica Square<br /><b>Phone</b>: (918) 712-7470 <br /><b>Pricing</b> (out of five $, with five being priciest): $$$ <br /><b>What to Order</b>: The Bleu Salad; Pizza Margherita; Anything made with Stonehorse\'s housemade sausage; Bread pudding (order it with dinner, though, because it\'s made to-order, individually)<br /><b>TFB</b>: Wonderful wine list and all their food is made from scratch: from sauces, pastas to ice cream. The meat is always of utmost quality and seafood is very fresh. Located in Utica Square, so perfect for a nice walk before or after dinner.<br /><b>TDT</b>: It\'s easy to get cozy at Stonehorse. It\'s even easier to get an unforgettable dinner at this Utica Square cafe - everything, and I mean <i>everything</i>, on the menu is outstanding. <br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><a href=\"http://www.thebrasserietulsa.com/\"><b>The Brasserie</b></a></span><br /><b>V-Day hours</b>: 1-am-9pm; open for brunch<br /><b>Where</b>: 3509 S. Peoria Avenue<br /><b>Phone</b>: (918) 779-7070 <br /><b>Pricing</b>: $$$<br /><b>What to Order</b>: Alsatian tarte flambe; steak tartare; brioche French toast; steak frites<br /><b>TFB</b>: Very classy French restaurant. The food is prepared with great attention to detail and atmosphere is superb. Very top-notch wine list.<br /><b>TDT</b>: The French know love, sure, but perhaps even better, to know food. Get French-inspired cuisine by one of Tulsa\'s top (and hottest) chefs in a chic, old-world atmosphere.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><a href=\"http://www.intherawsushi.com/\"><b>In the Raw</b></a></span><br /><b>V-Day Hours</b>: 5pm-12am Saturday; Open at 5pm Sunday<br /><b>Where</b>: 3321 S. Peoria Avenue on Brookside; 6151 S. Sheridan on the Hill<br /><b>Phone</b>: Brookside, (918) 744-1300; On the Hill, (918) 524-0063 <br /><b>Pricing</b>: $$$<br /><b>What to Order</b>: Volcano Roll, Spider Roll, Macadamia nut halibut<br /><b>TFB</b>: Oklahoma company that offers an amazing sushi experience. Great sushi but a little pricey. South location is located on a hill with a great view.<br /><b>TDT</b>: There\'s a reason this swanky sushi joint is always packed. It\'s got the food and the atmosphere to make your V-Day something to remember.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><a href=\"http://palacetulsa.com/\"><b>Palace Cafe</b></a></span><br /><b>V-Day Hours</b>: 5-10pm Saturday; Sunday brunch, 9am-2pm<br /><b>Where</b>: 1301 E. 15th Street<br /><b>Phone</b>: (918) 582-4321 <br /><b>Pricing</b>: $$$<br /><b>What to Order</b>: Smoke Grill Salmon, Gourmet Lobster Corndogs, anything off the bento menus<br /><b>TFB</b>: Very private booth seating, perfect low lighting. Everything from gourmet lobster corndogs to daily catches and steaks. The chef here has a good outlook on food and is opposed to processed food.<br /><b>TDT</b>: Palace Cafe offers the most romantic dining atmosphere in Tulsa, hands down. The food, as scores of natives know, is some of the best in the region.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><a href=\"http://www.carameldessert.com/\"><b>Caramel Dessert Bar</b></a></span><br /><b>V-Day Hours</b>: 10am-9pm<br /><b>Where</b>: 3410 S. Peoria Avenue<br /><b>Phone</b>: (918) 938-7977 <br /><b>Pricing</b>: $$<br /><b>What to Order</b>: Shareable Caramel Cheesecake; Chocolate chip cookies or Dessert for Two, which includes a plate full of different desserts, gelatos, fruit and chocolate.<br /><b>TFB</b>: The chocolate chip cookies are to die for! This is the perfect place to come after you have a nice dinner and want something sweet. Dinner on Brookside? Make it a 2-step date night. Dinner...then Caramel!<br /><b>TDT</b>: Chef Doreen Durano and her wide selection of sweets brings a warm glow to Brookside\'s Center 1. Have a dazzling dessert for V-Day (the chocolate mousse cups are especially glitzy), but be sure to snag a few chocolate chip cookies for the road.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><a href=\"http://www.luckysrestauranttulsa.com/\"><b>Lucky\'s</b></a></span><br /><b>V-Day Hours</b>: Saturday, 5-11pm; Sunday, 11am-3pm<br /><b>Where</b>: 1536 E. 15th Street<br /><b>Phone</b>: (918) 592-5825 <br /><b>Pricing</b>: $$$<br /><b>What to Order</b>: Grilled Flatbread, Asian-Style Porkchop, Bacon-Wrapped Halibut, Lucky\'s Cheeseburger<br /><b>TFB</b>:One of our favorite restaurants in Tulsa, run by a husband/wife team of culinary geniuses. These two have brough an unmatched sense of style and beautiful, quality food that has kept us coming back time and time again.<br /><b>TDT</b>: Find the most innovative fine dining menu at Lucky\'s on Cherry Street. Be sure to have a glass of the many biodynamic wines available at the bar with dinner.<br /><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><a href=\"http://www.sonomatulsa.com/\">Sonoma Bistro &amp; Wine Bar</a></span></b><br /><b>V-Day hours</b>: Saturday, 11am-11pm; Sunday, 11am-9pm<br /><b>Where</b>: 3523 S. Peoria Avenue<br /><b>Phone</b>: (918) 747-9463 <br /><b>Pricing</b>: $$$<br /><b>What to Order</b>: BBQ Salmon Tamale, White Pizza, Tomato Bisque Soup<br /><b>TFB</b>: This is an awesome place to go for a light dinner and drinks. It is a very pleasant atmosphere with one of the best wine lists in Tulsa. The chef pays so much attention to detail and the food is phenomenal.<br /><b>TDT</b>: The wine list at Sonoma was built to be the best - and one of the largest - in town. Plus, the food could stand up to what\'s available in the real Sonoma County any day.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Tucci\'s</b></span><br /><b>V-Day Hours</b>: Opens at 5pm<br /><b>Where</b>: 1433 E. 15th Street<br /><b>Phone</b>: (918) 582-3456 <br /><b>Pricing</b>: $$$<br /><b>What to Order</b>: Chicken Florentine Pizza, Pasta l\'Arabiata<br /><b>TFB</b>: This is one of Tulsa\'s hidden treasures. The food is so fresh, and the pizza is to die for! I couldn\'t believe how fresh the ingredients on the pizza were. Great place for a lunch date and dinner reservation.<br /><b>TDT</b>: Talk about a moody atmosphere. If you chose Tucci\'s as your destination for V-Day Dinner 2010, you can bet that some serious romance will ensue.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><a href=\"http://www.tiamotulsa.com/\"><b>Ti Amo</b></a></span><br /><b>V-Day hours</b>: Saturday, 5-10pm; Sunday, 11am-9pm<br /><b>Where</b>: 219 S. Cheyenne Avenue downtown; 6024 S. Sheridan Avenue in south Tulsa<br /><b>Phone</b>: Downtown, (918) 592-5151; south Tulsa, (918) 499-1919<br /><b>Pricing</b>: $$<br /><b>What to Order</b>: Ravioli Fritti, Penne Toscana, Chicken Marsala<br /><b>TFB</b>: Wonder atmosphere...and very romantic. The live music really sets the tone for the evening. The food is standard Italian and is located in a beautiful location in downtown and also south Tulsa. We recommend the downtown location.<br /><b>TDT</b>: There\'s a reason I went to Ti Amo for dinner before my high school prom, and while the food is fabulous, the atmosphere is the epitome of le romance - especially at the cozy, underground downtown location. <br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><a href=\"http://www.bodean.net/\"><b>Bodean Seafood Restaurant</b></a></span><br /><b>V-Day hours</b>: 5-10pm<br /><b>Where</b>: 3376 E. 51st Street<br /><b>Phone</b>: (918) 749-1407<br /><b>Pricing</b>: $$$$$<br /><b>What to Order</b>: Sesame-Crusted Gulf Yellowfin Tuna, Pecanwood-Grilled Costa Rican Mahi Mahi. If cooking at home, the Maine lobsters are so fresh and make a perfect meal...any of the seafood at Bodean\'s Market is top-notch. <br /><b>TFB</b>: Two times a day seafood is flown in from the coast. This is the most upscale restaurant in Tulsa. Beautiful atmosphere. This is a great place for a very special occasion and is sure to impress the one you love!! Voted by TIME magazine as one of the top restaurants in the nation.<br /><b>TDT</b>: THE freshest seafood in town, available as it\'s flown in twice daily to family-owned Bodean\'s. If you\'d rather dine at home, check out Bodean\'s fish market, facing 51st Street.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><a href=\"http://www.garlicrose-tulsa.com/\"><b>Garlic Rose</b></a></span><br /><b>V-Day hours</b>: Saturday, 11am-2:30pm and 5-10pm; Sunday, open at 5pm<br /><b>Where</b>: 3509 S. Peoria Avenue on Brookside; 9904 Riverside Parkway on the River<br /><b>Phone</b>: Brookside, (918) 392-5550; Riverside, (918) 746-4900<br /><b>Pricing</b>: $$$<br /><b>What to Order</b>: Baked Brie, Complementary bread with roasted garlic, Canneloni<br /><b>TFB</b>: The food is superb and has a fantastic presentation. Make sure to park around back and walk through the courtyard. Going to this restaurant gave me an out-of-Tulsa, out-of-country experience. We like to call ahead and ask for a spot by the fireplace. We recommend the Brookside location; however, the Riverside location is very nice and if not too cold, a walk around the river\'s edge is quite romantic. There is actually a bench swing for two by the river.<br /><b>TDT</b>: Garlic Rose isn\'t a Tulsa tradition by accident. No one can go wrong by choosing Garlic Rose for their dining destination this Valentine\'s Day.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><a href=\"http://www.dinemcgills.com/\"><b>McGill\'s</b></a></span><br /><b>V-Day Hours</b>: Midtown, 4:30-10pm; south Tulsa, 4-9pm, McGill\'s on 19, Friday and Saturday, 5-11pm <br /><b>Where</b>: 1560 S. 21st Street in Midtown; 6058 S. Yale Avenue in south Tulsa; at Hard Rock Casino &amp; Hotel in Catoosa<br /><b>Phone</b>: Midtown, (918) 742-8080; south Tulsa, (918) 388-8080; McGill\'s on 19 (Hard Rock), (918) 384-7500<br /><b>Pricing</b>: $$$$ <br /><b>What to Order</b>: Pasta Lobster, Coconut Beer Shrimp, Crab Cakes and, of course, the Filet<br /><b>TFB</b>: Very traditional, reminds me of a clubhouse that you would find at a country club. The wait staff is very attentive and professional, taking care of every need. Intimate setting with a warm, inviting feel. Great place to get a steak.<br /><b>TDT</b>: McGill\'s is the plate to be for those of you who equate V-Day with a glorious steak dinner. If you\'re feeling really fancy, check out McGill\'s on 19 at Hard Rock Casino in Catoosa.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><a href=\"http://www.keorestaurant.com/\"><b>KEO</b></a></span><br /><b>V-Day Hours</b>: Friday and Saturday, 11am-11pm<br /><b>Where</b>: 3524 S. Peoria Avenue<br /><b>Phone</b>: (918) 794-8200<br /><b>Pricing</b>: $$<br /><b>W</b><b>hat to Order</b>: Spring Rolls, KEO Sampler, Thai Green Curry, Pad Thai, Banana Won-Ton with Vanilla Bean Gelato, Anything from the sake menu<br /><b>TFB</b>: Very modern, sophisticated restaurant with a very classy, open feel. the two of the main walls are glass, so you are able to people-watch from inside the restaurant. The owners are fabulous. Chef Zahidah Hyman grew up in Asia and brought back many of her family\'s recipes to Tulsa. She and her husband Bill Hyman make a great team. The food is very unique and full of flavor...great place for cocktails or a nice date.<br /><b>TDT</b>: KEO is home to some of the most artful and innovative dishes in Tulsa, not to mention the most attention to authentic Asian culinary traditions. If a swanky atmosphere is a must this V-Day, KEO is your spot.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><a href=\"http://www.shoguntulsa.com/home\"><b>Shogun Japanese Steakhouse</b></a></span><br /><b>V-Day Hours</b>: Friday and Saturday, 5-10pm; Sunday, 5-9pm<br /><b>Where</b>: 6808 S. Memorial Drive, No. 224<br /><b>Phone</b>: (918) 254-2134<br /><b>Pricing</b>: $$$<br /><b>What to Order</b>: Hibachi Sesame Chicken, Shogun Special<br /><b>TFB</b>: At Shogun, it\'s all about the entertainment. Chefs cook the food on a hibachi grill right in front of you and your party. All chefs have gone through extensive training in order to make this a fun evening for you...the food is awesome...a lot of food! Grab a drink at the bar while waiting for your reservation.<br /><b>TDT</b>: Some couples like food served to them. Others prefer their food tossed at them, and only after it\'s been sliced, diced and cooked right in front of them. For those among the latter, there\'s Shogun this Valentine\'s Day.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><a href=\"http://www.thechalkboard-tulsa.com/index.cfm?id=1\"><b>The Chalkboard</b></a></span><br /><b>V-Day Hours</b>: Dinner on Saturday, 5-10:30pm and Sunday, 5-9pm; Brunch on Saturday and Sunday, 11am-2:30pm<br /><b>Where</b>: 1324 S. Main Street<br /><b>Phone</b>: (918) 582-1964<br /><b>Pricing</b>: $$$<br /><b>What to Order</b>: Eggs Benedict, Mimosas, Atlantic Salmon, Chicken Kiev, Stuffed French Toast<br /><b>TFB</b>: This place as some of the best brunch in Tulsa. It is located in the beautiful Ambassador Downtown. The European style goes right along with the food and creates a wonder place to spend the evening.<br /><b>TDT</b>: The Chalkboard is a bonafide Tulsa tradition, especially when it comes to brunch. The lunch is good and dinner is great, but brunch is legendary. It tastes even better after a night\'s stay in the Hotel Ambassador, which houses this celebrated cafe.','Where to Eat in Tulsa for Valentine\'s Day 2010','','publish','open','open','','where-to-eat-in-tulsa-for-valentines','','','2012-02-08 14:21:10','2012-02-08 20:21:10','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=450',0,'post','',7),(452,1,'2010-02-07 06:15:00','2010-02-07 06:15:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4336185963/\" title=\"Lounger by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Lounger\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4336185963_5320d3511c.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />I haven\'t been completely forthcoming with you, my dear readers. You see, when my son and I went to the dentist a few weeks ago, we got some news that, at the time, I elected not to share with you. It\'s shocking information, yes, and while I didn\'t think at the time that I should break the news (I did, after all, have to inform friends and family first), I think the time has come for me to come clean. To be honest. To bear the naked truth. <br /><br /><a href=\"http://www.ttownmoms.com/?page=blogs/view&amp;BLID=7446\">Get all the horrid, life-changing details from my blog at Ttownmoms.com</a>.','Parting Ways with Paci','','publish','open','open','','parting-ways-with-paci','','','2010-02-07 06:15:00','2010-02-07 06:15:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=452',0,'post','',3),(453,1,'2010-02-08 04:00:00','2010-02-08 09:00:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4270094804/\" title=\"Skate Date 2009 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Skate Date 2009\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4270094804_6daedda923.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Here it is, folks - the list of love you\'ve been longing for. Here\'s what to do in Tulsa for Valentine\'s Day, Valentine\'s Day weekend and beyond.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Early Week</span><br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4339910460/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day Cookies at Coffeehouse on Cherry Street by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day Cookies at Coffeehouse on Cherry Street\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2740/4339910460_8e2a7b277e.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br /><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #6aa84f;\">Tower Tots: Valentine\'s Tea Party (Green headings = Family friendly)</span></b><br />When: Tuesday, 10am<br />Where: <a href=\"http://pricetower.org/\">Price Tower Arts Center in Bartlesville</a><br />Catch a morning story and activity hour for kids aged 3-6. Call ahead to register for this free event.<br /><br /><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #6aa84f;\">Valentine Craft</span></b><br />When: Thursday, 5pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://tulsaparks.org/\">Hicks Park</a>, 3443 S. Mingo Road<br />Bring a friend and make a crafty valentine for that special someone. Be sure to pre-register by calling (918) 669-6355. Ages 8-13. Cost is $10.<br /><br /><br /><b>Friday</b><br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4339217089/\" title=\"V-Day by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"V-Day\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4339217089_d1b2ba30b2.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br /><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #6aa84f;\">Sweetheart T-Party</span></b><br />When: Friday, 10am<br />Where: <a href=\"http://tulsaparks.org/\">Whiteside Community Center</a>, 4009 S. Pittsburg Avenue<br />Celebrate V-Day with crafts, snacks and a general, overall, darned good time. For ages 2-5. Cost is $6.<br /><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: normal;\"><br /></span></b><br /><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #6aa84f;\">Crayons! Improv</span></b><br />When: Friday, 7:30pm<br />Where: Agora Coffeehouse, 4959 S. 79th E. Ave.<br />Don\'t miss the special Crayons! Valentine\'s Day show. Hilton Price, a renowned Tulsa stand-up comedian, will be on hand first thing. Tickets are $10 at the door.<br /><br /><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: red;\">I Love You Because (Red headings = Adult Couples Only)</span></b><br />When: Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 2pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://tulsapac.com/\">Tulsa PAC</a>, 110 E. Second Street<br />Like Jane Austen\'s Pride and Prejudice, only less wordy. A foursome of 20-somethings are in search of love in the hustle and bustle of New York City. Warning: This one\'s not for the kids. Tickets are $25.<br /><br /><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #6aa84f;\">The Sleeping Beauty</span></b></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">When: Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 3pm</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Where: <a href=\"http://tulsapac.com/\">Tulsa PAC</a>, 110 E. Second Street</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Though I watched the Disney movie version of this classic fairy tale about 167,821 times as a child, something tells me the Tulsa Ballet rendition of one of the most technically challenging classical ballets is going to blow it out of the water. Marcello Angelini uses grand staging and gets and beautifully crafted costumes to breathe new life into the original, 1890 version of the ballet by Marius Petipa. The Tchaikovsky score is, I\'m sure, not bad, either. Tickets are $20-70. Plus, if you think the time is right, <a href=\"http://tulsaballet.com/news.asp?id=10&amp;pid=93&amp;task=display\">you can propose on stage with the cast of The Sleeping Beauty</a>. *swoon* Be still, my beating heart.</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><br /></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #6aa84f;\">Love Letters</span></b></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">When: Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2pm</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Where: Green Country Event Center, 12000 E. 31st Street</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><a href=\"http://tacta.net/\">\'Round the Bend Players, Tulsa\'s first senior theater troupe</a>, will present a staged reading of A.R. Gurney\'s Love Ltters. Tickets are $8.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><br /></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><b><br /></b></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><b>Saturday</b></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><b><br /></b></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">PHOTO</div><br /><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #6aa84f;\">Sweetheart Run</span></span><br />When: Saturday, 8:15am (5K), 9:15am (10K)<br />Where: Mohawk Park, on 36th Street North<br />So in love that you could run a 10K? Maybe you\'ve been dating awhile and you\'ve learned she doesn\'t put the cap back on her toothpaste - okay, so you\'re at least excited enough to run a 5K. <a href=\"http://fleetfeettulsa.com/\">Register for this lovers\' race at Fleet Feet at 61st and Yale</a>. The cost starts at $20.<br /><br /><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #6aa84f;\">Free Family Day @ Philbrook</span></span><br /><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">When: 10:30am-4pm</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Where:&nbsp;<a href=\"http://philbrook.org/\">Philbrook Museum</a>, 2727 S. Rockford Ave.</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">After a Valentine\'s Day weekend breakfast, take your significant other - and hey, why not bring the family, too? - to Philbrook Museum for Free Family Day. Enjoy art, spend time together, get your hands dirty with some hands-on art projects, tour the museum and even embark on a scavenger hunt. Go for romantic or go for family-friendly - either way, it\'s at Philbrook this Saturday.&nbsp;</div><br /><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #6aa84f;\">Down with Love! Anti-Valentine Fest</span></span><br />When: Saturday, 2pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://tulsalibrary.org/zarrow\">Zarrow Regional Library</a>, 2224 W. 51st Street<br />Forget V-Day and make anti-valentines, design a zombie teddy bear and/or a voodoo doll of your ex. Enjoy the chocolate fountain and proudly proclaim that love stinks. Ages 12-18.<br /><br /><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: red;\">Couples Massage Class</span></b><br />When: 2-4pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://thecanebrake.com/\">The Canebrake in the Yoga Barn</a>, 33241 E. 732nd Road<br />Bring your special someone and learn basic massage techniques for relaxation and stress relief. Cost is $90 per couple - truly a deal for two people for two hours. Call (918) 485-1810 to sign up.<br /><br /><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: red;\">Wine Tasting</span></b><br />When: 5-6:30pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://thecanebrake.com/\">The Canebrake</a>,&nbsp;33241 E. 732nd Road<br />Get three Italian wines - a red, a full-bodied ruby port and a sparkling prosecco - for $20, plus hors d\'oeuvres like roasted vegetable bruschetta, wild boar sausage with fennel tomato sauce, prosciutto with roasted pear and cheese board with figs and pomegranates.&nbsp;Call (918) 485-1810 for reservations.<br /><br /><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #6aa84f;\">Daddy Daughter Dance</span></b><br />When: 5:30pm; 7:30pm<br />Where: Main Place, 1800 S. Main Street in Broken Arrow<br />Little girls grow up fast, dads. Don\'t miss this chance to dance with her while she can still stand on your shoes. Look for music from DJ Connection, refreshments, a photographer to take photos of dads and their special little ladies and, of course, dancing. For dads and girls aged 4-14. Dress is formal or casual, whatever you decide. Cost is $5; tickets must be purchased in advance. Call (918) 259-6550. <br /><br /><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: red;\">I Love You, My Darling, Now Die!</span></b><br />When: 6:30pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://whisperingvines.net/\">Whispering Vines Winery</a>, 7475 W. 51st Street in Tulsa<br />Dr. Bill McGrew is a foremost authority on love. He\'ll take your question on the mysteries of love and romance, sure, but could it be possible that someone has murder on his mind? A three-course meal catered by Amici\'s (you know, that new Italian restaurant in Sand Springs everyone is raving about) are only part of the deal. Make your reservations now, right now - this show sells out every year. Tickets are $64.95 per person. Dress code is After 5.<br /><br /><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: red;\">Wild Hearts Ball</span></b><br />When: Saturday, 7pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://okeq.org/\">Dennis R. Neill Equality Center</a>, 621 E. Fourth Street<br />Looking for a wild-yet-free party this Valentine\'s Day weekend? Join Oklahomans for Equality at the annual Wild Hearts Ball. Groove to tunes laid down by DJ Zeke, belly up to the cash bar and get your picture taken with cupid.<br /><br /><div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: red;\">Brenda Johnson &amp; The Jazz Rhapsody Trio</span></b></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">When: 7pm</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Where: <a href=\"http://okjazz.org/\">Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame</a>, 111 E. First Street</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">With special guest Tavis Miner. Don\'t miss out on the cash bar, desserts, champagne and, yes, even roses. Cost is $20 in advance, or $25 at the door.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: red;\">I Love You Because</span></span><br /><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">When: Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 2pm</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Where: <a href=\"http://tulsapac.com/\">Tulsa PAC</a>, 110 E. Second Street</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Like Jane Austen\'s Pride and Prejudice, only less wordy. A foursome of 20-somethings are in search of love in the hustle and bustle of New York City. Warning: This one\'s not for the kids. Tickets are $25.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><br /></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #6aa84f;\">The Sleeping Beauty</span></b></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">When: Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 3pm</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Where: <a href=\"http://tulsapac.com/\">Tulsa PAC</a>, 110 E. Second Street</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Though I watched the Disney movie version of this classic fairy tale about 167,821 times as a child, something tells me the Tulsa Ballet rendition of one of the most technically challenging classical ballets is going to blow it out of the water. Marcello Angelini uses grand staging and gets and beautifully crafted costumes to breathe new life into the original, 1890 version of the ballet by Marius Petipa. The Tchaikovsky score is, I\'m sure, not bad, either. Tickets are $20-70.&nbsp;Plus, if you think the time is right,&nbsp;<a href=\"http://tulsaballet.com/news.asp?id=10&amp;pid=93&amp;task=display\">you can propose on stage with the cast of The Sleeping Beauty</a>. *swoon* Be still, my beating heart.</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><br /></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #6aa84f;\">Love Letters</span></b></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">When: Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2pm</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Where: Green Country Event Center, 12000 E. 31st Street</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><a href=\"http://tacta.net/\">\'Round the Bend Players, Tulsa\'s first senior theater troupe</a>, will present a staged reading of A.R. Gurney\'s Love Letters. Tickets are $8.<br /><br /><br /><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: red;\">Love and Lust</span></b></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">When: 8pm</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Where: <a href=\"http://livingarts.org/\">Living ArtSpace</a>, 307 E. Brady</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Is it the lust for love or the way we love to lust that drives us? Wait - what? Either way, head to Living ArtSpace to explore this theme with an eclectic mix of poets from Tulsa and Wichita. It\'s sure to be a night of singing, dancing and smoking-hot poetry. Cost is $7, or $5 for members.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><br /></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: red;\">Pre-Valentine\'s Day Rocky Horror Night</span></b></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">When: 9pm</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Where: <a href=\"http://cosmo-cafe.com/\">Cosmo Cafe</a>, 3334 S. Peoria Ave.</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Don your underwear, tuxedo, gold sequined jacket, biker gear (and/)or garters - or, just come as you are - and head to Brookside for this decidedly off-beat V-Day celebration. The movie will be showing on the big screen at Cosmo but, please, leave the airborne props at home. Otherwise, let \'er ride and have a great time.</div></div><div><br /></div><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: normal;\"><br /></span></b><br /><b>Sunday</b><br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4270094306/\" title=\"Skate Date 2009 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Skate Date 2009\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/4270094306_7255e28c84.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #6aa84f;\">Skate Date</span></b><br />When: Sunday, 10am-10pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://bokcenter.com/\">BOK Center</a>, 200 N. Denver Ave.<br /><a href=\"http://bokcenter.com/general.asp?id=173\">Don\'t miss one of my personal favorite Tulsa events</a>. Ice skate hand-in-hand on the BOK Center\'s 17,000-square-foot indoor ice rink, snack on heart-shaped concessions to your hearts\' content, watch skating demonstrations and maybe even win a prize or two. There\'s even face painting for the kids. Admission to the building is free and skate rental is $10 for adults and $5 for kids under age three and for those who bring their own skates. When you\'ve skated until you can skate no more, hop a horse-drawn carriage ride through the streets of downtown Tulsa. A couple rides for $20 and a family of four rides for $25.<br /><br /><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #6aa84f;\">V-Day Cookie Decorating Session @ Sage</span></b><br />When: Sunday, noon-6pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://sageculinarystudio.com/\">Sage Culinary Studio</a>, 3746 S. Peoria Ave.<br />Call today to sign up the kids to make seven V-Day-themed cookies - that\'s one to eat, six to take home or to gift to their special someone (read: Mommy, please). The greatest part about this Valentine\'s Day activity is that parents don\'t have to worry about clean-up. It\'s all taken care of by the staff at Sage\'s beautiful Brookside cooking studio for kids. Register before Feb. 10 and page $15; cost is $20 after Feb. 10 until the big day itself. <br /><br /><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: red;\">I Love You Because</span></span><br /><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">When: Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 2pm</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Where: <a href=\"http://tulsapac.com/\">Tulsa PAC</a>, 110 E. Second Street</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Like Jane Austen\'s Pride and Prejudice, only less wordy. A foursome of 20-somethings are in search of love in the hustle and bustle of New York City. Warning: This one\'s not for the kids. Tickets are $25.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><br /></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #6aa84f;\">The Sleeping Beauty</span></b></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">When: Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 3pm</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Where: <a href=\"http://tulsapac.com/\">Tulsa PAC</a>, 110 E. Second Street</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Though I watched the Disney movie version of this classic fairy tale about 167,821 times as a child, something tells me the Tulsa Ballet rendition of one of the most technically challenging classical ballets is going to blow it out of the water. Marcello Angelini uses grand staging and gets and beautifully crafted costumes to breathe new life into the original, 1890 version of the ballet by Marius Petipa. The Tchaikovsky score is, I\'m sure, not bad, either. Tickets are $20-70.&nbsp;Plus, if you think the time is right,&nbsp;<a href=\"http://tulsaballet.com/news.asp?id=10&amp;pid=93&amp;task=display\">you can propose on stage with the cast of The Sleeping Beauty</a>. *swoon* Be still, my beating heart.</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><br /></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: red;\">The Jeff Shadley Band</span></b></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">When: 5pm</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Where: <a href=\"http://okjazz.org/\">Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame</a>, 111 E. First Street</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Featuring Olivia Duhon. Admission prices start at $15.&nbsp;</div><br /><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #6aa84f;\">V-Day Drop-Off at Bounce U</span></span><br />When: 5-9pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://bounceu.com/\">Bounce U Tulsa</a>, 8922 S. Memorial Drive,<br />What set of parents couldn\'t use a little alone time this V-Day? Bring \'em by Bounce U and have \'em nice and worn out by 9pm. Cost is $20 per child, or $15 for siblings.<br /><br /><br /><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: red;\">Valentine\'s Day Cabaret</span></b></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">When: 6pm</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Where:&nbsp;<a href=\"http://lightoperaok.org/\">Harwelden Mansion</a>, 2210 S. Main Street</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">It\'s time for Light Opera Oklahoma\'s annual Valentine\'s Cabaret, a night of delicious food, wine and, of course, cabaret. Enjoy LOOK regular Andrea Leap, with Eric Gibson at the piano. Cost is $75 per person ($55 for the concert only), or $150 per couple.&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:frontoffice@lightoperaok.org\">E-mail LOOK</a>&nbsp;or call (918) 583-4267 to reserve your spot.&nbsp;</div><br /><br /><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: red;\">Valentine\'s Dance with the Round-Up Boys</span></span><br /><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">When: Doors at 6pm, Show at 7pm</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Where: <a href=\"http://cainsballroom.com/\">Cain\'s Ballroom</a>, 423 N. Main Street</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Scoot your boots this Valentine\'s Day to the sounds of the purveyors of western swing. Tickets are $8.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><br /></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: red;\">David Phelps Valentine\'s Concert</span></b></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">When: 7pm</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Where:&nbsp;<a href=\"http://thepacba.com/\">Broken Arrow PAC</a>, 701 S. Main Street in Broken Arrow</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">He\'s been called \"The Voice.\" He\'s wowed audiences around the globe. He has performed for presidents and dignitaries. I\'m talking about David Phelps, and he\'ll be in Broken Arrow this V-Day to help you romance the night away. Tickets start at $25.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><br /></div></div></div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: red;\">Chippendales</span></span><br /><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">When: 7pm</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Where: <a href=\"http://milliondollarelm.com/\">Osage Event Center</a>, 951 W. 36th Street North</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Hubba hubba - the Chippendales are in Tulsa, and they\'re bringing the perfect solution to any Valentine\'s Day romance rut with them. Tickets are $20.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><br /></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\"><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: red;\">An Evening with Kris Kristofferson</span></b></div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">When: 7:30pm</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Where: <a href=\"http://mabeecenter.com/\">Mabee Center</a>, 7777 S. Lewis Ave.</div><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;\">Widely regarded as the greatest country songwriter since Hank Williams, Kristofferson\'s catalogue has been covered by over 500 artists, including Waylon Jennings, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton. He\'ll be right here in Tulsa on V-Day to serenade you all the way to Monday morning. Tickets start at $25.<br /><br />What are YOU doing to celebrate Valentine\'s Day (or not) in Tulsa this year?</div></div></div>','Tulsa Valentine’s Day Round-Up','','private','open','open','','valentines-day-round-up-2','','','2011-02-05 19:03:19','2011-02-06 00:03:19','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=453',0,'post','',2),(454,1,'2010-02-09 14:33:00','2010-02-09 14:33:00','After the <a href=\"http://Ttownmoms.com/\">Ttownmoms.com</a>&nbsp;segment on <a href=\"http://kjrh.com/\">Channel 2</a> yesterday and after I headed back out into the snow that was falling yesterday morning, I was on the prowl for lunch.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>Sometimes I forget myself and point my car to a drive-thru. That\'s what happened yesterday - twice, actually. When I\'m hungry (and other times, too), I\'m not the brightest crayon in the box.<br /><br />I needed a quick lunch. I didn\'t have time to stop, eat and chat with a person who I\'d inevitably know dining there (those of you who make a habit of patronizing local restaurants know what I mean). But, I wanted to put my dollars - I only had two in cash, by the way, so that was another constraint on my midday meal - in the pocket of someone as local as possible. <br /><br />Then, I had an idea. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4343657786/\" title=\"Oh, Taquito by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Oh, Taquito\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4343657786_3e666d767b.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Oh, taquito. The one pictured is the beef and cheese taquito. It was so yum. Since I saved 40 cents by buying two - they\'re 2 for $2, or $1.19 each - I snagged the chicken taquito, too. The crispy, succulent, slightly spicy chicken taquito. Plus, QuikTrip is based in Broken Arrow, a very short drive from T-Town. That\'s local enough for me. Last but not least, I was in and out of QT faster than I could have made it through any drive-thru on Brookside at 11:45 on a Monday morning.<br /><br />It\'s no secret that I love taquitos, but I also can\'t wait until Tulsa-area farmers markets open for the 2010 season so I can stop in for a super-fresh, early lunch on just about any day of the week.<br /><br />What\'s your favorite quick, local food solution? <br /><br />P.S. - Here\'s lookin\' at you,&nbsp;<a href=\"http://irritatedtulsan.wordpress.com/\">Irritated Tulsan</a>, my favorite QT food chronicler.','Oh, Taquito','','publish','open','open','','oh-taquito','','','2010-02-09 14:33:00','2010-02-09 14:33:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=454',0,'post','',2),(455,1,'2010-02-09 15:52:00','2010-02-09 15:52:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4342987433/\" title=\"OK Jazz Hall of Fame by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"OK Jazz Hall of Fame\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4342987433_92e3c05ac5.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />I went to a concert at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame last weekend and one thing\'s for sure: I\'ll be back. Soon. Very, very soon.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>For one, <a href=\"http://www.tulsapreservationcommission.org/artdeco/buildings/index.pl?id=5\">the old Tulsa Union Depot is a beautiful venue</a>. Historic, too. I\'m sure I\'m not the only one who\'s glad that, in 2007, the Depot was rehabilitated to become the home of the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. A better union, there couldn\'t have been.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4342986457/\" title=\"OK Jazz Hall of Fame by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"OK Jazz Hall of Fame\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4342986457_483b7b291e.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4343722864/\" title=\"OK Jazz Hall of Fame by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"OK Jazz Hall of Fame\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4343722864_1f37ec2d89.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4343723848/\" title=\"OK Jazz Hall of Fame by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"OK Jazz Hall of Fame\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4343723848_4f9e89c9e5.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Go ahead. Bask in the glory that is this masculine, oh-so-Egyptian, machinery-inspired art deco.<br /><br />The Depot is, of course, a unique concert venue. The space is cozy enough to give even the rowdiest of concerts an intimate feel. But, it\'s large enough to suit a large crowd, too. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4343723302/\" title=\"OK Jazz Hall of Fame by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"OK Jazz Hall of Fame\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/4343723302_edc3ff4135.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4342988191/\" title=\"OK Jazz Hall of Fame by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"OK Jazz Hall of Fame\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4342988191_dd695eeae3.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4343724542/\" title=\"OK Jazz Hall of Fame by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"OK Jazz Hall of Fame\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2777/4343724542_87da8ed21b.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Hey, TSO? You absolutely rocked at the Tulsa Sound + British Invasion concert on Saturday night. So did Jambalaya Jass Band, Jack Brady and the Brady Orchestra, Peter Mayo, Max Wisely and, of course, the inimitable Tina Rose, daughter of Leon Russell. <br /><br />Yeah, THAT Leon Russell. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4343778674/\" title=\"Tina Rose @ OK Jazz Hall of Fame by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tina Rose @ OK Jazz Hall of Fame\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4343778674_aef864bc0a.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />I loved that I got to go to the concert with my grandmother, the one I call Meme. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4343784104/\" title=\"DSC09748 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"DSC09748\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2730/4343784104_609d3dbb00.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />She\'s about a third of my size, but she has more fight in her little size-four ring finger than I have in my entire body.<br /><br />Part of the reason why my Meme is a pillar of strength is because of a four-day train trip she once took from southern California, where she was living at the time, back through her home town of Sand Springs to the train depot in downtown Tulsa. She was with her two small children, tow-headed from daily trips to the beach - a boy my son\'s age, a girl (my mom) a couple of years older. And with her luggage. And her stockings. And her heels. <br /><br />I get tired just thinking about it. <br /><br />My great-grandfather met them at the station. Snow, which my uncle had never seen, was blowing. The winter warmth of southern California was more than 1,500 miles away. My grandfather scooped up the little boy, who had in fear given up walking in the snow, and tucked him into his coat. He loaded the huddled brood into his car and started down the old road to Sand Springs, to my great-grandparents\' house on Main. <br /><br />We may not be famous for balmy winters here in Oklahoma, but we still how to do a homecoming right. Even after they made it to my great-grandparents\' house that day, my Meme said she could hear the sound of the train on the tracks in her ears for days. <br /><br />If I\'d just traveled half-way across the country over the course of four days with two small children, I think I\'d be hearing a lot more than train tracks. Voices are more likely - voices telling me to do very, very bad things. Like to eat three pounds of chocolate in one sitting and bacon at every meal.<br /><br />My Meme remembered walking through the hall at Tulsa Union Depot, what is now the concert hall at OJHoF, to get to the lobby. The chill in the air on Saturday night was yet another reminder of that day she and her little ones stepped off that east-bound train from sunny Ventura and into the Oklahoma snow. It\'s times like when I\'m in a historic Tulsa place with a member of my family who interacted with what has become a local landmark that I feel especially lucky to have such deep roots in this community. It\'s the same reason why I don\'t look to ever leave. <br /><br />That, and with venues like the OKJHoF and the entertainment available there, why would I?<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4342988191/\" title=\"OK Jazz Hall of Fame by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"OK Jazz Hall of Fame\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4342988191_dd695eeae3.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a><br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: left;\">For sure.</div></div>','Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. And some personal history.','','publish','open','open','','oklahoma-jazz-hall-of-fame-and-some','','','2010-02-09 15:52:00','2010-02-09 15:52:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=455',0,'post','',5),(456,1,'2010-02-09 22:23:00','2010-02-09 22:23:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4344431788/\" title=\"Tulsa Bloggers Meetup by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Bloggers Meetup\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4344431788_0383e83bf1.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Hey, Tulsa bloggers. <a href=\"http://oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/2010/02/final-ballot-2009-okie-blog-awards.html\"><b>Did you know the final ballot for the 2009 Oklahoma Blog Awards has been posted</b></a><b>?</b> It\'s true.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>Go check it out right now - dozens of deserving bloggers have been nominated, including several from the Tulsa area (especially in the Best Tulsa Blog category, duh). If you\'re an Oklahoma blogger, <b>be sure to cast your last and final ballot before this Sunday, Feb. 14.&nbsp;</b><br /><br />See? Valentine\'s Day doesn\'t have to be about cheap candy and overpriced flowers. It can also be about blogger love. Which is totally legal, I assure you.<br /><br />I can\'t go any further without getting a little sappy for a minute here. I\'m overwhelmed that enough of my peers in blogging enjoy this silly morass of a Web site enough to nominate me in not just one category of the 2009 Oklahoma Blog Awards, but in three. As in one, two and...three.<br /><br />I\'m up against some seriously kick-ass blogs in each category in which TDT was nominated - <b>Best Culture Blog</b> (nominated for the third year in a row - yeah, boi), <b>Best Representation of Oklahoma</b> and <b>Best Tulsa Blog</b> - so to even be considered on par with these folks is, I feel, an award in itself.<br /><br /><a href=\"mailto:2009okieblogawards@gmail.com\">If you\'re an Oklahoma blogger and you want to vote for me in any of the three categories in which my blog was nominated</a>, I won\'t mind. In fact, you don\'t even have to ask me for permission. You can just go right on ahead and do it, and we\'ll both be happy as clams.<br /><br />Not that I know anything about clams or their happiness. I\'ve lived in a landlocked state for the past 26 years, after all. They could be really depressed, for all I know.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4344431880/\" title=\"Tulsa Bloggers Meetup by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Bloggers Meetup\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2620/4344431880_60259d6606.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Changing topics somewhat: Remember that party of Tulsa-area bloggers that went on like Donkey Kong last week? At <a href=\"http://joemommas.com/\">Joe Momma\'s downtown</a>? The one to which more than 50 people came? Yes! That one. I\'m so glad you remember.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Lots of lovely, sunshiny people showed up. As one of my Twitter/blogger buddies observed, Tulsa bloggers aren\'t a half-bad looking group. I\'d have to agree.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Look at this mom and her baby girl, for example. That mom, she\'s Mandy Vavrinak. <a href=\"http://mandyvavrinak.com/blog/\">Mandy\'s a blogger, sure, but she\'s also one of Tulsa\'s PR mavens</a>. That baby girl is...well, let\'s just say she\'s a womb-flip inducing, lovable lump of delicious baby goodness.&nbsp;</div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4344432124/\" title=\"Tulsa Bloggers Meetup by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Bloggers Meetup\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4344432124_19b79304f5.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4344432378/\" title=\"Tulsa Bloggers Meetup by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Bloggers Meetup\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4344432378_def1c47bda.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Oh, Baby V. I\'m sorry, but it\'s really best if we don\'t see each other again for awhile. It\'s not you - it\'s me. It\'s me and my baby fever, despite the fact that my husband is now a full-time student and I\'m still a full-time blogger/freelance writer/columnist/scarf knitter/mom. All six jobs really do a great job of lining the ol\' 401(k) coffer, let me just tell you. &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">That hiding in the corner is <a href=\"http://batesline.com/\">Batesline blogger Michael Bates</a>. He has some seriously gorgeous children of his own - three of them, if you can believe it.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">We bloggers, we make the pretty babies. &nbsp;</div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4344432328/\" title=\"Tulsa Bloggers Meetup by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Bloggers Meetup\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2745/4344432328_85f5f702ed.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">There\'s <a href=\"http://tulsaproject.com/\">Tulsa Project writer Michael Champlin</a> and <a href=\"http://music.tulsaproject.com/\">Colleen McCarty, who just last weekend launched her new music blog, Independent Cause</a>. Stop by and check it out. You\'ll be glad you did.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Thanks again to Michael, as well as to <a href=\"http://artofmanliness.com/\">Brett and Kate from The Art of Manliness</a>, for helping me to organize the first-in-a-long-time Tulsa Blogger Meetup. Your help was more valuable to me than a secret &nbsp;loaf of buttery cinnamon bread hidden in my closet during my \"vegan\" phase in high school.&nbsp;</div><br />Yeah. That actually happened.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4344431680/\" title=\"Tulsa Bloggers Meetup by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Bloggers Meetup\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4344431680_981bf35610.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Those of you who showed up to the event will remember that I asked you to think about what you\'d like to get out of a regularly meeting group of Tulsa-area bloggers. What sounds good to you - a monthly, casual meet-up? A formal association? A group sky dive? A group run to Canada for discount prescription drugs? You tell me. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">Feel free to send me your thoughts on this via e-mail</a>, or post them in the comments section below.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Stay tuned for news about the next Tulsa Bloggers Meetup. Yes, it\'s coming. Your wildest bloggy dreams are coming true.&nbsp;</div>','Oklahoma Blog Awards Final Ballot = UP. Plus, a Recap.','','publish','open','open','','oklahoma-blog-awards-final-ballot-up','','','2010-02-09 22:23:00','2010-02-09 22:23:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=456',0,'post','',2),(458,1,'2010-02-10 17:14:00','2010-02-10 17:14:00','<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S3LpWW9Eo3I/AAAAAAAABpY/9ig0HvHv6xw/s1600-h/DSC07458.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S3LpWW9Eo3I/AAAAAAAABpY/9ig0HvHv6xw/s640/DSC07458.jpg\" width=\"300\" /></a></div><br />I couldn\'t do anything but stare at the receptionist, my mouth agape. <br /><br />Ladies and gents, this morning was one of those mornings. At its end I was standing at the window of what I like to call my lady doctor\'s office. Through the tiny public access opening she was telling me that, one, my 9am appointment had been moved to 2pm; two, their office called me yesterday to inform me of this change; and three, my husband had called their office with a message for me that I\'d driven off with the car seat and that I was about to make him late for a huge exam at school. <br /><br />Yeah. Like I said, one of those mornings. <br /><br />Did my morning end in a fiery explosion of repressed fury? <a href=\"http://www.ttownmoms.com/?page=blogs/view&amp;BLID=7483\">Find out on my blog at Ttownmoms.com</a>.','A Morning From H-E-Double Hockey Sticks','','publish','open','open','','morning-from-h-e-double-hockey-sticks','','','2010-02-10 17:14:00','2010-02-10 17:14:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=458',0,'post','',1),(459,1,'2010-02-11 02:00:00','2010-02-11 02:00:00','I\'ve always been a fan of name changes.<br /><br />During those days when I had even more Barbies than curls (<a href=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4290895321_8a40cb7594.jpg\">yes, that\'s where he gets it</a>), I informed all the members of my family that I would thence answer only to the name Barbie. For awhile, I was&nbsp;Ariel of The Little Mermaid. Then,&nbsp;Belle of Beauty and the Beast.<br /><br />Before all of that, though, I was Sleeping Beauty.<br /><br /><object height=\"385\" width=\"480\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/hX1cHku9AMM&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/hX1cHku9AMM&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href=\"http://www.tulsaballet.org/events.asp?id=11&amp;pid=53&amp;task=display&amp;pcatid=53\">That\'s why I\'m so excited about the most recent production from Tulsa Ballet</a>. This fairy tale, the Disney version and others included, is my favorite of all them all.<br /><br />The Sleeping Beauty is going to be an especially exciting ballet for several reasons. First, it\'s known as one of the most technically challenging ballets there are. Second, it\'ll be accompanied by the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, officially <a href=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2777/4343724542_87da8ed21b.jpg\">the hippest, coolest orchestra ever</a>, playing Tchaikovski. Third, the hunky Marcello Angelini once again brings his expertise as artistic director, using grand staging and sets and lavish costumes in his characteristically fabulous way.<br /><br />Fourth, <a href=\"http://www.tulsaballet.org/news.asp?id=10&amp;pid=93&amp;task=display&amp;pcatid=\">someone\'s gonna propose right out in front of God and everybody</a>. As in, some nice young person has paid good money to climb on stage, hit one knee and ask for that special someone\'s hand in marriage. Judging by the popularity of shows like The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, I know you\'d practically kill to see a dramatic marriage proposal in the Chapman Hall of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. That\'s worth the ticket price on its own, really.<br /><br />No matter how you dice it, whether you love dance or you\'re just looking for a good, prime time-worthy show, The Sleeping Beauty promises to deliver.<br /><br />All of this is sounding pretty good, right? <a href=\"http://www.tulsapac.com/calendar.asp?id=1110&amp;thedate=2/10/2010&amp;task=display\">You\'re about to head to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Web site to buy scads of tickets, right</a>? Before you do, let\'s see if you can tell me one thing.<br /><br />Do you feel lucky?<br /><br /><b>One TDT reader is about to win two tickets to the Friday or Saturday night production of The Sleeping Beauty</b>. To be eligible, there\'s just one thing you have to do.<br /><br /><b>Head to the comments and tell me the fairy tale name you secretly desire was yours</b>. Guys, you know you wish you parents had named you He-Man or Optimus Prime. Ladies, we\'ve all wanted to be Aurora or Ariel or Jasmine. Or, maybe you invented your own fairy tale name and you only answer to it when disturbed from a very deep sleep. Now, just days before the most romantic day of the year, is the time to come clean.<br /><br /><b>This contest will run until Thursday, Feb. 11, at 4pm</b>. I\'ll announce the winner before 5pm.<br /><br />Good luck, everyone. And please, at least for Valentine\'s Day, call me Barbie.','I AM That Sleeping Beauty','','publish','open','open','','i-am-that-sleeping-beauty','','','2010-02-11 02:00:00','2010-02-11 02:00:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=459',0,'post','',37),(460,1,'2010-02-11 22:58:00','2010-02-11 22:58:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4349958652/\" title=\"Sleeping Beauty by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Sleeping Beauty\" height=\"334\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4349958652_9e247930e1.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Perhaps you\'re watching this blog, waiting with bated breath on <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/02/i-am-that-sleeping-beauty.html\">the announcement of who won the pair of tickets to a Friday or Saturday production of the latest from Tulsa Ballet, The Sleeping Beauty</a>.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Are you ready? Sure? Positive?</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay. Here we go.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">Nearly 40 of you took your chances on winning these tickets. I think that is just about the coolest thing in the world.&nbsp;</div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">Thing is, I could only accept the comments that came in under the deadline of today at 4pm. So, the number I fed to the gods at Random.org was:</div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S3SJFrcH68I/AAAAAAAABpw/wtq41J9RoSg/s1600-h/Picture+33.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"></a><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S3SJOkHcRAI/AAAAAAAABp4/RtngUFgmrjU/s1600-h/Picture+32.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S3SJOkHcRAI/AAAAAAAABp4/RtngUFgmrjU/s200/Picture+32.png\" width=\"191\" /></a></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">And it pleased the Random.org gods to spit out:&nbsp;</div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S3SJFrcH68I/AAAAAAAABpw/wtq41J9RoSg/s1600-h/Picture+33.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S3SJFrcH68I/AAAAAAAABpw/wtq41J9RoSg/s200/Picture+33.png\" width=\"174\" /></a></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">The 32nd entry came from:&nbsp;</div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S3SI9_0Se3I/AAAAAAAABpo/0FFa4UXpmhQ/s1600-h/Picture+34.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"241\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S3SI9_0Se3I/AAAAAAAABpo/0FFa4UXpmhQ/s640/Picture+34.png\" width=\"640\" /></a></div><br />Amanda from Amanda\'s Wonderland! Thanks for playing, Amanda. I love cool free stuff to fellow bloggers. And yes, you apparently do still want to be Alice in Wonderland...or something rather close to it. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">E-mail me ASAP to claim your prize</a> and to let me know if you\'d like to attend Friday or Saturday. If I don\'t hear from you by 8am tomorrow, I\'ll have no choice but to give the tickets to the next princess on the list.<br /><br />Thanks to everyone who participated in this little giveaway. I loved hearing about your princess fantasies. I would say childhood princess fantasies, but we all know that our dreams of being princesses didn\'t end when our fifth grade teachers sent the boys to a classroom down the hall, closed the shades and press play on the VCR containing that weird film from one of those mega-corporations that manufacture maxipads. They last forever. And I\'ll be happy to call you by your princess names any time you need it.<br /><br /></div>','The Princess Has Arrived','','publish','open','open','','princess-has-arrived','','','2010-02-11 22:58:00','2010-02-11 22:58:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=460',0,'post','',1),(462,1,'2010-02-12 20:25:00','2010-02-12 20:25:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351932170/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4351932170_090926c779.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Finally, I caved. <a href=\"http://twitter.com/merrittsbakery\">After drooling over the Twitter feed of Merritt\'s Bakery all week long</a>, I finally gave in and took my son to the Midtown location of <a href=\"http://merrittsbakery.com/\">Merritt\'s Bakery</a>, at 15th and Harvard. There are only so many photos of sugary, frosted goodness a mortal girl can take, especially this close to Valentine\'s Day.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>The cases at Merritt\'s are full - bursting, actually - of tasty, V-Day themed treats. There were tuxedo-style chocolate-covered strawberries - you know, the kind with the long, delicate stems. There were rose-topped petit fours. There were heart-shaped, frosted cakes and boxes of cake truffles and trays of assorted, red-and-white trimmed treats. Oh, my.<br /><br />And, there were cookies. Lord have mercy, were there cookies.<br /><br />We liked this one.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351181745/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4351181745_7478591930.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />It\'s a classic sugar cookie, topped with Merritt\'s trademark frosting to look like one of those conversation hearts we all like to play with at this time of year.<br /><br />Here\'s what happened when I put this show-stopping cookie in front of my two-year-old. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351181745/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4351181745_7478591930.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351930756/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2757/4351930756_086eb226ea.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351930970/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4351930970_357c6db3f7.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351182463/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4351182463_1e90d9724d.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />How do you like my time-lapse photography skills? Yeah, that\'s right. Fear this. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351931442/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4351931442_7987c9a9a1.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Here\'s the kid doing his ritual glancing about before sinking his teeth into something that will surely ruin his appetite for whatever nutritious fodder he may or may not have consumed at lunchtime. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351182955/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2741/4351182955_6390f8be48.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Yikes - there\'s the evil eye. A kid behind us was looking at our cookie. How freaking dare he.<br /><br />No matter now. It\'s time for the kill. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351932170/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4351932170_090926c779.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351932344/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2786/4351932344_3cb6e9b631.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Nom, nom. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351183911/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2702/4351183911_b9a1f4043e.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nAmen. ','Love Is A Cookie from Merritt\'s Bakery','There are only so many photos of sugary, frosted goodness a mortal girl can take, especially this close to Valentine\'s Day.','publish','open','open','','valentines-day-merritts-bakery','','','2011-02-12 15:40:09','2011-02-12 20:40:09','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=462',0,'post','',10),(5882,1,'2011-02-12 15:36:12','2011-02-12 20:36:12','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351932170/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4351932170_090926c779.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Finally, I caved. <a href=\"http://twitter.com/merrittsbakery\">After drooling over the Twitter feed of Merritt\'s Bakery all week long</a>, I finally gave in and took my son to the Midtown location of <a href=\"http://merrittsbakery.com/\">Merritt\'s Bakery</a>, at 15th and Harvard. There are only so many photos of sugary, frosted goodness a mortal girl can take, especially this close to Valentine\'s Day.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>The cases at Merritt\'s are full - bursting, actually - of tasty, V-Day themed treats. There were tuxedo-style chocolate-covered strawberries - you know, the kind with the long, delicate stems. There were rose-topped petit fours. There were heart-shaped, frosted cakes and boxes of cake truffles and trays of assorted, red-and-white trimmed treats. Oh, my.<br /><br />And, there were cookies. Lord have mercy, were there cookies.<br /><br />We liked this one.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351181745/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4351181745_7478591930.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />It\'s a classic sugar cookie, topped with Merritt\'s trademark frosting to look like one of those conversation hearts we all like to play with at this time of year.<br /><br />Here\'s what happened when I put this show-stopping cookie in front of my two-year-old. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351181745/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4351181745_7478591930.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351930756/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2757/4351930756_086eb226ea.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351930970/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4351930970_357c6db3f7.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351182463/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4351182463_1e90d9724d.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />How do you like my time-lapse photography skills? Yeah, that\'s right. Fear this. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351931442/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4351931442_7987c9a9a1.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Here\'s the kid doing his ritual glancing about before sinking his teeth into something that will surely ruin his appetite for whatever nutritious fodder he may or may not have consumed at lunchtime. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351182955/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2741/4351182955_6390f8be48.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Yikes - there\'s the evil eye. A kid behind us was looking at our cookie. How freaking dare he.<br /><br />No matter now. It\'s time for the kill. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351932170/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4351932170_090926c779.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351932344/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2786/4351932344_3cb6e9b631.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Nom, nom. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351183911/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2702/4351183911_b9a1f4043e.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nAmen. ','For a Valentine Time, Meet Me at Merritt\'s Bakery','There are only so many photos of sugary, frosted goodness a mortal girl can take, especially this close to Valentine\'s Day.','inherit','open','open','','462-revision-2','','','2011-02-12 15:36:12','2011-02-12 20:36:12','',462,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/02/462-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(463,1,'2010-02-12 22:46:00','2010-02-12 22:46:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4351181745/\" title=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Valentine\'s Day at Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4351181745_7478591930.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Two people\'s lives are about to get sweeter.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/02/for-valentine-time-meet-me-at-merritts.html\">Nearly 30 people are hankering for cupcakes from Merritt\'s right now</a>. I like the thought of that - that\'s a lot of longing for cake and frosting. I think that\'s wonderful.<br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S3XY5JApM9I/AAAAAAAABqg/6f5LmmxX57I/s1600-h/Picture+35.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S3XY5JApM9I/AAAAAAAABqg/6f5LmmxX57I/s320/Picture+35.png\" /></a></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Here goes the first winner:&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S3XYmGc4QVI/AAAAAAAABqQ/rGxv4JwcsEk/s1600-h/Picture+37.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S3XYmGc4QVI/AAAAAAAABqQ/rGxv4JwcsEk/s320/Picture+37.png\" /></a><br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><br /></div><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S3XYvDohseI/AAAAAAAABqY/pXKY-Dsssf0/s1600-h/Picture+38.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"130\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S3XYvDohseI/AAAAAAAABqY/pXKY-Dsssf0/s640/Picture+38.png\" width=\"640\" /></a><br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Congrats, Marty! <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">E-mail me right quick, would ya</a>?&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Here\'s the second winner:&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S3XYdo5TfuI/AAAAAAAABqI/MkZ8q1lLdwU/s1600-h/Picture+39.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S3XYdo5TfuI/AAAAAAAABqI/MkZ8q1lLdwU/s320/Picture+39.png\" /></a><br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S3XYW_8AQKI/AAAAAAAABqA/YtK5YoWlL6s/s1600-h/Picture+40.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"145\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S3XYW_8AQKI/AAAAAAAABqA/YtK5YoWlL6s/s640/Picture+40.png\" width=\"640\" /></a></div>Congrats, SpiffySilpion! <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">E-mail me, Spiffy</a>.<br /><br />Thanks to everyone for playing! And remember, Merritt\'s Bakery in Midtown is open 6am-6pm tomorrow - that\'s plenty of time to stock up on sweets for your sweet thang.<br /><br />You know what? You all are my sweet thangs. Thanks so much for hanging out with me here on this silly little blog.','Merritt\'s Winners!','','publish','open','open','','merritts-winners','','','2010-02-12 22:46:00','2010-02-12 22:46:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=463',0,'post','',0),(464,1,'2010-02-13 18:25:00','2010-02-13 18:25:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4269351611/\" title=\"Skate Date 2009 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Skate Date 2009\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2782/4269351611_066d8f338b.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><div style=\"text-align: left;\">What are these people doing?</div></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a name=\'more\'></a><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4270095624/\" title=\"Skate Date 2009 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Skate Date 2009\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4270095624_ce32de0772.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><div style=\"text-align: left;\">They\'re waiting in line, of course.&nbsp;</div></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><div style=\"text-align: left;\">But, for what?</div></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4270095920/\" title=\"Skate Date 2009 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Skate Date 2009\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4270095920_fa7d2064c7.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><div style=\"text-align: left;\">That\'s a long line, and that\'s a lot of folks.&nbsp;In fact, it looks like there are more than 7,500 of them.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Whatever\'s at the front of this line must really be something worth waiting for.</div></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4270095100/\" title=\"Skate Date 2009 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Skate Date 2009\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2756/4270095100_de274c29ff.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Let me just tell you - it is.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4270094306/\" title=\"Skate Date 2009 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Skate Date 2009\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/4270094306_7255e28c84.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://www.bokcenter.com/news.asp?id=10&amp;pid=222&amp;task=display&amp;pcatid=\">I\'m talking about Skate Date, and it\'s at the BOK Center from 10am-10pm this Valentine\'s Day</a>.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">V-Day happens only once a year, and so does the chance to skate on the 17,000-square-foot ice rink in the BOK Center under a giant disco ball with your sweetie, whoever that might be.&nbsp;</div></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Maybe it\'s your daughter, who just seems to be growing up just a little too fast. Maybe it\'s an old flame and you\'re hoping for an event that can help rekindle the fire. Maybe it\'s just your friend. With whom you\'d like to skate in the dark to Endless Love.</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">What? Friends listen to Endless Love in the dark.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Or, maybe it\'s your spouse of six years. In that case, watch yourself - spouses of six years are known for their antics on the ice.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4270093990/\" title=\"Skate Date 2009 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Skate Date 2009\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2780/4270093990_fd61d747c9.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">There\'s my spouse of six years - actually, last year, at the first-ever Skate Date at BOK Center, he was my spouse of five years. But, still. You can tell just by looking at him that he can\'t wait trip me. You see, he wants to be the guy to pick me up, dust me off and give me a kiss to make it all better. </div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Though I find fault with this plan, you can borrow it for this year\'s Skate Date, if you want. It\'s as good a lead as any.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4270094804/\" title=\"Skate Date 2009 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Skate Date 2009\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4270094804_6daedda923.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">This week I said it on <a href=\"http://kjrh.com/\">the KJRH Midday Show</a> and <a href=\"http://krmg.com/krmgmorningnews.com\">the KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley</a>, and I\'ll say it again: This is one of my favorite Tulsa events all year long. If you\'re still looking for something to do this Valentine\'s Day, you should go.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">This event is a highly enjoyable way to do something memorable for the most romantic day of the year without blowing a wad of cash. Admission to the event is free - it doesn\'t get any cheaper than free, people - and skate rental is $10 per person, or $5 for kids under three. Or, if you bring your own skates, it\'s just $5 to get on the rink. &nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Plus, the concession stands will be open. And social lubricant will be available for anyone who\'s over 21 and needs some.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">I\'m sorry I said lubricant. Please don\'t tell my parents. I\'ll do anything.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img height=\"400\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SZejAVQuTkI/AAAAAAAAAp4/SRgm1CBpZJI/s400/DSC03708.JPG\" width=\"285\" /></div><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Know what will be waiting in the BOK Center lobby? The chance to have your photo taken in front of a green screen. If I were you, I\'d choose the moon landing background. It\'s very romantic.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">There will also be face painting and long-stemmed roses for sale. Outside on third street, the horse and carriage will be waiting to take you through the art deco-lined streets of downtown Tulsa. Carriage rides will be available noon-4pm and again from 5pm-9pm. Cool, huh?&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3321723914/\" title=\"BOK Center by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"BOK Center\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3631/3321723914_c70b5aa61e.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Would you believe me if I told you I know how to get on the rink at Skate Date for free? And into the horse-drawn carriage for free?&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">No, it doesn\'t involve sneaking in some secret back door at the BOK Center or bribing the carriage driver. It does, however, involve talking to me. Which can be just as treacherous as breaking the law.</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Leave a comment on this post. Tweet on Twitter. Update your status on Facebook. It doesn\'t matter what you do as long as you mention Skate Date and this blog when you do it.&nbsp;</b></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /><b>Blog post comment</b>. You can tell me what you hope to get for Valentine\'s Day, what you got me for Valentine\'s Day, why you hate Valentine\'s Day thank you very much, what shoe size you wear or even your ABC\'s. It doesn\'t matter. Just leave a comment<br /><br /><b>Twitter</b>. Same thing as with the blog post comment. Just make sure you put @tashadoestulsa so I can see what you wrote.<br /><br /><b>Facebook</b>. Same thing as with Twitter and the blog post comment. Just make sure you tag me in whatever you post so I can see it (type @Tasha Does Tulsa and choose my Facebook profile in the drop-down menu that appears).<br /><br /><b>The winner - which will be chosen by my husband and will be based on originality since there won\'t be any easy way to put the entries in order for a Random.org drawing - gets two passes to Skate Date, plus a free ride in the horse-drawn carriage.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>Entries here at this blog post, on Facebook and Twitter will be accepted until 7pm this evening (Saturday, Feb. 13)</b>. As always, please don\'t enter this contest if you\'re not able to attend Skate Date tomorrow OR if you won\'t have access to the Internet this evening, which is when I\'ll announce the winner.<br /><br />Good luck, and happy almost-Valentine\'s Day!</div></div></div>','Skate Date 4 U','','publish','open','open','','skate-date-4-u','','','2010-02-13 18:25:00','2010-02-13 18:25:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=464',0,'post','',4),(465,1,'2010-02-14 03:20:00','2010-02-14 03:20:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4270094306/\" title=\"Skate Date 2009 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Skate Date 2009\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/4270094306_7255e28c84.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />You know how I was running <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/02/skate-date-4-u.html\">that contest earlier today for two passes to Skate Date</a>, the uber-hip, <a href=\"http://www.bokcenter.com/news.asp?id=10&amp;pid=222&amp;task=display&amp;pcatid=\">Valentine\'s Day-inspired event happening at BOK Center all day tomorrow</a>?<br /><br />Yeah, well, about that.<br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br />See, I really do have two passes to Skate Date, plus a voucher for a horse-and-carriage ride. What I didn\'t mention before was that <b>I have two MORE passes to Skate Date than I said I had</b>.<br /><br />See? It always pays to enter contests her at TDT. You never know what\'s going to happen. I mean, who knows, I might give something awesome to everyone who enters a contest someday. You just never know how crazy things are going to get around here.<br /><br />Okay, let\'s talk winners. Like I said, I let my husband judge the contest. He pored over your entries on <a href=\"http://facebook.com/tashadoestulsa\">Facebook</a>, <a href=\"http://twitter.com/tashadoestulsa\">Twitter</a> and <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/02/skate-date-4-u.html\">here at the blog</a> and came to what he said was a very tough decision.<br /><br /><b>The winner of the first two Skate Date passes is </b><a href=\"http://twitter.com/vickimaeisok\"><b>Vicki Mae</b></a>. Hubs liked that, according to what she said on Twitter, she and her hubs were going to go anyway, whether they won tickets or not. Way to do Tulsa, Vicki Mae. He also liked the idea of saving another young married couple $20 for their effort.<br /><br /><b>The winner of the second two Skate Date passes, plus a free ride in the horse-drawn carriage, is </b><a href=\"http://crashtestmommy.net/\"><b>Jenny from the local blog, Crash Test Mommy</b></a>. Hey, you guys? If you\'re not already reading <a href=\"http://crashtestmommy.net/\">Crash Test Mommy</a>, you should be. That way you won\'t be like my husband when he tells his blogger wife that he thinks that Jenny chick from Crash Test Dummy is pretty funny and by the way she entered your Skate Date contest and I think that we should give her the tickets and said blogger wife promptly blows his head off of his neck with OMG it\'s JENNY JENNY JENNY from Crash Test MOMMY, you buffoon, and DID SHE REALLY ENTER MY CONTEST??? because I understand it\'s not too pleasant of an experience, really. <br /><br />Thanks all I\'ve got, folks. Thanks so much for playing the third contest in a row here at TDT this Valentine\'s week. I hope you all have a mushy, gushy, ultra-romantic Valentine\'s Day. Or, an uneventful, relaxing, all-about-you Valentine\'s Day. However it is you roll.','Skate Date Winners. Yes, Winners with an -S.','','publish','open','open','','skate-date-winners-yes-winners-with-s','','','2010-02-14 03:20:00','2010-02-14 03:20:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=465',0,'post','',0),(466,1,'2010-02-14 15:22:00','2010-02-14 15:22:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4355797303/\" title=\"Merritt\'s Bakery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Merritt\'s Bakery\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4355797303_6f5ffabbee.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />So, hey. Why did the banana go out with the prune? <br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>Because it couldn\'t get a date.<br /><br />Ha! Ha ha ha ha! Oh boy, that was a good one.<br /><br />Hope everyone\'s having a hilarious Valentine\'s Day!','A Valentine\'s Day Joke','','publish','open','open','','valentines-day-joke','','','2010-02-14 15:22:00','2010-02-14 15:22:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=466',0,'post','',0),(467,1,'2010-02-15 15:15:00','2010-02-15 15:15:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4359529846/\" title=\"Golden Driller by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Golden Driller\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2677/4359529846_f94acbc9b3.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Every Tulsan has photos like these stashed somewhere in their photo albums or digital files. Why? Because this here is&nbsp;<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Driller\">the Golden Driller, and he\'s one of our top tourist attractions here in T-Town</a>.<br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br />Yes, a 76-foot tall, 22-ton likeness of a roustabout is something that every visitor to Tulsa wants to see. St. Louis has The Arch. Seattle has the Space Needle. San Antonio has The Alamo.<br /><br />Here in Tulsa, we have this tall drink of sweet tea.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4358787509/\" title=\"Golden Driller by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Golden Driller\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4358787509_6a96e0177a.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4359528768/\" title=\"Golden Driller by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Golden Driller\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4359528768_ffceba78b9.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Why, Mr. Golden Driller. What big feet you have.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">You know what they say about guys with big feet. They have...</div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4359529336/\" title=\"Golden Driller by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Golden Driller\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4359529336_e26f902d1f.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Big shoes.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://breastimpressions.com/\">Judi Grove of Breast Impressions</a> and Scott Smith of <a href=\"http://bluejackalope.com/\">The Blue Jackalope Groceries and Coffee</a> gave this great intro at <a href=\"http://thetulseys.com/\">last year\'s Tulsey awards</a> about this very issue. These two came up with this story about how Mr. Driller\'s - ahem - <i>package</i> was - cough - <i>downsized</i> back at the end of the oil boom of the early eighties. According to the fiction, oil prices went into a free fall not long after Mr. Driller was, erm, <i>reduced</i>.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">So, Judi and Scott proposed an initiative - the Repackage Tulsa initiative. To, you know, restore Tulsa as the Oil Capital of the World.&nbsp;</div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4358787927/\" title=\"Golden Driller by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Golden Driller\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4358787927_08b8db6b64.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4358788121/\" title=\"Golden Driller by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Golden Driller\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/4358788121_f1673842f5.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />I\'ll have to remember to ask Judi and Scott how Repackage Tulsa is coming along. I\'ll keep you updated.<br /><br />Do you have Golden Driller photos? Can I see \'em?','Our Golden Driller','','publish','open','open','','our-golden-driller','','','2010-02-15 15:15:00','2010-02-15 15:15:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=467',0,'post','',3),(468,1,'2010-02-16 15:30:00','2010-02-16 15:30:00','<strong>PSST: <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2012/02/mardi-gras-things-to-do-in-tulsa-2012/\" target=\"_blank\">Looking for the 2012 list of Mardi Gras things to do in Tulsa?</a></strong> Get the list at DO WHAT?\r\n\r\n<strong>UPDATE//</strong><a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/\">Click here for the 2011 list of things to do on Fat Tuesday</a>.\r\n\r\n<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','','publish','open','open','','how-to-do-fat-tuesday-in-tulsa','','\nhttp://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-parade-blue-dome-district-food-wine-specials-2011/','2012-02-16 11:46:18','2012-02-16 17:46:18','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=468',0,'post','',2),(469,1,'2010-02-17 23:21:00','2010-02-17 23:21:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4366555944/\" title=\"Drillers Stadium by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Drillers Stadium\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4366555944_2b9ef893f3.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Can you guess what I\'m thinking about today?<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3520548563/\" title=\"Woodward Park by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Woodward Park\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3613/3520548563_ce3c097b1c.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />The weather has been lovely today. It\'s hard not to think of...<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3374852608/\" title=\"It\'s Officially Spring, Tulsa by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"It\'s Officially Spring, Tulsa\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/3374852608_2f8b7da73f.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Spring, baby. Spring, sweet spring.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3431131759/\" title=\"Purdy Lettuce by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Purdy Lettuce\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/3431131759_21b62630f7.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Oh, <a href=\"http://www.threespringsfarm.com/\">local lettuce from Three Springs Farm</a>. Between you and <a href=\"http://tulsa.drillers.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100126&amp;content_id=7969050&amp;vkey=news_t260&amp;fext=.jsp&amp;sid=t260\">a new stadium to break in down in the Blue Dome District here in a few months</a>&nbsp;(tickets are already on sale for opening night, so get \'em while they\'re hot), I\'m chomping at the bit for spring to arrive this year.&nbsp;</div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4366555944/\" title=\"Drillers Stadium by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Drillers Stadium\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4366555944_2b9ef893f3.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />I just wanted you to see why.','Pining','','publish','open','open','','pining','','','2010-02-17 23:21:00','2010-02-17 23:21:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=469',0,'post','',4),(471,1,'2010-02-22 03:00:00','2010-02-22 03:00:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4376977937/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"330\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2696/4376977937_589ef7b3a9_o.png\" width=\"316\" /></a></div><br /><i>Guess who\'s here at TDT for a guest post? None other than </i><a href=\"http://twitter.com/andreamyers\"><i>Andrea Myers</i></a><i>, that\'s who.&nbsp;</i><br /><i><a name=\'more\'></a></i><br /><i>Andrea is a downtown PR pro by day and a semi-rural Claremore mom by night and weekends.&nbsp;Anytime someone wants to know more about the system of pedestrian tunnels that lies beneath the streets of downtown Tulsa, Andrea is never far away. Here she gives us a tour of the tunnels that run from her office to one of her favorite downtown lunch spots. Enjoy!</i><br /><br />There’s a magical place in downtown Tulsa that regularly takes me from my office in the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BOK_Tower\">BOK Tower</a> to various places in the central business district of downtown Tulsa. What is this mysterious tube of transport? Why, it’s the downtown tunnel, of course. Not familiar? Well, walk with me.<br /><br />The tour starts here. My office. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4376977175/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"365\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4376977175_ca3dd55535_o.png\" width=\"421\" /></a></div><br />It\'s on the 50th floor of the BOK Tower in the One Williams Center complex. If Boston Avenue went straight through, I’d be standing at about the corner of Boston and Second Street. If you look out my office window, you can see straight down Boston.<br /><br />We’re headed to the Atlas Life Building today. See the red building on the left? That’s the Kennedy Building. And the tall building behind it? That’s the Mid-Continent Tower. The Atlas Life Building is behind that. And we’re going to take the tunnel all the way there.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4377727230/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"396\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2774/4377727230_4d356b3085_o.png\" width=\"302\" /></a></div><br />You see, in my free time, and on my way to lunch, I enjoy showing tunnel newbies through the labyrinth of underground hallways. It’s especially handy on these frigid and windy Tulsa days. Off to the <a href=\"http://www.tulsapressclub.com/\">Tulsa Press Club</a> – my lunch and after-work place to hang – in the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_Life_Building\">Atlas Life Building</a>.<br /><br />We start by heading to the lobby of my building. On the plaza level, there’s a convenient pedestrian walkway that goes over Second Street into the <a href=\"http://www.crowneplaza.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/tulcp?&amp;cm_mmc=mdpr-_-googlemaps-_-cp-_-tulcp&amp;dp=true\">Crowne Plaza Hotel</a>. Many Tulsans will remember this area as the former <a href=\"http://www.losttulsa.com/2008/12/williams-center-forum-photo-set.html\">Williams Forum</a>, a shopping mall and ice skating rink. Today, it’s offices for <a href=\"http://www.williams.com/\">Williams</a>.<br /><br />While you’re in the Crowne (as us locals call it), grab a latte at the Starbucks or a quesadilla at <a href=\"http://www.dailygrill.com/\">the Daily Grill</a>. Take the escalator in the hotel down to the ground floor. Look back up and you’ll see this.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4376977775/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"487\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2794/4376977775_b6e65465b8_o.png\" width=\"319\" /></a></div><br />These are not the only gold escalators you’ll see on this tour.<br /><br />Go into the parking garage like you own the place. The Crowne staff is nice and doesn’t seem to mind that wanderers like myself use it as a sidewalk. When you get in the parking garage, hang a right and you’ll see a mysterious set of glass doors. Ever wonder what’s in there when you park to see a show at the PAC?  <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4376977937/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"330\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2696/4376977937_589ef7b3a9_o.png\" width=\"316\" /></a></div><br />Don’t be scared. Walk on in. You’re now under Third Street around the intersection of it and Boston. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4376978079/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"270\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2593/4376978079_4b686ff761_o.png\" width=\"363\" /></a></div><br />At this point, you’re in the <a href=\"http://www.office320.com/\">320 Building</a>. It’s the original home of the National Bank of Tulsa, now fondly and cleverly referred to as <a href=\"http://www.bankofoklahoma.com/\">Bank of Oklahoma</a>. There’s still a bank branch there - a fancy one, I might add. It\'s probably the prettiest bank in town. If you haven’t seen the lobby of the 320 Building, check it out next time you’re downtown. Here’s a picture of it in its glory days.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4377728050/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"333\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4377728050_0a3b6d4b27.jpg\" width=\"351\" /></a></div><br />This photo hangs along the tunnel route, by the way.<br /><br />You’re now at street level in the building, so walk through, again, like you own the place. Like you know what you’re doing. Like you’re not just passing through but rather, there to do some important business.<br /><br />You\'ll wind around and come to an escalator. If you go up, you’re in that fancy bank branch I mentioned. Go down the stairs and you’re in the vault, and it’s pretty fancy, too. Note, I wanted to take a picture of the vault to demonstrate its coolness – looks just like a vault in a movie about a bank robbery – but I decided they might think I was planning a heist so I walked on by.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4377728184/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"286\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4377728184_2f846371d3_o.png\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Now you’re under Boston Avenue. This is probably the least attractive portion of our tour. Evidently, it’s tricky keeping ceiling tiles from getting wet down there. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4377728482/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"441\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4377728482_dc4777463b.jpg\" width=\"403\" /></a></div><br />Mind the “caution” signs and just walk on past the trash cans collecting the dripping road water.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4377728786/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"468\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4377728786_8f6a34a292.jpg\" width=\"333\" /></a></div><br />The tunnel now winds under Fourth Street and connects to the Kennedy Building, which is located at the corner of Boston Ave. and Fourth Street. There’s a <a href=\"https://www.midfirst.com/\">Midfirst Bank</a> branch in the lobby. If you haven’t noticed, lots of banking can be done while you’re in the tunnel.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4376979183/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"289\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4376979183_8f969786eb_o.png\" width=\"380\" /></a></div><br />There are other special finds in the tunnel, too. Like the office for the <a href=\"http://www.tulsaarchitecture.com/\">Tulsa Foundation for Architecture</a> in the bottom of the Kennedy Building. They have some cool old stuff displayed in their windows that you can check out if you’re running early for a lunch meeting, which I might have done a time or two.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4377729220/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"372\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2748/4377729220_186b5ac23a_o.png\" width=\"431\" /></a></div><br />Other random things along the tunnel path? Doors. With no signs. Which appear to not have been opened for decades. I particularly like this one.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4376979619/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"333\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4376979619_c5818168a4_o.png\" width=\"252\" /></a></div><br />We’re now headed into the <a href=\"http://www.midcontinenttower.com/Home.aspx\">Mid-Continent Tower</a>, my personal favorite when it comes to downtown buildings. Not only because I’ve officed there a few times on a few different floors, but also because <a href=\"http://www.towerfitness.net/\">my gym</a> is there and after I workout in the mornings, I reward myself with a delicious, probably previously frozen sausage roll to cancel out the calories I just burned. I hear they also have fruit.<br /><br />When you first get into this portion of the tunnel, you can see some really great, and really big pictures of old Tulsa.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4377729512/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"255\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4377729512_e83c81e130_o.png\" width=\"333\" /></a></div><br />Once you go through those doors, stop and grab a haircut or get your shoes shined or just have a chat with Vicki. She rocks.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4377729756/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"383\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4377729756_93a6ed0be3_o.png\" width=\"399\" /></a></div><br />Head up these escalators to the lobby of the Mid-Continent.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4376980133/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"264\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2713/4376980133_fef02f9851_o.png\" width=\"328\" /></a></div><br />If you haven’t been to the Mid-Continent Tower, now is the time. It’s on <a href=\"http://www.nps.gov/nr/\">the National Register of Historic Places</a> and it’s really beautiful. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4376980387/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"453\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4376980387_9e48e0e012_o.jpg\" width=\"343\" /></a></div><br />Say hello to the guards and walk through. Hang a left to walk through the elevator bank. Then, take another left. You’ll see this guy.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4377730472/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"420\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2593/4377730472_5bd03ffd4d_o.png\" width=\"318\" /></a></div><br />And then you’ll see some more glass doors.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4377730572/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"183\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2683/4377730572_d3aee1835c_o.png\" width=\"389\" /></a></div><br />We’ve almost reached our destination. <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_Life_Building\">The Atlas Life Building</a> is currently under construction. It’s being renovated and will later this year be a <a href=\"http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tultd-courtyard-tulsa-downtown/\">Courtyard by Marriott</a>. Because it’s a historic building, also on the Registry, much care is being taken to restore it to its previous glory.<br /><br />Head on in and you’ll find one of my favorite places in downtown Tulsa.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4376980871/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"215\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4376980871_140b61f898_o.png\" width=\"354\" /></a></div><br />The <a href=\"http://www.tulsapressclub.com/\">Tulsa Press Club</a> is located in the lobby of the building and nonmembers are always welcome to try it out. The new hotel’s lobby will be on the second floor. Speaking of the lobby, it’s not pretty right now. Lots of burly fellows are working, and dust is flying. But it’s temporary. So come on in to the Club and have lunch served from the fabulous <a href=\"http://www.newatlasgrill.com/\">Atlas Grill</a> across the hall or grab a drink after work.<br /><br />When you’re in the Club, maybe play the piano like the old timers used to. Here, I pretend to play while I make a fellow board member take my picture.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4376981053/\" title=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa\'s Tunnels with Andrea Myers\" height=\"301\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4376981053_b3b5607544_o.png\" width=\"355\" /></a></div><br />You used to be able to go all the way <a href=\"http://www.philtower.com/\">the Philtower Building</a> while staying indoors, but with the Atlas Life construction that’s not possible. According to <a href=\"http://www.bandanatours.com/\">this history</a> (which is a fascinating read) the tunnel used to go to <a href=\"http://philcade.com/\">the Philcade Building</a>, which is across Fifth Street on Boston, but that portion of the tunnel is closed.<br /><br />No matter where you go when the tunnel ends, at least you arrived there about half warm, and maybe just a little dusty.<br /><br />Confused about how we got here?  Lost Tulsa has <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/losttulsa/62498547/\">a map</a>.&nbsp;I’m not sure it makes it any clearer, though. Maybe hire <a href=\"http://www.bandanatours.com/\">a real tour guide</a> to show you around. <br /><br />Or, next time you’re downtown, give me a shout and we’ll walk to lunch.','Tulsa\'s Underworld...To Lunch','','publish','open','open','','tulsas-underworldto-lunch','','','2010-02-22 03:00:00','2010-02-22 03:00:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=471',0,'post','',15),(472,1,'2010-02-22 18:53:00','2010-02-22 18:53:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Me, Downtown by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3958218147/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2520/3958218147_359906463b.jpg\" alt=\"Me, Downtown\" width=\"333\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nBelow are the highlights for the Tulsa side of the Turnpike on the big news at <a href=\"http://oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/2010/02/2009-okie-blog-award-winners.html\">the Oklahoma Blog Awards Web site</a>.\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Congrats to all the winners, runners-up and nominees. Blogging is so important these days to how people learn about Oklahoma and what we can learn about ourselves. To anyone out there thinking that blogging sounds like fun, I say this: Do it. It\'s hard work (more than a lot of folks think, but that\'s true about darn near everything, isn\'t it?) and it\'s demanding of one\'s time, but it\'s worth it.\r\n\r\nSo worth it.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<a name=\"more\"></a>Last week, Oklahoma bloggers voted for their favorite Oklahoma blogs in the annual peer-selection competition. Winners and runners-up include:\r\n\r\n<strong>Lifetime Achievement</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/\">The Pioneer Woman</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Best Overall Blog</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://theartofmanliness.com/\">The Art of Manliness</a>\r\nRunner Up: <a href=\"http://www.thelostogle.com/\">The Lost Ogle</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Best Audio/Podcast Blog</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://blogoklahoma.com/\">Blog Oklahoma</a>\r\nRunner Up: <a href=\"http://goodbyetulsa.com/\">Goodbye Tulsa</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Best Culture Blog</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://tashadoestulsa.com/\">Tasha Does Tulsa</a>\r\nRunner Up: <a href=\"http://oklahomarock.com/\">Oklahoma Rock</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Best Blog Design</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://erinconrad.blogspot.com/\">Erin Conrad Photography</a>\r\nRunner Up: <a href=\"http://adbrad.com/blog/\">Ad Brad</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Best Family Blog</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.918couponqueen.com/\">918 Coupon Queen</a>\r\nRunner Up: <a href=\"http://www.rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/\">Rocks in My Dryer</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Best Food Blog</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://tulsafoodblog.com/\">Tulsa Food Blog</a>\r\nRunner Up: <a href=\"http://blog.newsok.com/fooddude/\">FoodDude</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Most Humorous Blog</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://thelostogle.com/\">The Lost Ogle</a>\r\nRunner Up: <a href=\"http://irritatedtulsan.wordpress.com/\">Irritated Tulsan</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Most Inspirational Blog</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://blog.newsok.com/lifeisreal-jim/\">Life is Real</a> (posthumous)\r\nRunner Up: <a href=\"http://www.napkindad.com/\">Napkin Dad</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Best New Blog of 2009</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://okiecreative.com/typography/oklablog/\">Okie Creative</a>\r\nRunner Up: <a href=\"http://carlessintulsa.blogspot.com/\">Carless in Tulsa</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Best Political Blog (Conservative)</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://batesline.com/\">BatesLine</a>\r\nRunner Up: <a href=\"http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/\">McCarville Report</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Best Political Blog (Liberal)</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.okiefunk.com/\">Okie Funk</a>\r\nRunner Up: <a href=\"http://alternativetulsa.blogspot.com/\">Alternative Tulsa</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Best Rural Blog</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.theredneckdiva.com/\">The Redneck Diva</a>\r\nRunner Up: <a href=\"http://www.britgalusa.com/\">Brit Gal in the USA</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Best Tech Blog </strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.bloggingbasics101.com/\">Blogging Basics 101</a>\r\nRunner Up: <a href=\"http://www.stfpr.com/newmedia/index.cfm?categoryid=2\">STF PR New Media Now</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Best Tulsa Blog</strong>\r\n<a href=\"http://tashadoestulsa.com/\">Tasha Does Tulsa</a>\r\nRunner Up: <a href=\"http://irritatedtulsan.wordpress.com/\">Irritated Tulsan</a>\r\n\r\nThis year marks the first time an Oklahoma blogger has been honored with a lifetime achievement award. Based on her enormous success as a blogger, and the positive image of Oklahoma she presents to the rest of the world, the final determination panel decided to honor <a href=\"http://thepioneerwoman.com/\">Ree Drummond, aka The Pioneer Woman</a>, with the award.\r\n\r\nIn addition, this year is the first time a blogger has been recognized posthumously. <a href=\"http://blog.newsok.com/lifeisreal-jim/\">Jim Chastain, whose blog, Life is Real via newsok.com</a>, inspired hundreds of Oklahomans with his fight against cancer. Although he lost that battle just two short months ago, his words live on.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.okiedoke.com/\">Mike Hermes, a newspaper editor from Little Axe, is the founder of the Okie Blog Awards</a>. This year’s awards were coordinated by <a href=\"http://www.jenx67.com/\">Jennifer James, an Oklahoma City public relations practitioner and writer who blogs about Generation X</a>.\r\n\r\nMembers of the panel that counted the votes and determined the winners included Mike Hermes; <a href=\"http://www.oklahomatoday.com/\">Louisa McCune-Elmore, editor, Oklahoma Today</a>; <a href=\"http://www.stfpr.com/index.cfm\">Mike Koehler, new media director, Schnake Turnbo Frank PR</a> and <a href=\"http://www.acogok.org/\">John G. Johnson, J.D., executive director, Association of Central Oklahoma Governments</a>.\r\n\r\nWinners will be formally recognized this spring at an organized gathering of Oklahoma’s Twitter community. Information about the tweetup will be made available on <a href=\"http://okctweetup.com/\">okctweetup.com</a>.','2009 Okie Blog Award Winners Announced','','publish','open','open','','2009-okie-blog-award-winners-announced','','\nhttp://adbrad.com/blog/','2010-08-15 22:07:45','2010-08-16 03:07:45','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=472',0,'post','',7),(1242,1,'2009-11-25 05:10:00','2009-11-25 05:10:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4133109372/\" title=\"Lights On @ Utica Square by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4133109372_f5847e4749.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"308\" alt=\"Lights On @ Utica Square\" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The latest whispers from Washington say that we\'re starting to pull out of this whopper of an economic crisis. As the holiday season and the demand on the pocketbook it brings with it looms before us, I think we can all agree that this is good news. <div><br /></div><div>We\'ve all made sacrifices since our economy lurched to a standstill a few years ago. Some of us have turned to couponing to feed our families, others have given up their cable TV and still more were forced to downsize, or were downsized themselves. </div><div><br /></div><div>That we\'re seeing a light at the end of the tunnel is like stumbling upon an oasis in a sprawling desert. It seems we can\'t wait to get back to life as usual.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here\'s an idea. Rather than shop as we once did by heading to the malls or the monolithic, big-box mega-stores, check out what local shops, restaurants and other service providers have to offer instead. </div><div><br /></div><div>After all, your dad doesn\'t need another bottle of Old Spice (unless you\'re my dad - in that case, you probably do), the kids don\'t need yet more plastic toys and Mom doesn\'t want yet another gift basket from the store that rhymes with Bath &amp; Body Schworks. </div><div><br /></div><div>She\'ll only re-gift it as a Secret Santa gift at church next Christmas. Trust me. I know these things. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here\'s some more food for thought: For every $100 spent at a chain store, just $14 stays in the local community, according to <a href=\"http://www.buylocaltulsa.com/\">the Tulsa Area Independent Business Alliance</a>. Spend that same Benjamin at a locally owned store and $45 - more than 320 percent more - stays here in town. </div><div><br /></div><div>I\'m sure that folks employed by local businesses that have been forced to scale back on pay and benefits could appreciate the value of a three-fold impact on the community in which they operate. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thinking along these lines, I\'ve decided to put together the first-ever Tasha Does Tulsa holiday gift guide. Each day from now until Christmas Eve I\'ll post about a product or service sold or produced here in the Tulsa area that\'d look totally rad under (or, on) the Christmas tree. </div><div><br /></div><div>Or, in a Christmas stocking. Or, on the Christmas dinner table. Or, out in the driveway (or, in the bike rack). You get the idea.</div><div><br /></div><div>All entries in the TDT Gift Guide can be accessed by clicking a bright, shiny button that I\'ll make for the top of the right sidebar. Check back often, folks, as there\'s bound to be something new and wish list-worthy waiting for you there. </div><div><br /></div><div>You might even find a chance to win free stuff - stuff to use as holiday gifts for loved ones, for yourself, or ways to live life to the fullest in Tulsa this holiday season. Just about anything goes, so man your mouses and get ready to enter some contests and giveways.  </div><div><br /></div><div>While the line-up in this parade of local gifts is pretty much set, I\'m still open to learning about gifts that might have escaped my attention. If you come across a find that\'s too good not to share, <a href=\"mailto:tashadoestulsa@gmail.com\">e-mail me</a>. We\'ll spread Christmas cheer together, perhaps over a cup of eggnog. </div><div><br /></div><div>Because I\'m always available for a cup of eggnog.</div><div><br /></div><div>Look for the first featured gift to show up at the top of this page at some point tomorrow. Until then, happy pre-Thanksgiving cooking (or, in my case, bite-sneakin\' and beater-lickin\' and putting out fires with the help of this <a href=\"http://www.ttownmoms.com/?page=blogs/view&amp;BLID=6594\">Thanksgiving dinner survival guide at Ttownmoms.com</a>). </div>  <div class=\"zemanta-pixie\" style=\"margin-top:10px;height:15px\"><a class=\"zemanta-pixie-a\" href=\"http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/33e29024-20a8-4ae3-939b-0f7a7bd02b3e/\" title=\"Reblog this post [with Zemanta]\"><img class=\"zemanta-pixie-img\" src=\"http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=33e29024-20a8-4ae3-939b-0f7a7bd02b3e\" alt=\"Reblog this post [with Zemanta]\" style=\"border:none;float:right\" /></a><span class=\"zem-script more-related pretty-attribution\"><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js\" defer=\"defer\"></script></span></div>','Tasha Does Tulsa Gift Guide 2009','','inherit','open','open','','361-revision','','','2009-11-25 05:10:00','2009-11-25 05:10:00','',361,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/11/361-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(473,1,'2010-02-22 22:30:00','2010-02-22 22:30:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4167178728/\" title=\"TDT on 2HD Midday by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"TDT on 2HD Midday\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2717/4167178728_a9794e1499.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />I get a lot of questions about how I like being on TV and radio. Rather than tell you, I\'ll just show you.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>We\'ll stick to the TV side of things for now. We\'ll talk about radio later. Muahahahaha.<br /><br />To here is where I point my vehicle when it\'s time for a <a href=\"http://Ttownmoms.com/\">Ttownmoms.com</a>&nbsp;segment. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4380201964/\" title=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2778/4380201964_ba3063f32a.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />That\'s the <a href=\"http://kjrh.com/\">KJRH Channel 2</a> building, right in the heart of <a href=\"http://brooksidetheplacetobe.com/\">Tulsa\'s Brookside district</a>. It\'s right next door to <a href=\"http://www.oldschoolbagelcafe.com/\">Old School Bagel</a>, which is good for my soul, but not so much for my thighs. <br /><br />I\'m sorry, thighs. <br /><br />By the way, if you\'re a parent or a parent-to-be or you know a parent or two, <a href=\"http://www.ttownmoms.com/register\">you really should sign up for Ttownmoms.com</a>. I like to call it the Facebook for Tulsa parents. Not only is it another fun social medium with which to play, but it\'s also a useful resource for anyone living with a brood of walking, talking (or crawling and drooling, depending on age) tax deductions.<br /><br />Anyway. After I\'m buzzed in - Joe Schmo can\'t just saunter up to the KJRH building, walk inside, find the studio and have himself 30 seconds of fame, which is a good thing - I hike it to the green room.<br /><br />There it is. It\'s winking at us.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4379445153/\" title=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2680/4379445153_765a3a84cf.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4379445055/\" title=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4379445055_d64b4d66a6.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Here we are. There are no trays of gourmet sandwiches or chocolate covered strawberries, nor are there hair stylists or make-up artists or gold-plated toilet seats. But, there are mirrors. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4380200832/\" title=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4380200832_fb9a11eaba.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />I can never resist a mirror. Especially a bathroom mirror. Especially when I have a digital camera.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4380201156/\" title=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2752/4380201156_47a88a311c.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Because I\'m Generation Y, that\'s why. <br /><br />Hey. Do I have something on my nose?<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4379445523/\" title=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4379445523_5fbae4c7bc.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />The doctor scoped you <i>where</i>??<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4380201010/\" title=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2761/4380201010_50b5c97ecc.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />I may or may not have these same tiles in my bathroom at home. Except they may or may not be sky blue.<br /><br />Tile color doesn\'t matter, people. What matters is that the bath/dressing room is a sacred place. It\'s the only place where I can adjust my Spanx knock-offs without being judged. I cherish that.<br /><br />The Midday Show at Channel 2 gets started at 11 in the morning. The Ttownmoms.com segment, however, doesn\'t air until 11:50. So, I can waste up to 30 minutes playing in the mirror. Not that I\'ve ever done that. I\'m just saying, I could if I wanted to.<br /><br />I spend a good amount of time studying the notes that I make the Friday before each Ttownmoms.com segment, all of which air on Mondays. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4379445709/\" title=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4379445709_5de2a796c8.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />I need to have a pretty good handle on what\'s on this page of notes since, once I\'m on camera with <a href=\"http://www.kjrh.com/content/aboutus/bios/story/Erin-Christy/Pba9sYKPLk2IaaADQeuO4g.cspx\">Erin</a> or <a href=\"http://www.kjrh.com/content/aboutus/bios/story/Marla-Carter/rCN_VlCHIUyDihMBMvhs-Q.cspx\">Marla</a> or <a href=\"http://www.kjrh.com/content/aboutus/bios/story/Justin-Wilfon/boMkS_jHRk60DmP-_aLv9g.cspx\">Justin</a>, I don\'t get to fall back on my notes. I have to know my stuff or else...well, I don\'t really want to think about what \"or else\" could mean. I imagine it\'d look something like Garth in Waynes World when Wayne leaves the studio in the middle of a live show and Garth is left to carry on by himself and the guys in the sound booth are pretty sure his head is going to explode.<br /><br />Just when I start to wonder if anyone would ever find out if I jumped on the couch or not, this guy shows up.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4379445915/\" title=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2686/4379445915_5fcbe6d1a9.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />He\'s a nice guy. He thinks I\'m silly. He rolls his eyes when I joke with him. And that\'s okay. I only spent five minutes crying about it.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4380201556/\" title=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2802/4380201556_df9abdf561.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"></div><br />Here we see Marla and Erin rockin\' the Midday Show. And over there is some guy who kinda looks like the Soap Swami.<br /><br />Does anyone remember that guy? Used to be on Six in the Morning back when it was LeAnn and Rick? Every word that came out of that guy\'s mouth was gold, man. Solid gold.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4380201352/\" title=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4380201352_57a3025fac.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Anyway. After I pass behind the cameras as quietly as possible (even though the show is at commercial when I come in, but still - I\'m scared to death I\'ll make a noise), I sit in the chair on your right.<br /><br />Here\'s where the magic happens. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4380201726/\" title=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4380201726_01f4ac2b39.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Here\'s Erin. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4380201822/\" title=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4380201822_e3d5768dd4.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Erin\'s great. And nice. And way pretty.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4380202042/\" title=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4380202042_8c524e7703.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />The anchor and I touch briefly on each event I plan to describe in the segment. That\'s what I do in these segments, by the way - I talk about stuff to do around town for kids and parents. <br /><br />Pretty soon the cameras roll up and it\'s time to get started. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4379446393/\" title=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The Midday Show on KJRH with Ttownmoms.com\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2688/4379446393_873eed5136.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />This is also the time when I feel like I might barf. But I haven\'t. Yet. <br /><br />Instead, something like this happens. <br /><br /><object height=\"385\" width=\"480\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/sw97MVqJWAc&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/sw97MVqJWAc&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\"></embed></object><br /><br />And after, I sneak out of the studio, grab my stuff from the green room, run to my car, lock the door and giggle incessantly while waving my arms in the air. It\'s how I expel adrenaline, okay? If I didn\'t do this, I\'m pretty sure I\'d drive 90 miles per hour all the way home. <br /><br />That\'s it! That\'s my experience of TV. It\'s fun, it\'s exciting and it\'s not as hard or nerve-wracking as everyone thinks it is. Plus, it\'s fun for me to hear from folks who heard about an event on one of my segments and had a great time trying something new. <br /><br />Yeah. That\'s the best part. Getting the young and the old alike to do Tulsa and to discover how amazing their city is is pretty much the coolest thing ever.','Behind the Scenes at KJRH Channel 2 with Ttownmoms.com','','publish','open','open','','behind-scenes-at-kjrh-channel-2-with','','','2010-02-22 22:30:00','2010-02-22 22:30:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=473',0,'post','',6),(474,1,'2010-02-24 20:00:00','2010-02-24 20:00:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3321732316/\" title=\"Lola\'s at the Bowery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Lola\'s at the Bowery\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3321732316_41863f5381.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Looking for a musical way to spend this Wednesday night? Here are a few ideas.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S4V90lXmldI/AAAAAAAABqo/24X_N7nkYMg/s1600-h/17067_465782465536_702885536_10814587_7923955_n.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"223\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S4V90lXmldI/AAAAAAAABqo/24X_N7nkYMg/s400/17067_465782465536_702885536_10814587_7923955_n.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><br /></div><b>CharityOkie</b><br />When: 8pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://joemommas.com/\">Joe Momma\'s</a>, 112 S. Elgin Ave. in downtown Tulsa<br />Start warming those vocal cords, kids, because karaoke and fundraising have joined forces to bring Tulsans CharityOkie. This event benefits <a href=\"http://www.oklahoma.wish.org/\">Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma</a> and all the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses that the organization aims to grant. It\'s free to sing, but you have to pay $5 to sing the songs highlighted in the songbooks (read: the crowd-pleaser songs). If you want to be the next singer in line, it\'ll cost you $20. You can make a $10 donation to \"gong\" a singer off stage. Fun! If you\'re the one singing and you\'d prefer not to suffer gong humiliation, you\'d better buy some gong insurance for $10. All singers are auto-qualified to win one of three prize packs, and there are other opps to win prizes, too. You\'d better show up to find out how. <br /><br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.vickigenfan.com/\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"266\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S4WB_ylcf5I/AAAAAAAABqw/G9L2pNBEJHY/s400/VickiGenfan.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><br /><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Rebecca Ungerman Presents: Vicki Genfan in Concert</span><br />When: 7:30pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=319365628721&amp;ref=ts\">Dennis R. Neill Equality Center</a>, 621 E. Fourth Street in downtown Tulsa<br />You know that when Rebecca Ungerman says someone is amazing, it must be true. Vicki Genfan won the title Guitar Superstar in the 2008 competition sponsored by Guitar Player Magazine. Using 29 alternate tunings and the percussive technique she calls slap-tap, Vicki creates waves of sound with two hands and her voice. Drawing from folk, jazz, pop, soul and world music, whether covering the tunes of others or presenting her own compositions, Vicki is said to have a distinctive style that pushes the boundaries of the singer/songwriter genre. Now, if that doesn\'t sound like something worth seeing, I don\'t know what is. Admission is $10.<br /><br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S4WCwMCPixI/AAAAAAAABq4/iVY2ycVv1kU/s1600-h/EricHimanEvent.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S4WCwMCPixI/AAAAAAAABq4/iVY2ycVv1kU/s640/EricHimanEvent.jpg\" width=\"411\" /></a></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"><br /></div><b>Solo Acoustic Night with Eric Himan</b><br />When: 9pm<br />Where: Lola\'s at the Bowery, 5 E. Brady Street in downtown Tulsa<br />I know you\'ve seen Eric and the Adams play, but have you ever seen Eric do his own thing? Tonight\'s your chance. That this event happens in the Brady District restaurant that has more hip than Marilyn Monroe is a bonus. Grab a drink from the bar, order some tapas and see where Eric takes this thing. Girls, bring your folding fans. I have a feeling you\'ll need them.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4385952130/\" title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The Canebrake\" height=\"334\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4385952130_0c45843845.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><b>Round Mountain @ The Canebrake</b><br />When: 7-10pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://www.thecanebrake.com/request_info.html\">The Canebrake, 33241 East 732nd Road</a><br />Have dinner (see above, but grab a napkin first - you\'ll be drooling) and drinks at one of the best bars in greater Tulsa. Then, get a load of this (yes, this is real):<br /><br /><object height=\"385\" width=\"480\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/rJzDBimKDnQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/rJzDBimKDnQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\"></embed></object><br /><br />And there\'s no cover. No kidding. Hit the road, Jack.<br /><br />So, hey. What are YOU doing tonight?','Music in Tulsa Tonight','','publish','open','open','','music-in-tulsa-tonight','','','2010-02-24 20:00:00','2010-02-24 20:00:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=474',0,'post','',0),(475,1,'2010-02-25 02:03:00','2010-02-25 02:03:00','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4382935856/\" title=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4382935856_ca6074f07e.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nI got to do this really cool thing a couple of weeks ago. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4382174399/\" title=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4382174399_e3210a9bcf.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nI was asked to sit in on a taste test of the menu at a restaurant that will be opening very soon right here in Tulsa. \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4382175121/\" title=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2786/4382175121_9910a742e8.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nThat restaurant is <a href=\"http://www.piattotulsa.com/\">Piatto Cucina Italiana</a>, and its doors will open for lunch service at 11 a.m. on Monday morning, March 1. Piatto is in the Tulsa Hills shopping center at 71st Street and Highway 75.\r\n\r\nPiatto is owned by Marcia Harris and Angelo Amabile, and they both came to Tulsa from the Sunshine State.\r\n\r\nActually, while Angelo came to Tulsa from somewhere else in the U.S., he\'s originally from the Salerno region of Italy.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4385602907/\" title=\"Piatto by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Piatto\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4385602907_1881738a14.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMeaning, he has a delicious Italian accent.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4386368112/\" title=\"Piatto by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Piatto\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2736/4386368112_21ffb9cc71.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4382934568/\" title=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2758/4382934568_579917082b.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nQuick! Which is sexier - Angelo, or those fried leek-topped scallops? \r\n\r\nI know. I can\'t decide, either\r\n\r\nHere\'s Marcus. Or, as I should say, Chef Marcus. Marcus will be the head craftsman in the kitchen at Piatto.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4382173733/\" title=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4382173733_fb4b146d9d.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMarcus isn\'t one of those angry chefs like on TV. Instead of throwing plates of hot food at you when you ask a question about what he\'s up to at the stove, he chats you up about the noms he puts in front of you. We bantered about everything from olive oil to ground pepper.\r\n\r\nPlus, Marcus wears an apron. And he cooks. He cooks really, really well. \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4382935132/\" title=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4382935132_a62b5fdeb2.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nCan you tell I think highly of men who can wield the power of a stove? Maybe just a tad?\r\n\r\nNeedless to say, at a menu testing, there\'s a lot of food happening. And normally, a dish or two needs work.\r\n\r\nI don\'t know if the Piatto folks did a test of their menu testing before their menu tasting, but I couldn\'t find much wrong with any of the dozen-or-so dishes put in front of me.\r\n\r\nMy friends and family who have dined out with me know that this is quite a compliment. More often than not I\'m that chick sending stuff back to the kitchen multiple times because the pasta is overcooked, the meat is overcooked or because the vegetables are overcooked (do we see a trend here? Don\'t overcook my food, okay?). <a href=\"http://havesporkwilltravel.blogspot.com/\">Amanda</a> and <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/\">Holly</a> are among the few who have the nerve to visit a restaurant with me. These women are brave souls.\r\n\r\nAnd I\'m kind of a jerk. And I\'m okay with that. Most days. \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4382934510/\" title=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2731/4382934510_1650ef5b22.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nFried chickpeas. Oh, yum. \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4382174399/\" title=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4382174399_e3210a9bcf.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHouse-made peppardelle with beef and slow-roasted tomatoes. Fork-tender meat, deep flavors and pasta that was actually cooked al dente.\r\n\r\nHeck yes.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4382174559/\" title=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4382174559_3161b159d0.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nCannellini beans with shrimp and tomatoes and broth. Light and delicate, this dish would be the perfect light supper.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4382934946/\" title=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2463/4382934946_abab26f3dc.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nGnocchi with house-made sausage, tomato and spices. Spicy, simple and sexy.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4382174143/\" title=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2749/4382174143_5bbb9bf985.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nThere was a lot of this happening at the testing, of course. Everyone becomes close friends when Italian food hits the table.\r\n\r\nFor dessert we had this.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4382175447/\" title=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4382175447_2dbf3f7105.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWhich was basically just a sliced-up version of a rustic apple pie, served up with a side of the softest, most delicately flavored hazelnut gelato I\'ve ever had. \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4382175539/\" title=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2803/4382175539_99a9751e13.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nNow <i>that\'s</i> a pretty pie. The kind I make, not so much. \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4389808376/\" title=\"Pie Fail by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Pie Fail\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4389808376_15b39a47bd.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nOh my yikes. Let\'s not go there.\r\n\r\nWe also had this.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4382175285/\" title=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2738/4382175285_a6963b8f9f.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nA rich chocolate cake that was just as delectable as it looks. With more lovely gelato, for which I was most thankful.\r\n\r\nIf any of this has you mopping drool from your keyboard, you\'re in luck. Thanks to the folks at Piatto, <b>I have two spots to this Sunday\'s preview dinner reserved for one lucky TDT reader</b>. Not only will you get to try Piatto before just about anyone else in Tulsa, but you\'ll also get free dinner and dessert. And you\'ll get to meet Angelo, too. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post.\r\n\r\nI\'ll accept entries until tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 25) at 8 p.m. Please enter only if you\'ll be in the Tulsa area and available for dinner this Sunday between 6-9 p.m.\r\n\r\nGood luck, everybody. And buon appetito!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/58/1514031/restaurant/Southern-Hills/Piatto-Cucina-Italiana-Tulsa\"><img alt=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana on Urbanspoon\" src=\"http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1514031/minilink.gif\" style=\"border: none; height: 36px; width: 130px;\" /></a>','Oh, Angelo: Piatto Opens in Tulsa Hills','House-made peppardelle with beef and slow-roasted tomatoes. Fork-tender meat, deep flavors and pasta that was actually cooked al dente. Heck yes.','publish','open','open','','oh-angelo-piatto-opens-in-tulsa-hills','','','2011-02-10 15:32:57','2011-02-10 20:32:57','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=475',0,'post','',50),(5814,1,'2011-02-10 15:35:38','2011-02-10 20:35:38','I had the most delicious beef nachos today for lunch, and guess what - I don\'t feel one little bit guilty about it.\n\nAt about noon today, a few co-workers and I mosied down to <a href=\"http://elotetulsa.com/index.html\">Eloté Café</a><a href=\"http://elotetulsa.com/index.html\"> and Catering</a>, in the space that once housed <a href=\"http://tulsatvmemories.com/nelson.html\">Nelson\'s Buffeteria</a> at 514 S. Boston Ave., where the menu is centered on owner and chef Libby Auld\'s spin on Mexican cuisine that she coined \"Fresh-Mex.\" I had my choice of familiar, south-of-the-border dishes from tacos to quesadillas to puffy tacos, all made with fresh ingredients.\n\nThe menu at Eloté is big on healthful food, which brings me back to my nachos: they were flavorful, light and not overly filling, a far cry from the greasy, heavy nachos I order at basketball games and Taco Bueno. Not that there isn\'t a time and a place for everything, including greasy, heavy nachos, but I\'m trying to rid this world of some of my presence right now. Eloté can be good for those of us staring longingly at those skinny jeans.\n\nOne of my co-workers had the puffy tacos, one beef and one chicken, with eloté (roasted corn-on-the-cob served with a spicy, citrus aioli) and black beans. Puffy tacos - or \"pouffy tacos,\" as another customer mistakenly and hilariously called them - could be closely compared to those Indian taco things available at the fair and Mayfest, only they\'re usually much smaller, and the range of ingredients varies much more widely. I\'ve had the puffy tacos from Eloté once before, so it was fun watching someone else experience their fresh, pico-topped fabulousness.\n\nIt\'s hard to get rid of a $10 bill at this place. My co-workers and I each ate for $6-$7, including a drink. Considering that several entrees feature two sides, and since my plate of nachos was more than enough for two to share, any price less than $10 would be a great value.\n\nYet another reason to brag on Eloté: it\'s just a hop, skip or a jump from the offices of most folks who earn a living downtown. No gas money required.\n\nLibby, the owner and chef, seems to be suited for the business. Both times I\'ve been to Eloté, she has flitted between the kitchen, the dining room and the hostess stand, saying hello and checking in on everyone in between. Best of all, she can cook. I like that in a restaurant owner.\n\nEloté Cafe and Catering has the official Tasha Does Tulsa seal of approval, which means that if you mention this blog when ordering, you\'ll receive a fabulous prize. Not really. Unless you actually do.','Hola, Eloté','','inherit','open','open','','45-autosave','','','2011-02-10 15:35:38','2011-02-10 20:35:38','',45,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/02/45-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(476,1,'2010-02-26 04:00:00','2010-02-26 04:00:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4382934876/\" title=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Piatto Cucina Italiana\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4382934876_e4efdbb0e6.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">As <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/joekelley\">Joe Kelley</a> would say, is it hungry in here, or is it just me?&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"></div><a name=\'more\'></a>As at least 42 of you know, <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/02/oh-angelo-piatto-opens-in-tulsa-hills.html\">I hosted a little contest here at TDT yesterday</a>. At stake was a free chance to preview what\'s for dinner at <a href=\"http://www.piattotulsa.com/\">Piatto Cucina Italiana</a>, the new independent restaurant opening in Tulsa Hills (at 71st Street and Highway 75) Monday at 11 a.m. <br /><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Of the 42 comments on the contest post, 41 were eligible for the drawing. I committed these 41 comments to the gods at <a href=\"http://Random.org/\">Random.org</a>.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S4fSrBFb_vI/AAAAAAAABrQ/v4EY1Jh52Go/s1600-h/Picture+65.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S4fSrBFb_vI/AAAAAAAABrQ/v4EY1Jh52Go/s320/Picture+65.png\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">The 13th commenter on the contest post was...</div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S4fRWkLgh3I/AAAAAAAABrI/nlij6HIBFhg/s1600-h/Picture+66.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"195\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S4fRWkLgh3I/AAAAAAAABrI/nlij6HIBFhg/s640/Picture+66.png\" width=\"640\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Congrats, <a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/kingdaddy1773\">Kingdaddy1773</a>! I could hope that you\'ll enjoy your dinner, but I don\'t really need to. I just know that you will. I\'ll save my hoping for other things.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Thanks to everyone for playing, and don\'t forget that Piatto opens with fresh, authentic, affordable Italian noms for lunch Monday morning, 11 a.m.&nbsp;</div>','Sunday Supper at Piatto: We Have a Winner','','publish','open','open','','sunday-supper-at-piatto-we-have-winner','','','2010-02-26 04:00:00','2010-02-26 04:00:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=476',0,'post','',0),(478,1,'2010-02-27 16:17:00','2010-02-27 16:17:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4392550242/\" title=\"Just Between Friends Sale by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Just Between Friends Sale\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2785/4392550242_c0c37bfc46.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Tomorrow, I am sooo gonna score.<br /><br />I\'m gonna score some little-boy gear, that is. Rather than have to traverse the known world for garage sales in hopes of finding affordable, quality clothes, furniture and toys for my toddler, <a href=\"http://tulsa.jbfsale.com/\">I can head to the Exchange Center Building at Expo Square for the spring Just Between Friends sale</a>. Seven days of the bail out for which Tulsa-area mommy and daddy types have been waiting opens Feb. 28 and runs to March 6.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://www.ttownmoms.com/?page=blogs/view&amp;BLID=7663\">Learn more about the sale of the season on my blog at Ttownmoms.com</a>.','Calling All Tulsa Parents: JBF Sale Opens','','publish','open','open','','calling-all-tulsa-parents-jbf-sale','','','2010-02-27 16:17:00','2010-02-27 16:17:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=478',0,'post','',1),(479,1,'2011-03-09 14:30:00','2011-03-09 20:30:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Route 66 in East Tulsa, Oklahoma by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399592540/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4399592540_2e17920699.jpg\" alt=\"Route 66 in East Tulsa, Oklahoma\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\nOne of my top tips for getting to know your town, <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/know-your-town/\">whether it\'s Tulsa or Timbuktu</a>, is to swear off highways.\r\n\r\nRoute 66 is one huge exception to this rule.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate group=\"2\" banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Route 66 in East Tulsa, Oklahoma by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399592450/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2782/4399592450_6fc3797a26.jpg\" alt=\"Route 66 in East Tulsa, Oklahoma\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\nYesterday morning my little family hopped into our little car to run some errands, hopefully to be rewarded with a free trip to Philbrook Museum (Philbrook hosts a Free Family Day the second Saturday of each month). \r\n\r\nAfter two measly errands, though, our two-year-old was asleep in the backseat. Out like a light. \r\n\r\nWhile we love a visit to Philbrook, it\'s not on the list of reasons for which we\'d dare disturb the slumber of our son. Imminent danger, perhaps. Armageddon, maybe. A life-sized replica of Lightning McQueen from the movie Cars, should we find one day it exists, yes.\r\n\r\nBut a visit to a quiet, echo chamber of a museum? Absolutely freaking not.\r\n\r\nSo, instead, we hit the road - <a href=\"http://www.michaelwallis.com/\">the Mother Road</a>.\r\n\r\nWhile I know Route 66 relatively well when it comes to west Tulsa and Sapulpa, I knew next to nothing about the treasures it holds on the east side of town. Since my husband spent a lot of time in that part of town when he first came to Oklahoma from his native state of Arkansas, he was nice enough to show me a thing or two about what I\'d been missing.\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826675/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4398826675_88eacfaeed.jpg\" alt=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399593466/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4399593466_ff80acaf75.jpg\" alt=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826853/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4398826853_054d6ea345.jpg\" alt=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Section?oid=oid%3A14781&amp;category=oid%3A27582\">I like to think I know where to find a bargain, especially here in Tulsa</a>. How is it, then, that I\'ve managed to miss Admiral Flea Market? I mean, I knew it was there. I just had no idea what a hot spot it could be on a Sunday afternoon.\r\n\r\nMe thinks I need to follow my own advice a little more often.\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826947/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4398826947_e6af73a652.jpg\" alt=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399593728/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/4399593728_f58511fe74.jpg\" alt=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\nSomething that\'s easy to love about Route 66 are the roadside signs. The neon ones get a lot of love, but the other types are fun, too.\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Oasis Motel on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826579/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4398826579_c6d880d947.jpg\" alt=\"Oasis Motel on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Oasis Motel on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399593164/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4399593164_2246862689.jpg\" alt=\"Oasis Motel on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"America\'s Value Inn on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826375/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2770/4398826375_c949af94d7.jpg\" alt=\"America\'s Value Inn on Route 66\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\nCheck it out: the He\'s Not Here Sports Bar.\r\n\r\nImagine: *ring ring* \"Hello? He\'s Not Here.\"\r\n\r\nClassic.\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Daylight Donuts on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398825975/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4398825975_1a6c5cc7a8.jpg\" alt=\"Daylight Donuts on Route 66\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Daylight Donuts on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399592770/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2779/4399592770_9e37985d3e.jpg\" alt=\"Daylight Donuts on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\nI told my husband while we were driving that one could easily start a blog about Route 66 roadside signs. Or Route 66 tattoo/piercing parlors - there are as many as one per block along certain stretches of Tulsa\'s slice of the Mother Road.\r\n\r\nHotels and motels, too.\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Brookshire Motel on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826263/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4398826263_8718999d9c.jpg\" alt=\"Brookshire Motel on Route 66\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Brookshire Motel on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826173/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4398826173_e7b52478f3.jpg\" alt=\"Brookshire Motel on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\nThen, there\'s this place.\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"East Central High School on Route 66 in Tulsa, Oklahoma by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399592340/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2756/4399592340_e4957cfaab.jpg\" alt=\"East Central High School on Route 66 in Tulsa, Oklahoma\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\nThat\'s East Central High School, one of the most interesting school buildings in T-Town. <a href=\"http://www.willrogershighschool.com/alumni/history.php\">Will Rogers High School</a> is great in all of its art deco splendor, but East Central is pretty fabulous, too, if you ask me. \r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Route 66 in East Tulsa, Oklahoma by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399592540/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4399592540_2e17920699.jpg\" alt=\"Route 66 in East Tulsa, Oklahoma\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nSomething I wish I had known when I was younger is exactly how much fun it is to cruise Route 66 as it winds and meanders around town. It passes through parts of my old stomping grounds in Sapulpa, which makes me wonder why none of the boys I dated in high school were clever enough to take me out on a Route 66-themed drive. Or a Route 66-themed date, even.\r\n\r\nI guess that\'s why I married the guy with all the good ideas.\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"LaFortune Park by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4100931155/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2539/4100931155_4b80874191.jpg\" alt=\"LaFortune Park\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\nWhat are your favorite stops along Tulsa\'s stretch of Route 66?\r\n\r\n<em>This post was originally published March 1, 2010.</em>','Tulsa According to Route 66','While I know Route 66 relatively well when it comes to west Tulsa and Sapulpa, I knew next to nothing about the treasures it holds on the east side of town.','publish','open','open','','route-66-tulsa','','\nhttp://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/know-your-town/','2011-03-09 15:32:59','2011-03-09 21:32:59','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=479',0,'post','',11),(480,1,'2010-03-03 04:30:00','2010-03-03 04:30:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4402379097/\" title=\"2010 Tulsa Gridiron Cast by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"2010 Tulsa Gridiron Cast\" height=\"415\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4402379097_52020f5a4d.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />I\'ve heard it said a time or two, that I look something like someone else.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>Sometimes I remind someone of an obscure relative, a friend from their high school days or their favorite checker at the grocery store. Every now and then people look at me and see Angelina Jolie. While these people should be sainted and given a lifetime supply of chocolates, fancy cigars and the priciest Scotch, I most certainly am not Angelina Jolie.<br /><br />But go ahead and throw in gold-plated toilet seats for the lovely people in the Jolie camp. These people deserve luxury in exchange for their kindness.<br /><br />Other times, though, some folks - especially Republican types (you know who you are) - see someone else. They see the giant, out-of-date hair and the librarian glasses and the vacant stare and see but who else, the lipstick bulldog herself, Sarah Palin.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4401705245/\" title=\"Tulsa Gridiron by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Gridiron\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4401705245_76520cb5d1.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Right. All I need now are Bump-Its, bangs and a few more episodes of Fargo for extra accent study and I am so there.<br /><br />Unfortunately for my GOP family members (and in the four generations of my family still here in Tulsa I can assure you there are many, many), I\'m happy to perform as the former Alaska governor and VP nominee in <a href=\"http://tulsagridiron.org/\">the 2010 Tulsa Gridiron show</a>. <br /><br />Let me be the first to let you in on what exactly Gridiron is all about: it\'s a musical, theatrical skewering of anything that made the news over the course of the past year. The stories that were splayed on the front page of local papers, on local TV screens and local airwaves are given particular attention, creating a show with all levels of appeal. All proceeds are funneled into scholarships for journalism students. <br /><br />Because, let\'s face it, journalism students need all the help - monetarily and otherwise - that they can get. Not that I would know anything about that.<br /><br />The show hits the stage in <a href=\"http://www.tulsapac.com/\">the Liddy Doenges Theatre in the Tulsa Performing Arts Center</a>, 110 E. Second Street, March 12. The second show is March 13. Tickets are $25 for general admission seats. You can sit up front and close to the action at a cabaret table for $50. Tickets are available at the Tulsa PAC and Reasor\'s locations all the way up until showtime.<br /><br />If you\'re hungry for a preview, get to <a href=\"http://tulsapressclub.com/\">the Tulsa Press Club</a>, in the Atlas Life Building (you know, <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/article.asp?aID=26619129.9834806.633672.43902802.772323.174&amp;aID2=48735\">the one being remodeled as a Courtyard Hotel</a>) at Fifth Street and Boston Avenue, Wednesday evening from 5:30-7pm for <a href=\"http://tulsapressclub.com/articles/article.cfm?id=19\">“That’s Funny!” the Tulsa Gridiron Sneak Preview and One-Night Ticket Stimulus Extravaganza</a>.<br /><br />This is your chance to see a live, musical performance from the show. It\'s also when you can snag exclusive, one-night deals on tickets to the 77th Tulsa Gridiron show. <br /><br /><b>Tiger Woods Special</b>. Get general admission tix at the group discount price - that\'s $20 per ticket, or $5 off the regular price -  when you bring hard copy of any news story, blog post or headline featuring Tiger Woods.<br /><br /><b>City of Tulsa Hardship Special</b>. City employees, God bless \'em, get a discount on cabaret seating, tickets that are regularly $50 per. Current (or recently former) employees of the City of Tulsa are eligible for the price, which is $75 for two. <br /><br /><b>VIP Wine and Friends Special</b>. Buy a VIP cabaret table Wednesday night and get an additional bottle of wine at the table and two general admission tickets for the same performance. <br /><br /><b>The Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin Experience x2</b>. Here\'s a funny thing: Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin will be in Tulsa the same day as the March 13 performance of Gridiron. If you have tickets to that tea party of tea parties and you bring it to the Press Club tomorrow night, you get a deal on a cabaret-table seat for the show. Just show your advance-purchase ticket or receipt for the Beck/Palin show and get $10 off a cabaret seat for the March 12 or 13 performance. <br /><br />You can count on \"Glenn\" and \"Sarah\" being on stage at the Tulsa Gridiron performance, too. You can also count on \"Sarah\" wearing a kevlar vest. \"Sarah\" hears the real Sarah is quite a shot. <br /><br />Here\'s another bonus: If you\'re a member of the Tulsa Press Club, you\'re eligible for an extra goody. Your name is entered for a special drawing for a Flip Mino camcorder if you buy your Tulsa Gridiron tickets tomorrow night. <br /><br />To steer clear of the hotel construction going on near the Press Club, enter through the lobby doors on Boston. You might just get to use the intercom. Don\'t be shy - the folks at the Press Club will buzz you right in.<br /><br />I know that the preview isn\'t until Wednesday night. That\'s several, many, lots of hours from now. So, I\'m going to give you a preview right now. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4402469822/\" title=\"Tulsa Gridiron by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Gridiron\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2794/4402469822_6067511dd0.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />See the blonde? That\'s Kerry Malone. Kerry is producing the 2010 Gridiron. She\'s also director of communications at <a href=\"http://williams.com/\">Williams</a> - you know, that $19 billion oil and gas company for which the largest skyscraper in Tulsa is named.<br /><br />Kerry is kind of a big deal. <br /><br />The lovely lady receiving a swine flu vaccination at the hands of Ms. Malone is none other than Rebecca Ungerman, kick-ass blues and jazz singer extraordinaire and director of this year\'s Gridiron. <a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/\">Did you know Rebecca was named Best Female Vocalist by Urban Tulsa Weekly at its 2009 Absolute Best Music Awards</a>? It\'s true. She was. <br /><br />Rebecca Ungerman, too, is kind of a big deal. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4402470196/\" title=\"Tulsa Gridiron by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Gridiron\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4402470196_2b60eddab2.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />This lovely lady is Sharon King Davis. She made her Tulsa Gridiron debut in 2008 when she sang about Tulsa’s rusty centennial gem, the Belevedere – the buried car. <a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1628272520070616\">She exhumed the car herself as chairwoman of the Tulsarama Commission in 2007</a>.<br /><br />That Sharon helped to make a parody of her own pet project is so Gridiron.<br /><br />Did I mention also that Sharon King Davis is a diva? Did I say anything about her smooth, strong, velvety voice? Did I mention, too, that she\'s always an absolute peach? <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4401705853/\" title=\"Tulsa Gridiron by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Gridiron\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4401705853_812792699a.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Well, she is. It is. And she is. She can sing about Tulsa\'s snowy weather with the best of \'em.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4402470622/\" title=\"Tulsa Gridiron by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Gridiron\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4402470622_9c11cc9f87.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />There in the middle is Pam Van Dyke. She\'s a great jazz singer, of course, but she can also crack you up without even trying. <br /><br />Pam is hilarious. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4402470848/\" title=\"Tulsa Gridiron by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Gridiron\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4402470848_67b124309c.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Hi, Bob (Hendrick - you know, one Tulsa\'s original Forever Plaid). Hi, Randy (Krehbiel, a byline you know from <a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/\">Tulsa World</a>; he\'s also chair of the Gridiron trust and our chief author). <br /><br />Randy is also very, very good at texting. Just so you know.<br /><br />These...<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4402469714/\" title=\"Tulsa Gridiron by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Gridiron\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2682/4402469714_1bc89b34b6.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />are attached to Meredith Lee Weger.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4402469618/\" title=\"Tulsa Gridiron by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Gridiron\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2765/4402469618_2b969b6081.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Meredith owns Theatre Arts, Inc. She also has something to say about Tulsa\'s own battle of the car dealers\' daughters. <br /><br />To know what, you\'re just going to have to buy tickets to this year\'s Gridiron. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3872699461/\" title=\"The KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2512/3872699461_6d5a203fb2.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />We all know this man as <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/joekelley\">Joe Kelley, host of the KRMG Morning News</a>. It\'s a good thing his favorite word is <a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interlocutor\">interlocutor</a>, because this year\'s Tulsa Gridiron, that\'s exactly what he\'ll be. <br /><br />We Gridiron folks, we\'re a big, fun bunch. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4402470918/\" title=\"Tulsa Gridiron by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Gridiron\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2739/4402470918_4f8d540eee.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />And we\'re ready to help you laugh about everything from the state of Tulsa\'s streets to what\'s up with Don\'t Ask Don\'t Tell to what\'s shakin\' with Sarah Palin. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4401705245/\" title=\"Tulsa Gridiron by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Gridiron\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4401705245_76520cb5d1.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />You can\'t claim to be a news junkie and miss this show. It just ain\'t fittin\'.<br /><br />To be kept apprised of Tulsa Gridiron updates, be sure to follow along on Twitter (<a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/tulsa_gridiron\">@tulsa_gridiron</a>), on Facebook (<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tulsagridiron\">http://www.facebook.com/tulsagridiron</a>) and <a href=\"http://www.tulsagridiron.org/\">on the Web at http://www.tulsagridiron.org</a>.<br /><br />And stay tuned right here at <a href=\"http://TashaDoesTulsa.com/\">TashaDoesTulsa.com</a>&nbsp;- there\'s more Gridiron fun soon to come.<br /><br />P.S. - That rhymed. I\'m sorry.','Time for Tulsa Gridiron','','publish','open','open','','ive-heard-it-said-time-or-two-that-i','','','2010-03-03 04:30:00','2010-03-03 04:30:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=480',0,'post','',1),(481,1,'2010-03-04 02:45:00','2010-03-04 02:45:00','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4405581148/\" title=\"Waterworks by Brigid by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Waterworks by Brigid\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4405581148_769a006c6c.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<i>Are you ready for a guest post, lovely TDT readers? Thanks to </i><a href=\"http://www.greyeyedesigns.com/Site/Welcome.html\"><i>Brigid Vance, the mind behind my favorite local jewelry company, Grey Eye Designs</i></a><i>, and member of <a href=\"http://tulsacraftmafia.com/\">the Tulsa Craft Mafia</a>, a post of her very own expert writing is about to get start right about...now.</i>\r\n\r\nAt 5’3”, I’m almost too diminutive for the pottery wheel. My arms aren’t quite strong enough to overpower a large mound of clay, and my hands are a bit delicate to endure the scraping of the metal wheel as I attempt to transform a two-pound, wet mass of earth into a mug for my morning tea. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->Luckily, I didn’t know any of this before I paid my $100 class fee.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4404819619/\" title=\"Waterworks by Brigid by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Waterworks by Brigid\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4404819619_5cc0bc5812.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nPottery has always fascinated me. It seems impossible that a spinning disc, a lump of clay and two human hands could work together in harmony to create a bowl or a pitcher or a vase. <em>It’s like magic!</em>, as the materials I received in the mail from WaterWorks said. Yet, once you know what you’re doing, it’s a magic trick you can accomplish every time.\r\n\r\nI first discovered <a href=\"http://www.cityoftulsa.org/culture--recreation/tulsa-parks/waterworks-art-center.aspx\">WaterWorks Art Studio</a>, the City of Tulsa’s very own haven for artists and wannabes, as a lowly newspaper reporter in need of some art to fill her now-defunct section of the paper. A brief photo assignment brought me in the door of the center on Charles Page Boulevard, not far from my alma mater but not an area I ever explored much. A year later, I took my first class there, Kyle Peaden’s metalsmithing class. There I learned from a dreamy eyed, handsome young man how to take sheets of sterling silver or copper and some solder to make rings, bracelets and pendants. Oh, and I got to use a torch. At what other time would any thinking person brandish little ol’ me with something that shoots fire?\r\n\r\nIt is now Week 7 of Joe Staskal’s pottery class. \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4405578152/\" title=\"Waterworks by Brigid by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Waterworks by Brigid\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4405578152_ef57f05df5.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nJoe is quite an accomplished potter and owner of Fat City Clay, which you’ve probably encountered at area craft shows and <a href=\"http://www.cherrystreetfarmersmarket.com/\">the Cherry Street Farmers Market</a> (returning bigger and better April 10 – yay!). He’s also a fantastic, hilarious teacher who tells you how it should be done and then lets you screw up piece after piece in your own specific way. He is always on hand, though, to give you a lesson, encouragement and a heckle when needed, often all at the same time.  Almost every class, we all leave with something in the pottery closet, however lumpy or misshapen it is, to finish off the next time.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4404816401/\" title=\"Waterworks by Brigid by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Waterworks by Brigid\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4404816401_57892ee4b6.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4405580250/\" title=\"Waterworks by Brigid by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Waterworks by Brigid\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4405580250_3b398b97f9.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAt $100 for eight weeks (and another $25 for supplies), the class is a steal. That is pretty much the modus operandi at WaterWorks. The variety of classes is staggering: drawing, oil painting, wheel and coil pottery, metalsmithing, making jewelry from precious metal, clay, mosaics, fiber arts, and more. Many classes for the Winter/Spring session are currently in session, but many others begin this month (including a couple of one-day classes I’m taking: Soy Wax Batik and the Patchwork Doll of Oz). \r\n\r\nFor a brochure of WaterWorks classes and for even more information about WaterWorks Art Studio, visit <a href=\"http://www.cityoftulsa.org/culture--recreation/tulsa-parks/waterworks-art-center.aspx\">this page on the City of Tulsa Web site</a>. <a href=\"http://www.cityoftulsa.org/culture--recreation/tulsa-parks/waterworks-art-center.aspx\">For more information on WaterWorks, check them out on the Web</a> or call (918) 596-2440.\r\n\r\n<strong>WaterWorks Art Studio</strong>\r\nWhere: 1710 Charles Page Boulevard\r\nWhen: <a href=\"http://www.cityoftulsa.org/culture--recreation/tulsa-parks/waterworks-art-center.aspx\">See class schedule/open studio hours</a>\r\nCall: (918) 596-2440\r\nWeb: <a href=\"http://www.cityoftulsa.org/culture--recreation/tulsa-parks/waterworks-art-center.aspx\">CityofTulsa.org</a> (direct link)','On WaterWorks Art Studio','Pottery has always fascinated me. It seems impossible that a spinning disc, a lump of clay and two human hands could work together in harmony to create a bowl or a pitcher or a vase.','publish','open','open','','waterworks-art-studio','','','2010-11-05 15:00:12','2010-11-05 20:00:12','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=481',0,'post','',15),(483,1,'2010-03-07 22:45:00','2010-03-07 22:45:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Park Day by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4414459661/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4414459661_afebcc9f14.jpg\" alt=\"Park Day\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nOne of the (many) cars I drove before I turned 20 was my mom\'s Jeep Wrangler.\r\n\r\n<a name=\"more\"></a>The first thing I did when she handed me the keys was dig an aged cantaloupe (no, this isn\'t some gourmet food item you\'ve never heard about) out of the fridge, place it strategically in the middle of our street and run it over at a high rate of speed with my new wheels, sending rotten melon bits into both ditches and my smile from ear to ear.\r\n\r\nI did a lot of other fun things in that Jeep, too, including jumping curbs  and parking lots on my college campus and things I\'ll wait about 25 more years before telling my mother about.\r\n\r\nI\'ve been driving for more than 10 years now (though not the Jeep, for which I\'m sure my mom is thankful), but I never grew out of my naughty streak.\r\n\r\nHaving a two-year-old in my life does nothing to quell my love of mischief.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Park Day by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4414461229/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2723/4414461229_d1d0042749.jpg\" alt=\"Park Day\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\nOne of the greatest toys a mischief-loving parent (or, in this case, great-grandparent) can give her mischief-loving child is a remote-control car.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Park Day by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4414461115/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4414461115_6b21ebff96.jpg\" alt=\"Park Day\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\nWhen we went to the park today, he didn\'t want to play with it on the sidewalk like any sensible child would. Um, no. He wanted to take with him as he climbed the big toy...\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Park Day by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4414460955/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4414460955_f70ca1a927.jpg\" alt=\"Park Day\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nAnd made a beeline for the slide.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Park Day by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4414461027/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4414461027_a47381144c.jpg\" alt=\"Park Day\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Park Day by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4415228344/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4415228344_8b9a82f3be.jpg\" alt=\"Park Day\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Park Day by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4414460539/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2696/4414460539_0460873a62.jpg\" alt=\"Park Day\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Park Day by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4414460701/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2688/4414460701_431447db43.jpg\" alt=\"Park Day\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Park Day by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4414460329/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4414460329_8fcd4d54f5.jpg\" alt=\"Park Day\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nThe naughtiness, it is strong with this one.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Park Day by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4415227964/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4415227964_1c60c9f866.jpg\" alt=\"Park Day\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nSometimes, though I\'m pretty sure it\'s just a chip off the old block, the naughtiness streak is too much for me to handle. Not when the kid puts his remote control car down the slide - that\'s pretty funny to me, actually - but rather when he\'s staging a sit-in at the grocery store because I won\'t buy him a box of White Castle burgers (who does that??) or running through the house stark naked and laughing hysterically when I\'m trying to wrangle him into the bathtub, stopping only to pee in the floor. When I tell my mom about his antics she likes to say things like, gee, that sounds familiar or that paybacks are a you-know-what.\r\n\r\nWhich makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Park Day by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4415227348/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4415227348_3a1a292495_o.jpg\" alt=\"Park Day\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a></div>\r\nBut, shoot.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Park Day by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4415309884/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2780/4415309884_a8541e4513.jpg\" alt=\"Park Day\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nWith this guy, it sure is tough to stay fed-up for long.','Pass It On','','publish','open','open','','pass-it-on','','','2010-10-13 07:55:53','2010-10-13 12:55:53','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=483',0,'post','',7),(2950,1,'2011-03-09 15:32:22','2011-03-09 21:32:22','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Route 66 in East Tulsa, Oklahoma by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399592540/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4399592540_2e17920699.jpg\" alt=\"Route 66 in East Tulsa, Oklahoma\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\n\nOne of my top tips for getting to know your town, <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/know-your-town/\">whether it\'s Tulsa or Timbuktu</a>, is to swear off highways.\n\nRoute 66 is one huge exception to this rule.\n\n<!--more-->\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate group=\"2\" banner=\"8\"]</p>\n\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Route 66 in East Tulsa, Oklahoma by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399592450/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2782/4399592450_6fc3797a26.jpg\" alt=\"Route 66 in East Tulsa, Oklahoma\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\n\nYesterday morning my little family hopped into our little car to run some errands, hopefully to be rewarded with a free trip to Philbrook Museum (Philbrook hosts a Free Family Day the second Saturday of each month). \n\nAfter two measly errands, though, our two-year-old was asleep in the backseat. Out like a light. \n\nWhile we love a visit to Philbrook, it\'s not on the list of reasons for which we\'d dare disturb the slumber of our son. Imminent danger, perhaps. Armageddon, maybe. A life-sized replica of Lightning McQueen from the movie Cars, should we find one day it exists, yes.\n\nBut a visit to a quiet, echo chamber of a museum? Absolutely freaking not.\n\nSo, instead, we hit the road - <a href=\"http://www.michaelwallis.com/\">the Mother Road</a>.\n\nWhile I know Route 66 relatively well when it comes to west Tulsa and Sapulpa, I knew next to nothing about the treasures it holds on the east side of town. Since my husband spent a lot of time in that part of town when he first came to Oklahoma from his native state of Arkansas, he was nice enough to show me a thing or two about what I\'d been missing.\n\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826675/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4398826675_88eacfaeed.jpg\" alt=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399593466/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4399593466_ff80acaf75.jpg\" alt=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826853/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4398826853_054d6ea345.jpg\" alt=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\n<a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Section?oid=oid%3A14781&amp;category=oid%3A27582\">I like to think I know where to find a bargain, especially here in Tulsa</a>. How is it, then, that I\'ve managed to miss Admiral Flea Market? I mean, I knew it was there. I just had no idea what a hot spot it could be on a Sunday afternoon.\n\nMe thinks I need to follow my own advice a little more often.\n\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826947/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4398826947_e6af73a652.jpg\" alt=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399593728/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/4399593728_f58511fe74.jpg\" alt=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\n\nSomething that\'s easy to love about Route 66 are the roadside signs. The neon ones get a lot of love, but the other types are fun, too.\n\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Oasis Motel on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826579/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4398826579_c6d880d947.jpg\" alt=\"Oasis Motel on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Oasis Motel on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399593164/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4399593164_2246862689.jpg\" alt=\"Oasis Motel on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"America\'s Value Inn on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826375/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2770/4398826375_c949af94d7.jpg\" alt=\"America\'s Value Inn on Route 66\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\n\nCheck it out: the He\'s Not Here Sports Bar.\n\nImagine: *ring ring* \"Hello? He\'s Not Here.\"\n\nClassic.\n\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Daylight Donuts on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398825975/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4398825975_1a6c5cc7a8.jpg\" alt=\"Daylight Donuts on Route 66\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Daylight Donuts on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399592770/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2779/4399592770_9e37985d3e.jpg\" alt=\"Daylight Donuts on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\n\nI told my husband while we were driving that one could easily start a blog about Route 66 roadside signs. Or Route 66 tattoo/piercing parlors - there are as many as one per block along certain stretches of Tulsa\'s slice of the Mother Road.\n\nHotels and motels, too.\n\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Brookshire Motel on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826263/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4398826263_8718999d9c.jpg\" alt=\"Brookshire Motel on Route 66\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Brookshire Motel on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826173/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4398826173_e7b52478f3.jpg\" alt=\"Brookshire Motel on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\n\nThen, there\'s this place.\n\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"East Central High School on Route 66 in Tulsa, Oklahoma by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399592340/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2756/4399592340_e4957cfaab.jpg\" alt=\"East Central High School on Route 66 in Tulsa, Oklahoma\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\n\nThat\'s East Central High School, one of the most interesting school buildings in T-Town. <a href=\"http://www.willrogershighschool.com/alumni/history.php\">Will Rogers High School</a> is great in all of its art deco splendor, but East Central is pretty fabulous, too, if you ask me. \n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Route 66 in East Tulsa, Oklahoma by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399592540/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4399592540_2e17920699.jpg\" alt=\"Route 66 in East Tulsa, Oklahoma\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\nSomething I wish I had known when I was younger is exactly how much fun it is to cruise Route 66 as it winds and meanders around town. It passes through parts of my old stomping grounds in Sapulpa, which makes me wonder why none of the boys I dated in high school were clever enough to take me out on a Route 66-themed drive. Or a Route 66-themed date, even.\n\nI guess that\'s why I married the guy with all the good ideas.\n\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"LaFortune Park by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4100931155/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2539/4100931155_4b80874191.jpg\" alt=\"LaFortune Park\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\n\nWhat are your favorite stops along Tulsa\'s stretch of Route 66?\n\nThis post was originally','Tulsa According to Route 66','While I know Route 66 relatively well when it comes to west Tulsa and Sapulpa, I knew next to nothing about the treasures it holds on the east side of town.','inherit','open','open','','479-autosave','','','2011-03-09 15:32:22','2011-03-09 21:32:22','',479,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/479-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6799,1,'2010-10-13 08:03:39','2010-10-13 13:03:39','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Route 66 in East Tulsa, Oklahoma by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399592540/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4399592540_2e17920699.jpg\" alt=\"Route 66 in East Tulsa, Oklahoma\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\nOne of my top tips for getting to know your town, <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/know-your-town/\">whether it\'s Tulsa or Timbuktu</a>, is to swear off highways.\r\n\r\nRoute 66 is one huge exception to this rule.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate group=\"2\" banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Route 66 in East Tulsa, Oklahoma by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399592450/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2782/4399592450_6fc3797a26.jpg\" alt=\"Route 66 in East Tulsa, Oklahoma\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\nYesterday morning my little family hopped into our little car to run some errands, hopefully to be rewarded with <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/PhilbrookMuseum/posts/335648639525\">a free trip to Philbrook Museum at the end</a>. After two measly errands, though, our two-year-old was asleep like the baby he is proud to say he no longer is in the backseat.\r\n\r\nWhile we love a visit to Philbrook, it\'s not on the list of reasons for which we\'d dare disturb the slumber of our son. Imminent danger, perhaps. Armageddon, maybe. A life-sized statue of Lightning McQueen from the movie Cars, should we find one day it exists, yes.\r\n\r\nBut a visit to a quiet museum that\'s prone to echo? Absolutely freaking not.\r\n\r\nSo, instead, we hit the road - <a href=\"http://www.michaelwallis.com/\">the Mother Road</a>.\r\n\r\nWhile I know Route 66 relatively well when it comes to west Tulsa and Sapulpa, I knew next to nothing about the treasures it holds on the east side of town. Since my husband spent a lot of time in that part of town when he first came to Oklahoma from his native state of Arkansas, he was nice enough to show me a thing or two about what I\'d been missing.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826675/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4398826675_88eacfaeed.jpg\" alt=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399593466/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4399593466_ff80acaf75.jpg\" alt=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826853/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4398826853_054d6ea345.jpg\" alt=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Section?oid=oid%3A14781&amp;category=oid%3A27582\">I like to think I know where to find a bargain, especially here in Tulsa</a>. How is it, then, that I\'ve managed to miss Admiral Flea Market? I mean, I knew it was there. I just had no idea what a hot spot it could be on a Sunday afternoon.\r\n\r\nMe thinks I need to follow <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2007_04_22_archive.htm\">my own advice</a> a little more often.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826947/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4398826947_e6af73a652.jpg\" alt=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399593728/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/4399593728_f58511fe74.jpg\" alt=\"Admiral Flea Market on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\nSomething that\'s easy to love about Route 66 are the roadside signs. The neon ones get a lot of love, but the other types are fun, too.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Oasis Motel on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826579/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4398826579_c6d880d947.jpg\" alt=\"Oasis Motel on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Oasis Motel on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399593164/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4399593164_2246862689.jpg\" alt=\"Oasis Motel on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"America\'s Value Inn on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826375/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2770/4398826375_c949af94d7.jpg\" alt=\"America\'s Value Inn on Route 66\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nCheck it out: the He\'s Not Here Sports Bar.\r\n\r\nImagine: *ring ring* \"Hello, He\'s Not Here?\"\r\n\r\nClassic.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Daylight Donuts on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398825975/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4398825975_1a6c5cc7a8.jpg\" alt=\"Daylight Donuts on Route 66\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Daylight Donuts on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399592770/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2779/4399592770_9e37985d3e.jpg\" alt=\"Daylight Donuts on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\nI told my husband while we were driving that one could easily start a blog about Route 66 roadside signs. Or Route 66 tattoo/piercing parlors - there are as many as one per block along certain stretches of the Mother Road.\r\n\r\nOr, Route 66 hotels and motels.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Brookshire Motel on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826263/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4398826263_8718999d9c.jpg\" alt=\"Brookshire Motel on Route 66\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Brookshire Motel on Route 66 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4398826173/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4398826173_e7b52478f3.jpg\" alt=\"Brookshire Motel on Route 66\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\nThen, there\'s this place.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"East Central High School on Route 66 in Tulsa, Oklahoma by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399592340/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2756/4399592340_e4957cfaab.jpg\" alt=\"East Central High School on Route 66 in Tulsa, Oklahoma\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nThat\'s East Central High School, one of the most interesting school buildings in T-Town. <a href=\"http://www.willrogershighschool.com/alumni/history.php\">Will Rogers High School</a> is great in all of its art deco splendor, but East Central is interesting, too.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Route 66 in East Tulsa, Oklahoma by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4399592540/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4399592540_2e17920699.jpg\" alt=\"Route 66 in East Tulsa, Oklahoma\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nSomething I wish I had known when I was younger is exactly how much fun it is to cruise Route 66 as it winds and meanders around town. It passes through parts of my old stomping grounds in Sapulpa, which makes me wonder why none of the boys I dated in high school were clever enough to take me out on a Route 66-themed drive. Or a Route 66-themed date, even.\r\n\r\nI guess that\'s why I married the guy with all the good ideas.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"LaFortune Park by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4100931155/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2539/4100931155_4b80874191.jpg\" alt=\"LaFortune Park\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nAnd the best back of the neck in the history of mankind. And the best back of other things, too, but this is a family blog I\'m trying to run here.\r\n\r\nWhat are your favorite stops along Tulsa\'s stretch of Route 66?','Tulsa According to Route 66','While I know Route 66 relatively well when it comes to west Tulsa and Sapulpa, I knew next to nothing about the treasures it holds on the east side of town.','inherit','open','open','','479-revision-3','','','2010-10-13 08:03:39','2010-10-13 13:03:39','',479,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/479-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(484,1,'2010-03-08 15:20:00','2010-03-08 15:20:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3520548563/\" title=\"Woodward Park by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Woodward Park\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3613/3520548563_ce3c097b1c.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Spring is about to, well, spring. You know what that means: Spring Break is upon us.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>It\'s been said that Spring Break is the black hole of parenting. Not only do you have to find things for a house full of spring-feverish kids to do all day long for an entire week, but a lot of times, you have to pay out the wazoo to do it, too.<br /><br />Not this Spring Break. Read below for a list of things for kids to do in Tulsa this Spring Break that won\'t break the bank. <br /><br />I\'ve also included a few of the best Spring Break camps available in the Tulsa area as well, and though you\'ll certainly need more skrill for these than what you spend putting them on a school bus every day for a week, each holds the opportunity for the teaching of invaluable life skills - we\'re talking everything art appreciation to that all-important exercise habit to perhaps best of all for parents, how to cook dinner, eggshells not included. <br /><br />Be sure to check in over at <a href=\"http://www.ttownmoms.com/\">Ttownmoms.com for even more ideas about how to stay busy in northeast Oklahoma this Spring Break</a>, including a new craft to make with your kids every day of the break, starting Monday.<br /><br /><b>Drop-Ins and One-Time Parties</b><br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4109884404/\" title=\"Philbrook Museum Gardens by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Philbrook Museum Gardens\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2677/4109884404_291e7acc9c.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br /><b>Spring Fling at Tulsa Zoo</b><br />When: Friday, March 12, 4-7pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://www.tulsazoo.org/\">Tulsa Zoo</a>, 5701 E. 36th Street North<br />Looking for inflatables, a wall for rock climbing, arts and crafts, a dance floor and animal friends to kick off Spring Break this year? Look no further than Tulsa Zoo on the very day the kids are released from school and into the wild. Plus, look for food from 20 of Tulsa\'s family-friendly restaurants. Cost is $12, or $10 for members. Kids under 2 get in free. <br /><br /><b>Spring Break Drop-In Workshops</b><br />When: Tuesday, March 16; Wednesday, March 17 Thursday, March 18, 1-4pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://www.philbrook.org/\">Philbrook Museum</a>, 2727 S. Rockford Ave. <br />Why not spend your spring break at Philbrook? Tour the galleries and create art with your family in one of these drop-in workshops. Pick a day and pop in or stay the entire time for some free family fun. Yes, I said free. Free! <br /><br /><b>Bradini the Illusionist at Tulsa Air and Space Museum</b><br />When: 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm Monday, March 15-Friday, March 19<br />Where: <a href=\"http://www.tulsaairandspacemuseum.com/\">Tulsa Air and Space Museum</a>, 3624 North 74th East Avenue<br />Be amazed by the science-based illusions by Bradini. Illusions, comedy, live animals and audience participation make this a go-to place for fun this Spring Break. Look for Bradini in the Planetarium.<br /><br /><b>Tulsa Festival de Films: A Town Called Panic</b><br />When: Friday, March 19-March 25<br />Where: <a href=\"http://www.circlecinema.com/\">Circle Cinema</a>, 12 S. Lewis Ave. <br />The madcap misadventures of Cowboy, Indian and Horse continue in this feature film from the creators of the Belgian TV series of the same name. The first stop-motion film event to be selected for the Cannes Film Festival, a lighthearted and wacky romp, it is sure to entertain the child in (and with) each of us. <br /><br /><br /><b>All Week Long</b><br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3465778506/\" title=\"Golden Turtle at Tulsa Zoo by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Golden Turtle at Tulsa Zoo\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3465778506_2512f301e1.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br /><b>Chandler Park Community Center Spring Break Camp (Ages 6-12)</b><br />When: Monday-Friday, March 15-19<br />Where: Chandler Park, 6500 W. 21st Street<br />Nestled in my old stomping grounds, Chandler Park features 192 acres of wooded area with open space, great natural beauty and panoramic views of Tulsa and Sand Springs. Plus, there\'s tons of fun for kids. Cost is $30. Before and after care are available for an extra fee. PER DAY? CALL CHANDLER, 591-6053<br /><br /><b>Spring Break Camp: Stories in Art (Ages K-2nd Grade)</b><br />When: Monday-Friday, March 15-19, 9am-4:30pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://www.gilcrease.org/\">Gilcrease Museum</a>, 1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Road<br />Each object in the Gilcrease collection has a story. Students will visit several different galleries in the museum to learn about these stories before making their own art work based on what they\'ve seen, from ceramic masks to Milagro charm bracelets to beadwork and puppet making. Cost is $125, or $100 for members. Extended hours are available for an extra charge.<br /><br /><b>Spring Break Camp: The Making of Gilcrease (Ages 3rd-5th Grade)</b><br />When: Monday-Friday, March 15-19, 9am-4:30pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://www.gilcrease.org/\">Gilcrease Museum</a>, 1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Road<br />Have you ever wondered about the stories behind the place, the things and the people at Gilcrease Museum? Set your kids free to explore the makings of this world-class museum as they create storybooks, sculptures, stamps and more. Cost is $125, or $100 for members. Extended hours are available for an extra charge. <br /><br /><b>Spring Break Soccer Camp</b><br />When: March 15-19, 10am-noon<br />Where: <a href=\"http://www.soccercitytulsa.com/\">SoccerCity</a>, 5817 S. 118th E. Ave. <br />Spring Break isn\'t an excuse to veg out in front of Spongebob for an entire week. Get the kids moving at SoccerCity. Cost is $95 for the week and kids aged 4 to 15 are welcome. Call (918) 249-0044.<br /><br /><b>Spring Break Seacamp</b><br />When: March 15-19, 9am-4pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://www.okaquarium.org/\">Oklahoma Aquarium</a>, 300 Aquarium Drive<br />Give boredom the wave this Spring Break with the SeaCamp at Oklahoma Aquarium. Learn how animals adapt and change to survive and thrive in their environments - you know, just like the Transformers. For kids in K-5th grades. Cost is $250 per child. Extended care is available for an extra charge. Call (918) 528-1508 for more and to register.<br /><br /><b>Spring Break Camp at Tulsa Zoo</b><br />When: March 15-19, 9am-2pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://www.tulsazoo.org/\">Tulsa Zoo</a>, 5701 E. 36th Street North<br />This spring your child will learn about animal babies, animal behavior and the exciting field of zoo keeping!  With fun activities, games, crafts for the younger kids as well as animal encounters and exclusive behind the scenes opportunities for all!   Zoo Camp is the perfect place to spend spring break!  Please provide a sack lunch for your camper. Cost is $135, or $120 and under for Zoo members. Extended care is available for an extra charge.<br /><br /><b>Spring Break Cooking Camp</b><br />When: March 15-19, 8am-noon; March 15-19, 1-5pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://www.sageculinarystudio.com/\">Sage Culinary Studio</a>, 3746 S. Peoria Ave.<br />Is your child always asking to help with dinner? First, lucky you. Second, get him or her to Sage to hone those cooking skills this Spring Break. Campers will learn cooking hygiene and how to read and follow recipes. Campers will prepare 3-5 recipes per day, and the kiddos get to keep the recipe cards. Cooking camps are for kids aged 7-11. Cost is $275 for each camp. Visit Sage on the Web to register. <br /><br /><b>Create and Bounce Spring Art and Craft Camp</b><br />Where: <a href=\"http://www.bounceu.com/\">Bounce U Tulsa</a>, 8922 S. Memorial Drive<br />When: March 16-18, 9am-noon<br />Studies have shown that physical activity cultivates creativity. What better way to get active than to bounce? The kids can do that and more at this Spring Break camp, which combines exercise with time for arts and crafts. Cost is $65 for all three days, or $25 per day. Ages 4 and up are welcome.   <br /><br /><br /><b>Old Reliables</b><br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3827286875/\" title=\"Hardesty Regional Library by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Hardesty Regional Library\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/3827286875_490c3263f5.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br /><b>Any Tulsa City-County Library Location, Any Time</b><br />When: 24/7<br />Where: <a href=\"http://www.tulsalibrary.org/about/locations.php\">All over the Tulsa area</a><br />On any given day one can open the Tulsa Library Web site and find more classes and storytimes and activities for kids of a variety of ages than there\'s time for. The best way to get a list of these events is to visit the <a href=\"http://www.tulsalibrary.org/eventguide\">event guide at TulsaLibrary.org</a>. I\'m not here to reinvent the wheel, I just want to point you to it.<br /><br /><b>Tulsa Air and Space Museum</b><br />When: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday, 1-5pm<br />Where: <a href=\"http://www.tulsaairandspacemuseum.com/\">3624 N. 74th E. Avenue</a><br />Tulsa Air and Space Museum knows how to do Spring Break right. See the new Rocket Racing League Exhibit, a military aircraft fly-in, a science-based illusions show (see the bit about Bradini above), a mechanical physics exhibit and a mobile science museum. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for kids aged 4-12 and free for those three and under.<br /><br /><b>Purple Glaze,</b> 3303 S. Peoria Ave. and 6528 E. 91st Street. What\'s more fun than making a mess with your kids? Making a mess with your kids that you don\'t have to clean up, duh. Head to Purple Glaze to pick out your favorite ceramic. Spend the afternoon painting or tiling it, just the way you like. Leave it behind until after the weekend and, voila, a one-of-a-kind commemoration of the day it was too cool for school. Hours are 11am-9pm Thursday and Friday, with the Brookside location staying open until 10pm Friday night. Studio fee is $6; pottery prices include the ceramic, paints, glaze and firing.<br /><br /><b>Kaleidoscope Children\'s Museum</b>, 6202 S. Sheridan Road. If you couldn\'t get your kids not to touch delicate pieces of art to save your life, Kaleidoscope just might be the place for you. It\'s a hands-on kind of museum, with plenty of encouragement for your kids to do some learning about art and science. Who said a day off from school has to mean a day off from learning? Hours are 10am-3pm. Admission is $5, and kids under 2 get in free.<br /><br /><b>Gardner\'s Used Books</b>, 4221 S. Mingo Road. Have I mentioned that I love this place? Yes? Well, I\'m going to say it again. This is one of our favorite spots when the weather doesn\'t permit our craziness outdoors. There\'s plenty of space for young kids to toddle, tons of books, music, comics and toys to keep older kids busy, and no one really cares if your brood gets a little rambunctious. Plus, there are two great restaurants right next door, including Gatsby\'s Grill. Yum.<br /><br /><b>Lunch.</b> If while you\'re out and about when those little tummies start to growl, feel free to use my short list of indie lunch spots that are welcoming to young kids and their families (several of these even offer toys to keep the kids happy while the food\'s a cookin\'): Joe Mommas downtown (complete with old-school video games); Cosmo Cafe on Brookside; Elote Cafe &amp; Catering; Brewburger; Crusty Croissant; Dilly Deli; Kupcakz (maybe for dessert - or, if you\'re like me, maybe for lunch); The Brook (both Midtown and South); and Hideaway Pizza.','What to Do in Tulsa For Kids This Spring Break','','publish','open','open','','what-to-do-in-tulsa-for-kids-this','','','2010-03-08 15:20:00','2010-03-08 15:20:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=484',0,'post','',6),(485,1,'2010-03-08 23:25:00','2010-03-08 23:25:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4402379097/\" title=\"2010 Tulsa Gridiron Cast by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"2010 Tulsa Gridiron Cast\" height=\"415\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4402379097_52020f5a4d.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Secret-agent Ray Bans.&nbsp;\"Exploding\" underwear. Clip-on, Sarah Palin-style bangs. What do these things have in common? They\'re all props in <a href=\"http://tulsagridiron.org/\">Tulsa Gridiron 2010: Dewey Dare? Or, Laughter is the Best Public Option</a>.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>The show, a musical and theatrical skewering of anything and everything that\'s been been fit to print over the course of the past year, hits the stage this Friday at 8pm. The second show time is Saturday night, 8pm.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/03/ive-heard-it-said-time-or-two-that-i.html\">The all-star cast is reason enough to drop everything you\'re doing, hop online or get on the phone and snag a few tickets to this show</a>. The show also happens to be for a great cause. Many a journalism student - contrary to popular belief, they can\'t live on Ramen alone - is helped along thanks to funds generated by the Gridiron Trust.<br /><br />But, there\'s more. Tulsa Gridiron is a funny show. By \"funny\" I mean, really, really funny. The biggest part of what we do is sing covers of classic and popular songs that parody local and national news stories.<br /><br />For example, one of the songs in our script is called&nbsp;<b>Peace Prize</b>, and it\'s sung to the tune of J. Geils Band\'s Freeze Frame, only the best song to ever come out of 1982. Our own Darrel Christopher plays President Obama as he marvels at his prize-winning skills:<br /><br />Monday evening was O\'Reilly Factor<br />He said my peace prize blew his mind<br />Whole-hog Mid-East peace is hard to find<br />Norway trip, accept the Nobel Prize<br />Hand on heart, I don\'t know why it\'s mine<br />Chorus: Peace Prize! Peace Prize? Peace Prize! Peace Prize? Peace Prize!<br />What peace?<br /><br />Funny, right? I told you.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4402469714/\" title=\"Tulsa Gridiron by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Gridiron\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2682/4402469714_1bc89b34b6.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Another song is <b>Cheated on Elin</b>, sung to the tune of Hooked on a Feeling by Blue Swede. It\'s our Tiger-look-a-like\'s lament.<br /><br />With my nine-iron<br />In her arms so white<br />I guess she knows<br />Where I slept last night<br />Chrorus: I-I-I cheated on Elin<br />And so now I\'m bleeding<br />Backed straight into a tree<br /><br />A few other lady Gridiron actors and I may or may not be wearing next to nothing for this number since we\'ll be playing Tigers\' conquests. But you didn\'t hear that from me.<br /><br />A confident Mary Fallin takes the stage in <b>Let Me Be the Next in Line</b>, sung to the tune of \"Get Me to the Church on Time,\" which you should know from My Fair Lady.<br /><br />I\'ll be elected in November<br />Ding-Dong, this time I\'m gonna shine<br />Pull out the stopper, let\'s have a whopper<br />I\'m gonna be the next in line<br /><br />Oh, boy. Just wait until word on that one gets out.<br /><br />Oops. I guess it just did.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4402470622/\" title=\"Tulsa Gridiron by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Gridiron\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4402470622_9c11cc9f87.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><b>Vampires</b>, sung to the tune of \"You\'re Lookin\' at Country\" by Loretta Lynn, might be the only chance you\'ll get to see Sharon King Davis in a long, black wig. True to SKD style, she makes it look totally hott. And Bob Hendrick\'s gonna dress up like a teenage girl gone goth. A must-see, I assure you.<br /><br />Well I like my lovin\' done vampire style<br />And this little girl would walk a Transylvania mile<br />To find her a good ole, blood-drinkin\' vampire boy<br />I said a vampire boy<br />Yes, I\'m crazy \'bout bats and I\'m no liar<br />My personal hero is Stephanie Meyer<br />If you\'re looking for me, I\'m looking for vampires<br /><br />Muahahahaha.<br /><br />Then there\'s <b>Barakin\' Pneumonia, </b>sung to \"Rockin\' Pneumonia.\"<br /><br />Well the Congress wants to jump and shout<br />Massachusetts boy is creepin\' me out<br />Big Pharma\'s got me by the family jewels<br />I want Barack-in\' pneumonia and the public-option flu<br /><br />I think this is my favorite. We even get to sing about sties in this one.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4401705447/\" title=\"Tulsa Gridiron by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Gridiron\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2698/4401705447_f1a8312912.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Other hits on the Tulsa Gridiron 2010 soundtrack include:<br /><ul><li><b>Vaccination</b>, sung to the tune of, you guessed it, Celebration</li><li><b>Shut Up, Mr. Limbaugh</b>, sung to the tune of Wake Up Little Susie</li><li><b>Snowy Weather</b>, sung to the tune of Stormy Weather</li><li><b>You Strapped a Bomb in Briefs</b>, sung to the tune of You Dropped a Bomb on Me</li><li><b>My Baby Takes the IDL</b>, sung to the tune of My Baby Takes The Morning Train</li><li><b>Bring Back Our Fuzz</b>, to the tune of Seasons of Love from Rent</li></ul><div>Altogether we\'re singing more than 30 hilarious and totally irreverent songs, not to mention the saucy skits we\'ll perform. That\'s a lot of show for tickets starting at $25. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Here\'s what I recommend: <a href=\"http://www.tulsapac.com/calendar.asp?id=1334&amp;task=display\">Hit the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Web site and buy two general admission tickets</a>. Then, <b>scroll to the comments section of this post and type the title of one of the songs in the 2010 Tulsa Gridiron Show (hint: about a dozen of them are listed in this post) in the comments field to enter to win two seats at a Cabaret table</b>, the best seats in the house. You\'ll be in the middle of the action with two of those babies. Tickets will be good for either performance.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>This way, if you win the cabaret seating, you can hand the general admission tickets off to a deserving couple of souls. If you don\'t, you still have tickets to the show. It\'s a win-win situation.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I\'ll take entries until Wednesday (March 10) afternoon at 4pm. The random integer generator at Random.org will decide the winner. Feel free to grab extra entries by posting about Gridiron and/or this post on <a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/tashadoestulsa\">Twitter</a> and <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/tashadoestulsa\">Facebook</a> (just be sure to tag or @-reply me in the post so I can count it).&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Good luck!&nbsp;</div>','The Mystery That Is Tulsa Gridiron','','publish','open','open','','mystery-that-is-tulsa-gridiron','','','2010-03-08 23:25:00','2010-03-08 23:25:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=485',0,'post','',11),(486,1,'2010-03-09 21:06:00','2010-03-09 21:06:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4420932184/\" title=\"Sonic by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Sonic\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4420932184_afb18d4a67.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br /><a href=\"http://www.sonicdrivein.com/home.jsp\">Did you know that Sonic Drive-in is an Oklahoma company</a>? It\'s true. It\'s also the home of my favorite summer fountain drink, the Ocean Water. With notes of coconut and the smell of suntan lotion (don\'t knock it \'til you\'ve tried it), it makes for a nice, refreshing summertime pick-me-up. With the summer months approaching, I\'ve already started to anticipate my first sip of the season. <br /><br />Now that I\'ve told you my favorite Sonic fountain drink, I want to know yours. Thing is, <a href=\"http://www.sonicdrivein.com/menu/viewSection.do;jsessionid=ACAB930A4FFF6DF910FCEFF35DE240BA.sonic-prod?sectionId=436802\">at Sonic, it\'s tough to make up one\'s mind - there are hundreds of possible drink combinations available there</a>. Don\'t worry - I\'m here to help you find the Sonic drink intended for you.<br /><br />Simply take the quiz below to find your perfect Sonic Drink match-up. Not only will you find your match made in fountain drink heaven, but you\'ll also discover what your favorite drink concoction says about you. <br /><br />Ready? Set? Go!<br /><br /><b>1. When you get up in the morning, the first thing you do is: </b><br />A. Slowly lift your head from the pillow. You don\'t want to mess up a perfectly good bed-head. <br />B. Put on eyeliner. You\'d normally put on your heels, but you slept in them last night.<br />C. Powder your freckled nose and throw your hair into a ponytail.<br />D. Count the Q-tips in the bathroom door. Note that someone has been using more than their allotted daily Q-Tip allowance.<br />E. Fry up some bacon and locate your work boots. <br /><br /><a href=\"http://ttownmoms.com/?page=blogs/view&amp;BLID=7772\">To get the rest of the quiz and to share your results, visit my blog at Ttownmoms.com</a>.','QUIZ: What Your Favorite Sonic Drink Says About You','','publish','open','open','','quiz-what-your-favorite-sonic-drink','','','2010-03-09 21:06:00','2010-03-09 21:06:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=486',0,'post','',1),(487,1,'2010-03-10 22:45:00','2010-03-10 22:45:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4402469822/\" title=\"Tulsa Gridiron by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Gridiron\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2794/4402469822_6067511dd0.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />As you may know, <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/03/mystery-that-is-tulsa-gridiron.html\">I hosted a little contest earlier this week here on TDT</a>. At stake: Two tickets to Tulsa Gridiron, a 77-year-strong tradition in music, theater and lampooning of local and national news.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>Thanks to everyone who entered and took the time to answer my question about which Gridiron song most enticed you to see the show. It\'s interesting to learn what songs all of you are most looking forward to.<br /><br />Just as much as I think you\'ll enjoy the songs, I know you\'ll love the props and costumes. Oh, man. Just wait.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4402469618/\" title=\"Tulsa Gridiron by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Gridiron\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2765/4402469618_2b969b6081.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />While I enjoyed reading what each and every one of you had to say about your favorite songs, <a href=\"http://maggieorangeshirt.blogspot.com/\">the gods at Random.org were most pleased with Maggie today</a>. Congrats, Maggie! You just won two tickets to Friday or Saturday\'s performance of Tulsa Gridiron. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">E-mail me ASAP to claim your prize</a> and to let me know which night suits you best.<br /><br />Thanks to all for playing and I hope to see you at the show!','Going to Gridiron','','publish','open','open','','going-to-gridiron','','','2010-03-10 22:45:00','2010-03-10 22:45:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=487',0,'post','',0),(488,1,'2010-03-11 22:00:00','2010-03-12 04:00:00','<strong>UPDATE//</strong><a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/tag/st-patricks-day/\">Here\'s the 2011 list of things to do in Tulsa this St. Patrick\'s Day</a>.\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"McNellie\'s Sidebar by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3320762076/\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/3320762076_fbbcb92b19.jpg\" alt=\"McNellie\'s Sidebar\" width=\"500\" height=\"331\" /></a></div>\r\nSlainte!\r\n\r\n<a name=\"more\"></a>It\'s no secret that Tulsa knows how to party on St. Pat\'s. We have two of the largest St. Pat\'s celebrations in the state - one in the Blue Dome District downtown and the other not far away on Cherry Street - not to mention a host of other parties happening around town.\r\n\r\nWith the multitude of party destinations and green beer taps in the T-Town area, it\'s not hard to get confuzzled about where to go to make the most of your one-day pass with the luck of the Irish. See below for where to go for St. Pat\'s this year.\r\n\r\nAnd remember, T-Town - remember to drink responsibly. <a href=\"http://www.marshallbrewing.com/\">And locally</a>.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Marshall Brewing Company by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4191747686/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4191747686_36e9b59be0.jpg\" alt=\"Marshall Brewing Company\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n<strong>Irish Paws</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, March 13, 10:30am-12:30pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsaparks.com/\">Hicks Park</a>, 3443 S. Mingo Road\r\nBring your canine companion to Hicks Park and find out if your dog has the luck o\' the Irish - setter, that is. Join the folks at Hicks for a morning of fun &amp; canine cavorting. Cost is free.\r\n\r\n<strong>St. Pawtrick\'s Day Yappy Hour</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, March 13, 2-4pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.dogdish.com/\">The Dog Dish</a>, 6502 E. 51st Street in The Farm Shopping Center\r\nTake a bite out of the canine buffet, human refreshments and a special discount available only during yappy hour.\r\n\r\n<strong>Momma\'s Saturday Book Club: Too Many Leprechauns</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, March 13, 11:30am\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=387030276348&amp;ref=nf\">Joe Momma\'s downtown</a>, 112 S. Elgin Ave.\r\nOn St. Patrick\'s Day, leprechauns are lucky. But on every other day of the year, they make for noisy neighbors, and they\'re turning the entire town of Dingle upside down. Join the Saturday Book Club for a morning of family fun with balloon animals, fun crafts and several door prizes. See you there.\r\n\r\n<strong>Flogging Molly</strong>\r\nWhen: Monday, March 15, doors at 6pm, show at 7pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.cainsballroom.com/\">Cain\'s Ballroom</a>, 423 N. Main Street\r\nIt\'s hard not to Irish in your bones when rocking out to some Flogging Molly. Architects and Synthetic Elements open. Tickets are $29.\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">\r\n</span></strong>\r\n<strong>St. Patrick\'s Day Run</strong>\r\nWhen: March 13; 8:30am for Fun Run, 9:15 for the 5K\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.specialolympicsoklahoma.org/StPatricks5KRun.html/\">In Brookside at 43rd Street</a>\r\nKick off the running season with the 28th Annual St. Patrick\'s 5K Run. This race will attract more than 2,000 runners and about 80 Special Olympics Oklahoma Athletes. All proceeds will benefit Special Olympics Oklahoma and the Tulsa Running Club. Registration is $20. Just be sure to sweat green.\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">\r\n</span></strong>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Irish Heritage Series</span>\r\nWhen: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, March 15th, 16th and 17th\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsaparks.com/\">Centennial Park and Central Senior Center</a>, 1028 E. 6th St.\r\nJoin in on the 4th annual Irish Heritage Series. Get cooking on the 15th, 5:30pm-6:00pm. Sing Along &amp; Stories 15th, 6:00pm-7:00pm. Intro to Irish Dance on the 16th, 5:30pm-6:00pm. History of Symbols &amp; Famous Gaelic Sayings 16th, 6:00pm-7:00pm. Ceili on St. Paddy\'s Day, 6:30pm-8:00pm. After the Ceili, stick around to see a performance by the Kristin Butke School of Irish Dancing. Pre-Registration required - call (918) 596-1455. All ages are welcome. Cost is $25.00.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Truth About Saint Patrick and an Island Without Snakes</strong>\r\nWhen: March 17, 11am; 1pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsazoo.org/\">Tulsa Zoo</a>, 5701 E. 36th Street North at the Jumpin\' Jiminy \"Fun Zone\"\r\nLearn the legendary tale of the famous St. Patrick and how he rid Ireland of snakes. Legend or not, Ireland still remains snake-free. Enjoy light refreshments, a keeper chat about snakes and find out whether the Irish are truly lucky or not to be without our slithery friends.\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\"><strong>St. Pat\'s Party at Arnie\'s</strong></div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">When: Wednesday, March 17, Starting at noon (Yes, noon)</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Where: <a href=\"http://www.arniesbar.com/\">Arnie\'s Bar</a>, 318 E. Second Street</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">You haven\'t celebrated St. Patrick\'s Day in Tulsa until you\'ve celebrated at Arnie\'s, one of Tulsa\'s most cherished Irish bars. Show up at noon for this 54th annual celebration if you like to get started early and stay until the bands strike up at 5pm. Grab some Irish Stew from the Blue Dome Diner, hot dogs from The Dog House and/or some pizza from Joe Momma\'s, all available at Arnie\'s for the big party. Live music includes tunes from Fiddlers of the Apocolypse, Cairde na Gael and Larkin. Door proceeds benefit Iron Gate.</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\"><strong>St. Patrick\'s Day Concert with Kilkenny Road</strong></div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">When: Wednesday, March 17, 6pm</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Where: <a href=\"http://www.pricetower.org/\">Price Tower Arts Center</a>, 510 Dewey Avenue in Bartlesville</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Join the Price Tower folks for Celtic entertainment in the museum, housed in the only skyscraper by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Cash bar with festive drinks (if that\'s not the most polite way to say green beer possible, you can slap my grandma) and appetizers will be available. Cost is $5, or free for PTAC members.</div>\r\n<strong>New Talk KRMG\'s St. Patrick\'s Day Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Wednesday, March 17, 4:30-6pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/dirtystavern\">Dirty\'s Tavern</a>, 325 E. Second Street\r\nLooking for the ultimate way to get the party started on the 17th? Join News Talk KRMG and TYPros (Tulsa\'s Young Professionals) for a free beer at Dirty\'s. Simply text the word \"BEER\" to 95920 and the first beer of the holiday is on the house.\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">\r\n</span></strong>\r\n<strong>Kilkenny\'s St. Pat\'s Street Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Wednesday, March 17, Starting at 4pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsairishpub.com/\">Kilkenny\'s Irish Pub</a>, 1413 E. 15th (Cherry) Street\r\nArrive on Cherry Street to find the road blocked, tents up and a pint of Guinness in every hand. Check out the live music, food specials and other vendors outside, too.\r\n\r\n<strong>St. Patrick\'s Day Dinner at The Local Table</strong>\r\nWhen: Wednesday, March 17, 6:30pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tulsa-OK/The-Local-Table/52591123818?ref=search&amp;sid=1148295116.2544271928..1\">The Local Table</a>, 4329 S. Peoria Ave.\r\nIt\'s time again for the St. Pat\'s Irish Whiskey and Beer Dinner at TLT. First course is Irish Brown Bread with house-cured salmon and mustard sauce; to drink is Powers Irish and Smithwick\'s Irish Ale. Second course is Corned Beef and Cabbage with creamed horseradish and Irish Soda Bread; to drink is Tullarmore Dew Irish and Murphy\'s Irish Red. Entree is Irish Stew with mini walnut soda breads; to drink is Red Breast Irish and Guinness Irish Draught. Irish Cream Chocolate Mousse Cake is for dessert. Cost is $40. No, really, just $40.\r\n\r\n<strong>St. Patty\'s Day Unibroue Beer Dinner at The Melting Pot</strong>\r\nWhen: 6-9pm\r\nWhere: The Melting Pot, Riverwalk Crossing in Jenks\r\nFour courses, five beers, $50 per person. Better call now - seating is limited. The number is (918) 299-8000.\r\n\r\n<strong>St. Paddy\'s at The Canebrake</strong>\r\nWhen: Wednesday, March 17, 7-10pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.thecanebrake.com/\">The Canebrake</a>, 33241 E. 732nd Road in Wagoner\r\nGet great Irish music from the Crossroads Celtic Trio from 7-10 p.m. (no cover) and an awesome menu: Corned beef boxty cakes topped with fried oysters, smoked pork knuckle and cabbage stew, grilled Rueben with house sauerkraut and tarragon-rubbed roasted lamb chops with house mint jelly and fried potatoes. Look for beer and drink specials, too. Mmm.\r\n\r\n<strong>St. Paddy\'s Party with Enso and The Electric Circus</strong>\r\nWhen: Wednesday, March 17, 9pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.ensobar.com/\">Enso</a>, 104 S. Detroit Ave., and Electric Circus, 222 E. First Street\r\nCelebrate St. Paddy\'s day with the biggest electro dance party in town. Check out Steve Cluck and DJ Dilation, and for no cover. You gotta be wearing green to get in the door, though.\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">\r\n</span></strong>\r\n<strong>C.J. Maloney\'s</strong>\r\nWhen: Wednesday, March 17, 6-9pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://cjmoloneys.com/2010/01/22/uninvited-guest-march-6/\">1849 South Aspen Avenue</a> in Broken Arrow\r\nThe mascot at C.J.\'s isn\'t a leprechaun for nothin\'. Look for drink specials all day long and special guests Poor Paddy as they perform your favorite Irish tunes starting at sundown. Then keep the party alive all night with the fantastic Smunty Voje.\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\"><strong>McNellie\'s St. Pat\'s Party</strong></div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n\r\nEvery year First Street closes and the tents go up. When should you show up for the Guinness-doused fun? When <a href=\"http://www.mcnellies.com/\">the official McNellie\'s countdown to St. Patrick\'s Day</a> is about to hit zero, that\'s when.\r\n\r\n<strong>Pickles Pub St. Pat\'s Party</strong>\r\nThose of you in southtown down have to hit downtown on St. Pat\'s to have a good time. Get to Pickles at 4902 S. Sheridan Road for a party and the Anderson Pipe and Drum Band. They\'ll be live from 6:30-10pm.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\"><strong>St. Paddy\'s Day Celebration in Downtown Claremore</strong></div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Join Claremore Main Street for Celtic music, bangers &amp; Mash (a full Irish meal featuring sausage and mashed potatoes, dessert &amp; drink), sidewalk parade and face painting. Lunch is $5.</div>','What to Do in Tulsa on St. Patrick\'s Day','','private','open','open','','what-to-do-in-tulsa-on-st-patricks-day','','','2011-03-11 14:29:29','2011-03-11 20:29:29','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=488',0,'post','',0),(490,1,'2010-03-15 16:20:00','2010-03-15 16:20:00','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/02/tulsa-blogger-meetup-lets-sweeten-this.html\">If you didn\'t make it to the first Tulsa Blogger Meetup</a> (and especially if you did), be sure to come out to <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1619648435&amp;ref=search&amp;sid=1148295116.180063092..1\">the Blue Dome Diner</a> on March 25. <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=388606996419&amp;ref=ts\">It\'s there you\'ll find Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition</a>.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4434894373/\" title=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup 2 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup 2\" height=\"800\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4434894373_f26f2f993a_o.jpg\" width=\"517\" /></a></div><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>As it was last month, this meetup is open to any and all bloggers and/or wannabe bloggers in the Tulsa area. \"In the Tulsa area\" means different things to different people - the state of Oregon is in the Tulsa area in the grand scheme of things, after all - so I\'ll let you all define what that means for yourselves. Translation: Come one, come all.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4344431680/\" title=\"Tulsa Bloggers Meetup by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Bloggers Meetup\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4344431680_981bf35610.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />TBM enjoyed a great turnout at our first meeting. More than 50 of you showed up at <a href=\"http://www.joemommas.com/\">Joe Momma\'s downtown</a> to rub elbows with your fellow bloggers, to eat great food and drink great beer and to win fabulous door prizes.<br /><br />The next TBM will be even bigger and better. <a href=\"http://www.artofmanliness.com/\"><b>Brett McKay, writer of the best overall blog in the entire and great state of Oklahoma, The Art of Manliness</b></a><b>, will chat with us for a bit</b>.<br /><br /><b>Plus, you all have a say-so in the door prize pool this go-\'round</b>. How? Contribute to it yourself! Grab a little something for everyone (at least 60 of whatever you\'re bringing) or something special for one lucky winner and promote your blog to Tulsa\'s new media for next to nothing. <b>Local businesses are welcome to do this, too</b>.<br /><br />Now for a few matters of business. If you\'re coming to TBM2, be sure to bring:<br /><ul><li>Business/calling cards (even slips of paper with your name and blog url will work)</li><li>Smart phone/laptop (the more you tweet/FB about the event, the better the next rodeo will be)</li><li>An empty stomach (the food at Blue Dome Diner is <i>killer</i> - you won\'t want to miss out)</li></ul>I\'ll have name tags ready to go, too. &nbsp;Sometimes it\'s hard to match the face to the blogger persona. I get it.<br /><br /><b>I NEED YOUR OPINION!</b> The TBM \"committee\" is wrestling with how to handle the food situation. Several of you complained that last time the ordering and service of food made things confusing not only for you, but for the waitstaff, given how much everyone was moving around to chat and banter and generally enjoy themselves.<br /><br />There\'s an easy way to solve this: A catered dinner. What goes along with that, though, is putting your money where your mouth is when you RSVP. The Blue Dome Diner has offered to put together for us a small menu of $10 plates available for pre-order for the event.<br /><br />The downside of this option is that we\'ll still have a certain amount of table service happening for the folks who decide to pop in at the last minute (and there\'s definitely, definitely nothing wrong with deciding to pop in at the last minute). Plus, everyone who knows they\'re coming will have to pay for dinner online and in advance.<br /><br /><b>PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS POST TO LET ME KNOW IF YOU THINK THIS IS A DUMB IDEA</b>, and do it soon. If we\'re going to do the catered dinner I\'d like to have our order in to the folks at BDD by Sunday evening.<br /><br />I don\'t know about y\'all, but I\'m already ready to party my blogger hiney off.<br /><br /><i>Poster design by <a href=\"http://www.tulsaproject.com/\">Michael Champlin of Tulsa Project</a>. Ain\'t it cool?&nbsp;</i>','Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Take Two','','publish','open','open','','tulsa-blogger-meetup-take-two','','','2010-03-15 16:20:00','2010-03-15 16:20:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=490',0,'post','',12),(491,1,'2010-03-16 15:15:00','2010-03-16 15:15:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Boulder Grill by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4438487382/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4438487382_cb84a9715f.jpg\" alt=\"The Boulder Grill\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\nThough The Boulder Grill is on the ground floor of the new Holiday Inn Tulsa - City Center at Seventh Street and Boulder Avenue, the décor, service and quality of cuisine make it a restaurant that could have worked just as well as an exclusive, top-floor stop for downtown’s business crowd.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/industry_article.asp?cID=i&amp;aID=34987607.3503787.659373.8513719.3683508.195&amp;aID2=50712\">Read all about homemade tater tots and the Velvet Burger at The Boulder Grill on the Food page of this week\'s edition of Tulsa Business Journal</a>.','The Boulder Grill: Power Lunch','Though The Boulder Grill is on the ground floor of the new Holiday Inn Tulsa - City Center at Seventh Street and Boulder Avenue, the décor, service and quality of cuisine make it a restaurant that could have worked just as well as an exclusive, top-floor stop for downtown’s business crowd.\r\n','publish','open','open','','boulder-grill-power-lunch','','','2010-09-09 07:11:36','2010-09-09 12:11:36','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=491',0,'post','',3),(492,1,'2010-03-16 22:49:00','2010-03-16 22:49:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4439447006/\" title=\"Ron the Shoe Shine Guy by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Ron the Shoe Shine Guy\" height=\"330\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2786/4439447006_a773eb713f.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />This is Ron. He’s probably one of the nicest people I know. But he’ll put a mean shine on your shoes if you let him.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4438669799/\" title=\"Ron the Shoe Shine Guy by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Ron the Shoe Shine Guy\" height=\"423\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2730/4438669799_fc6399b33a_o.jpg\" width=\"640\" /></a></div><br />Ron’s been visiting the <a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\">Tulsa Business Journal</a> offices, as well as others in <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thompson_Building\">the Thompson Building</a>, at Fifth Street and Boston Avenue downtown, weekly for about a year and a half. <br /><br />Every Tuesday or Thursday, we could count on him wandering our halls, poking his head into our offices and asking, “Got any shoes today?”<br /><br />“Need your shoes done today?”<br /><br />We’d hand over our shoes, along with a $5 bill, and Ron would make himself comfortable, chatting us up while he shined our shoes.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4439447118/\" title=\"Ron the Shoe Shine Guy by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Ron the Shoe Shine Guy\" height=\"640\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4439447118_fe50bbe135_o.jpg\" width=\"423\" /></a></div><br />And man did they shine.<br /><br />A couple of months ago, the good folks at <a href=\"http://www.stfpr.com/\">Schnake Turnbo Frank | PR</a>, who occupy our building’s 15th floor, talked the building owner into letting Ron set up shop in our lobby so he could shine even more shoes and make even more money.<br /><br />They also helped him get some gigs in other downtown buildings.<br /><br />Every Tuesday, from about 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ron shines shoes in the Thompson Building. Our building’s owners pay him so the shine is free, but he does accept tips (although he’ll sometimes tell you it’s not necessary). On Wednesdays, Ron is in the Williams tower (across the way from Stems), Second Street and Cincinnati Avenue, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Thursdays he’s on the 38th floor of First Place Tower (15 E. Fifth St.) from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.<br /><br />The other two buildings don’t pay him, so it’ll cost you $5 a pair for a shine. That\'s cheap, especially considering the good work he does.<br /><br />And he’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face, which is just a bonus.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4438669735/\" title=\"Ron the Shoe Shine Guy by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Ron the Shoe Shine Guy\" height=\"330\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4438669735_59ee292708.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Go see Ron. Your feet will thank you.<br /><br /><i>This post comes to you thanks to Holly Wall, senior editor at </i><a href=\"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/\"><i>Tulsa Business Journal</i></a><i> and </i><a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/\"><i>Urban Tulsa Weekly</i></a><i> arts writer. Her work also appears in </i><a href=\"http://www.ovac-ok.org/ArtFocus/art_focus_current_issue.cfm\"><i>Art Focus Oklahoma</i></a><i>, </i><a href=\"http://www.tulsapac.com/images/int150.pdf\"><i>Intermission</i></a><i> and </i><a href=\"http://miamagazine.net/\"><i>Mia Magazine</i></a><i>. She lives in Tulsa. Also, she loves Sno Cones. </i>','Ron the Shoe Shine Guy','','publish','open','open','','ron-shoe-shine-guy','','','2010-03-16 22:49:00','2010-03-16 22:49:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=492',0,'post','',2),(493,1,'2010-03-17 19:03:00','2010-03-17 19:03:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4440735269/\" title=\"Chiles Rellenos by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Chiles Rellenos\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2780/4440735269_edbd841dfe.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />A few years ago, <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2007/04/you-too-can-do-tulsa.html\">I began a search for Tulsa\'s best chiles rellenos</a>. Last summer, after snagging an especially lovely haul of peppers from <a href=\"http://bootstrapfarm.blogspot.com/\">the kids at Bootstrap Farm</a> at <a href=\"http://www.cherrystreetfarmersmarket.com/\">the Wednesday Farmers Market</a>, I decided to expand my search to include my own kitchen.<br /><br />I know it\'s early to be talking about the farmers\' market already, but come on. I\'m excited. It\'s officially late March and the markets open early next month. Get excited with me! <br /><br /><a href=\"http://www.ttownmoms.com/?page=blogs/view&amp;BLID=7858\">Get the recipe on my blog at Ttownmoms.com</a>.','The Search for the Best Chiles Rellenos','','publish','open','open','','search-for-best-chiles-rellenos','','','2010-03-17 19:03:00','2010-03-17 19:03:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=493',0,'post','',4),(494,1,'2010-03-18 22:44:00','2010-03-18 22:44:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Camel Rides at the Tulsa Zoo by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4444310676/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4444310676_fc5001b8d4_o.jpg\" alt=\"Camel Rides at the Tulsa Zoo\" width=\"465\" height=\"704\" /></a></div>\r\nThanks to the fact that two out of three of the residents of the TDT household are students this semester, Spring Break 2010 is packing a punch of awesome sauce right through our faces.\r\n\r\n<a name=\"more\"></a>Here\'s what we did with the first day of our vacation:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Slept in. Big time.</li>\r\n	<li>Had dinner with a set of kiddo\'s grandparents.</li>\r\n	<li>Went to the park.</li>\r\n	<li>Watched some Hulu.</li>\r\n	<li>Went grocery shopping (<a href=\"http://www.918couponqueen.com/\">saved more than $70 with sales and coupons</a> - woot!)</li>\r\n	<li>Rode a camel at <a href=\"http://www.tulsazoo.org/\">Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum</a>.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nYeah, that last one was pretty much THE BEST THING EVER. Our son wanted me to pass along to you that he highly recommends it.\r\n\r\nTulsa Zoo still has lots of fun stuff going on for the kiddos this week, including a special kids\' zone and lots of chances to chat up the Tulsa Zoo docents. <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/03/what-to-do-in-tulsa-for-kids-this.html\">Check it out</a>.','Riding A Camel at Tulsa Zoo: What I Did On My Spring Break','','publish','open','open','','tulsa-zoo-what-i-did-on-my-spring-break','','','2011-03-11 15:17:06','2011-03-11 21:17:06','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=494',0,'post','',2),(495,1,'2010-03-19 00:14:00','2010-03-19 00:14:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4443710727/\" title=\"MidTown Meats by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"MidTown Meats\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2724/4443710727_06ef6f7864.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Day two of <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/03/what-i-did-on-my-spring-break-day-one.html\">our glorious, college-nerd-style Spring Break</a>&nbsp;(the kind where you don\'t go to Padre or Cozumel or anywhere like that but instead stay home to cuddle the books you\'ve been waiting to read for six months) was a fun-filled day.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>We:<br /><br /><br /><ul><li>Slept in.</li><li>Took a long nap.</li><li>Went to bed early. (Are we seeing a trend here?)</li><li>Cleaned the desktop on my computer.</li><li>Ate a bacon burger from a local butcher shop.</li></ul><br /><br />If you\'ve never had meat from anywhere other than aisle 5AA of your nearest mega-grocery chain, then you\'ve never really tasted what meat can be like.<br /><br />Something I catch my parents and my grandparents saying about food in general is that it doesn\'t seem quite as tasty as they remember it being when they were kids. My answer to that is, as long as you get your food from a store with square footage measuring anything close to a mile, it\'s not.<br /><br />When they come to my house for dinner on Saturday nights, after my Saturday morning runs to the farmers\' market, and they get a slice of tomato or the plate of squash fritters passes their way, they say something along the lines of, \"This tomato tastes like the ones my dad used to grow in our backyard,\" or, \"This squash reminds me of the ones we\'d find at country stands when I was a kid.\"<br /><br />Food has come a long way, baby. I don\'t mean that food has made great strides in the past 30 or 40 years. I mean that, literally, the majority of our food comes from a long way away, and that includes our meat. Our beef, pork and chicken aren\'t carefully selected and processed up the block by a small butcher shop anymore. It\'s mass-produced, mass-processed and shipped from hundreds of miles away, just like most else that\'s edible that we buy these days.<br /><br />Anyone who argues that this change in set up doesn\'t affect how our food tastes probably lost his taste buds in a freak childhood accident. He\'s jealous that the rest of us can still enjoy our sense of taste. He wishes we suffered as he does, in a world of grey flavors.<br /><br />So, he invented supermarket meat counters.<br /><br />At least, that\'s how I imagined it went down. Now that I\'ve put it on the Internet, it\'s true. Because we all know that everything we read on the Internet is as solid as those chocolate bunnies on the end caps at Walgreens.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4443670211/\" title=\"MidTown Meats by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"MidTown Meats\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2747/4443670211_cbf465a893.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Earlier this week I got to experience what meat can be like when it\'s selected, processed and sold locally.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4443670271/\" title=\"MidTown Meats by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"MidTown Meats\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4443670271_dba42a8b3e.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />My sweet stepdad likes to bring me things. Food, especially. This time my prize was a pound of BJ\'s bacon burger from MidTown Meats, at 7924 E. 21st Street (at 21st and Memorial).<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4443710431/\" title=\"MidTown Meats by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"MidTown Meats\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4443710431_099546333c.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />The meat was a blend of high-fat beef - perfect for burgers - and bacon. The end result was a cheeseburger with that bacon-cheeseburger taste, without having to cook the bacon separately.<br /><br />I didn\'t have to add a thing at all to the meat. Not even salt. I mean, look at the fat in these patties. That\'s all the flavor your need, right there.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4443710501/\" title=\"MidTown Meats by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"MidTown Meats\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2694/4443710501_5534fcc38c.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />And now for the Husband Taste Test.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4443710775/\" title=\"MidTown Meats by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"MidTown Meats\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2725/4443710775_284fe9a9a8.jpg\" width=\"332\" /></a></div><br />Mmm. The mayo-lip seal of approval.<br /><br />I think he\'s gonna go in for another bite.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4444480848/\" title=\"MidTown Meats by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"MidTown Meats\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2562/4444480848_43d8894dd7.jpg\" width=\"332\" /></a></div><br />Needless to say, I never saw that burger again. A memorial:<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4443710673/\" title=\"MidTown Meats by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"MidTown Meats\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2694/4443710673_50abea0a1a.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><a href=\"http://tulsaloop.com/2008/07/tulsas-best-meat-markets/\">Tulsa Loop has a list of local meat markets</a>. It\'s good enough to get you started, to help you find a meat market near you.<br /><br />Once you find one, go there and order a thing or two for dinner this weekend. What you\'ll notice is personal service (which, in my opinion, is almost always better than no service at all, which is what you get at the local supermarket), a friendly face and maybe even a hand-cut hunk of meaty goodness.<br /><br />I\'ll warn you, make no plans after dinner. You\'ll be too busy basking in the glory of what you almost forgot meat could be: Tasty.','What I Did On My Spring Break: Day Two','','publish','open','open','','what-i-did-on-my-spring-break-day-two','','','2010-03-19 00:14:00','2010-03-19 00:14:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=495',0,'post','',0),(497,1,'2010-03-19 15:30:00','2010-03-19 15:30:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Blue Bell Creamery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4444270528/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4444270528_8c7bfb6bf2.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Bell Creamery\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a></div>\r\nWednesday was an eventful Spring Break day. Not that the other ones haven\'t been. It\'s just that we were especially mobile on hump day.\r\n\r\n<a name=\"more\"></a>We:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Woke up early</li>\r\n	<li>Took a long nap</li>\r\n	<li>Wore lots of green (hello, it was St. Patrick\'s Day)</li>\r\n	<li>Drove Route 66 (Did you know that it winds right through the heart of Tulsa?)</li>\r\n	<li>Toured a giant ice cream factory.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWait. What? You didn\'t know there\'s a giant ice cream factory just minutes from Tulsa? Well, there is. <a href=\"http://bluebell.com/the_little_creamery/visiting_blue_bell/VisitBB_BrokenArrow.html\">It\'s Blue Bell Creameries</a>, and it\'s southeast of T-Town in a little town called Broken Arrow.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Blue Bell Creamery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4443498897/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4443498897_140f311ba3.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Bell Creamery\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Blue Bell Creamery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4444269696/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/4444269696_c94749153f.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Bell Creamery\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a></div>\r\nNot only are there mass amounts of ice cream being mixed, packed and shipped from a plant a surprisingly short distance from Tulsa proper, but Blue Bell Creameries is also generous enough to offer tours of their production facility for a song. Tours are just $2 for adults. Kids aged 6-18 get in for $1, and anyone under age 6 gets in free.\r\n\r\nWhile Blue Bell doesn\'t allow cameras on the tour (think Willy Wonka, his chocolate factory and his fierce protection of his trade secrets and you\'ll get the gist of what I\'d like to imagine in my little fantasy world is going on in the ice cream industry), they do provide a free scoop of ice cream in pretty much any flavor you\'d like at the end of the tour.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Blue Bell Creamery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4444270178/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4444270178_2d692925b4.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Bell Creamery\" width=\"332\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nHubs chose Black Walnut. Kiddo wanted chocolate.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Blue Bell Creamery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4444270478/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4444270478_4e5c923b62.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Bell Creamery\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Blue Bell Creamery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4444270090/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4444270090_5281b3efe3.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Bell Creamery\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Blue Bell Creamery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4444270324/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4444270324_624124d4ea.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Bell Creamery\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a></div>\r\nAs for me, I wanted mint chocolate chip. My favorite.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Blue Bell Creamery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4444270528/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4444270528_8c7bfb6bf2.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Bell Creamery\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Blue Bell Creamery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4443499753/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2714/4443499753_8f88d46515.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Bell Creamery\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Blue Bell Creamery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4444270658/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4444270658_eaf5e04b99.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Bell Creamery\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a></div>\r\nYou get cool hats, too.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Blue Bell Creamery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4443499967/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4443499967_5727e5428e.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Bell Creamery\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a></div>\r\nAt least, I think they\'re cool.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Blue Bell Creamery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4444270240/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4444270240_d42e860330.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Bell Creamery\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a></div>\r\nBlue Bell Creameries in Broken Arrow is also home to the Blue Bell Country Store, a clearinghouse of cutesy, kitschy Blue Bell stuff. We\'re talking everything from ice cream scoops to coffee mugs that look like pints of ice cream.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Blue Bell Creamery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4443499257/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4443499257_726e6d3e06.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Bell Creamery\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Blue Bell Creamery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4444270004/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2787/4444270004_08e72ec3a9.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Bell Creamery\" width=\"332\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Blue Bell Creamery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4444269940/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4444269940_2b7c492f94.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Bell Creamery\" width=\"332\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nCute, right?\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Blue Bell Creamery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4444269606/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4444269606_db8ba91d22.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Bell Creamery\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a></div>\r\nTo arrange a tour of your own of Blue Bell Creameries in Broken Arrow, call (918) 258-5100. Tours are Monday-Friday 9am-1pm by appointment only.','The Blue Bell Creamery Tour: What I Did On My Spring Break','','publish','open','open','','blue-bell-creamery-what-i-did-on-my-spring-break','','','2011-03-11 15:15:26','2011-03-11 21:15:26','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=497',0,'post','',2),(498,1,'2010-03-19 19:35:00','2010-03-19 19:35:00','More often than not it seems that the forces of weather here in northeast Oklahoma decide to have one last hurrah of freezing winter weather, just before spring starts.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4445485261/\" title=\"Oklahoma Weather by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Oklahoma Weather\" height=\"273\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4445485261_41fb5def20.jpg\" width=\"361\" /></a></div><br />A forty-degree difference from one day to the next. From sunshine and gentle breezes to freezing temperatures and upwards of six inches of snow. From spring to winter, just when, on the eve of the first day of spring, weather conditions should be trending exactly in the opposite direction.<br /><br />I think that qualifies as a last hurrah.<br /><br /><i><a href=\"http://www.newson6.com/\">Image edited from newson6.com</a></i>.','The Last Hurrah','','publish','open','open','','last-hurrah','','','2010-03-19 19:35:00','2010-03-19 19:35:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=498',0,'post','',2),(499,1,'2010-03-20 19:40:00','2010-03-20 19:40:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img src=\"http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs457.ash1/25136_371843998181_118784858181_3689694_3572873_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" /></div>\r\nCrazy weather is nothing new for Oklahomans. However callused we think we are to news of <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/03/last-hurrah.html\">the types of big and sudden changes in our atmospheric environs that we experienced from yesterday to today</a>, we all, even (especially?) us natives, tend to go through a series of powerful emotions as the weather prepares to punch us in the neck.\r\n\r\nThe process goes a little something like this.\r\n\r\n<a name=\"more\"></a><strong>Denial</strong>. When crazy weather creeps into our five-day forecasts, we like to say something along the lines of, \"You mean to tell me that we\'ll go from a high of 72 on Friday to a high of 32 on Saturday? I just don\'t believe it.\" And for the next few days, we don\'t. Though cranky weather is creeping toward us, we tend to go about business as usual. We do begin to milk it for small talk, however.\r\n\r\n<strong>Anger</strong>. The day a less-than-favorable stark change in weather arrives, we Oklahomans\' feelings range from mildly annoyed to majorly pissed off. This is the stage in which we take to Twitter and Facebook to complain about the weather that\'s about to befall us. We say things like, \"I ran through the park with my dog in the sunshine earlier today. And to think that tomorrow we\'ll all be shut in thanks to ice and snow. Grrr!\"\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img src=\"http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs466.ash1/25596_104174056280822_100000646856901_106009_3852248_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" /></div>\r\n<strong>Bargaining</strong>. We Oklahomans know better than to try to bargain with Mother Nature. Instead, we take our bargaining skills to the grocery store. Our favorite aisles just before a snow storm are the ones where toilet paper, batteries, bottled water and beer are shelved. Shelves containing canned and processed foods (don\'t forget the cookies and Moon Pies!), candles, Snuggies and auto de-icer are likewise picked clean. Looking outside at the snow that hasn\'t stopped falling since early this morning, I\'d venture to say that at this point there\'s not an ice scraper or six-pack of Miller Lite to be found in any grocery store in the metro.\r\n\r\n<strong>Depression</strong>. At 10pm yesterday evening we Tulsans were perched at our windows and storm doors, feeling how the outside air had cooled 20 degrees from what it was two hours before. A cold rain had begun. To think that we were on the other side of those windows and doors just a couple of hours ago, biking through our neighborhoods in the warm breeze, cooking dinner outside on the grill, hopping in the car in search of a scoop of ice cream, isn\'t the only thing giving us chills. All of this change gives us long faces (we\'re not fans of change - just look at how we voted in 2008). We log on to Twitter one last time before bed just long enough to swear on a tropical vacation, or even to move away from Oklahoma forever.\r\n\r\n<strong>Acceptance</strong>. This afternoon we\'re drinking cocoa. Or, we\'re snuggled by our fireplaces. Or, we\'re outside with our kids, playing in the snow. Most of our parties and weekend plans have taken a back seat to a day at home with our TVs and/or our families, courtesy of Mother Nature. Granted, sometimes she  waits until the first day of spring to get around to it, but still. And granted, it\'s cool when she waits until the middle of the work week so we can all have a day off, but still.\r\n\r\nI\'m a fifth-generation Oklahoman. I know not to tell Mother Nature how to do her job. I just talk about her behind her back.\r\n\r\nA lot.\r\n\r\n<em>First photo from the Big Mad Morning Show. Yes, that\'s </em><a href=\"http://www.reasors.com/\"><em>Reasor\'s</em></a><em> and, yes, that was the state of things there today. </em><a href=\"http://www.bmms.com/\"><em>Follow them on Twitter</em></a><em>, </em><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tulsa-OK/The-Big-Mad-Morning-Show/118784858181\"><em>fan them on Facebook</em></a><em>.</em><em>\r\n</em>\r\n<em>Second photo also taken at Reasor\'s, this time by </em><a href=\"http://www.datastorageinc.com/\"><em>Scott Hambrick, president of Data Storage, Inc</em></a><em>. </em><a href=\"http://twitter.com/wmscotthambrick\"><em>Follow Scott on Twitter</em></a><em>. </em>','Weather Preparation the Oklahoma Way','I\'m a fifth-generation Oklahoman. I know not to tell Mother Nature how to do her job. I just talk about her behind her back.','publish','open','open','','weather-preparation-oklahoma-way','','','2010-10-12 08:40:09','2010-10-12 13:40:09','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=499',0,'post','',1),(2918,1,'2010-10-12 15:10:36','2010-10-12 20:10:36','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Pumpkin Town by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4012382768/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2431/4012382768_f5e2f0e6ef.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\n<b>PSST! Hey, you.</b> Looking for things to do in Tulsa for Halloween 2011? <a href=\"http://dowhat.thislandpress.com/event_tags/halloween/\">Visit Do What, the new home of the best Halloween things to do in Tulsa</a>. \r\n\r\n<b>Halloween 2010 in Tulsa: For the Kids</b>\r\n\r\nThere\'s so much going on in Tulsa this Halloween that I\'ve made three - <em>three!</em> - lists of activities and events so that you\'ll have the easiest and happiest time possible putting together your spooktacular itinerary for this year.\r\n\r\nI\'m going to kick things off with all the stuff the kids won\'t want to miss this Halloween season. From free, community events to more costly ways to get your scare on, here\'s the list among lists of ways to make the children happy, starting this very weekend.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate group=\"2\" banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<h2><strong>Halloween Out and About</strong></h2>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Sand Springs Soap Box Derby Race 2009 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4011626007/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2505/4011626007_c07ff7cea9.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Springs Soap Box Derby Race 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\n<strong>Pumpkin Patches Galore</strong>\r\nWhen: Now-Halloween\r\nWhere: All over Tulsa\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/pumpkin-patches-in-tulsa/\">Click here for a mega-list of the pumpkin patches in the Tulsa area</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Tulsa Corn Maize</strong>\r\nWhen: Now-Nov. 7; Friday, 5-10pm; Saturday, 10am-10pm; Sunday, 12-10pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsamaize.com/\">32506 E. 61st Street in Broken Arrow</a>\r\nThere\'s more to do at the Tulsa Corn Maize than just get lost. Let me count the ways: A paintball shooting range; campfires; a haunted maze; a cow train; hay rides; rubber ducky races; and a corn box (<a href=\"http://www.tulsamaize.com/photos/Tulsa%20Corn%20Maize%20036.jpg\">you have to see it to believe it</a>). Admission is $6 per youth aged 4-12, free for kids 3 and under and $8 for adults.\r\n\r\n<strong>Halloween Festival at The Castle of Muskogee</strong>\r\nWhen: Oct. 29, 30 and Halloween, 6-10pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://okcastle.com/Halloween.html\">The Castle at Muskogee</a>, 3400 Fern Mountain Road\r\nFun for kids and the young at heart alike, The Castle delivers ten spooktacular things to do that range from not-so-scary to really-really-scary, all across a 60-acre Halloween-themed park. From the sinister, fog-shrounded forest to the carnival atmosphere of Halloween Land, everyone is sure to find performances and activities they\'ll never forget. Check out the ticket combos, which range $16-$26, <a href=\"&lt;a href=\">http://www.okcastle.com/halloween-2008.html</a>\"&gt; and are available from The Castle Web site.\r\n\r\n<strong>Scary Sage</strong>\r\nWhen: Oct. 29, starting at 11:30am\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://maps.google.com/maps?&q=3131+S.+Sheridan+Road,Tulsa,US\">Clary Sage</a>, 3131 S. Sheridan Road.\r\nLooking for a haunted house-style event with a C.S.I. theme? Check out this event at Clary Sage, which shows off the skills of the cosmetology, esthetics and nail technician students there. Think you can find the murderer? If you can, you get a prize. Look also for a kids’ room with games, candy, face painting and nail art. Everyone who attends the event is encouraged to bring a canned food donation, too. Until 2:30pm.\r\n\r\n<strong>Sand Springs Fright Night</strong>\r\nWhen: Oct. 29 and 30, 7pm\r\nWhere: Prattville, 41st Street and Highway 97, in Sand Springs\r\nIf you’re in the Sand Springs neck of the Tulsa-area woods this weekend, fet two frightful nights of fun in Prattville, where you can check out a haunted house, games, prizes, Jupiter Jumps and free candy, all in a free, safe, indoor environment. Score!\r\n\r\n<strong>Camp Cute &amp; Spooky</strong>\r\nWhen: Oct. 29 and 30, 7-9pm\r\nWhere: Discoveryland!\r\nKids 10 and under can hit the trail to west Tulsa <a href=\"http://discoverylandusa.com/halloween.shtml\">for an evening of great Halloween fun at the Discoveryland! entertainment complex</a> (note: The dates on the website have not been updated, so be sure to copy the dates on this website into your calendar). Catch everything from a trick-or-treat trail through a lighted enchanted forest to a haystack jump to the \"Monster Mash\" dance stage to caramel apples and smores. Admission is $6 (but look what I found - <a href=\"http://dland.redrockcustomhomes.com/campcoupon.html\">a $1-off coupon</a>!) and includes all activities. Don\'t forget to don those costumes!\r\n\r\n<strong>HallowZOOeen</strong>\r\nWhen: Oct. 29-Halloween, 6:30-8:30pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"https://payment.iwsok.com/tulsazoo2009/OnlineStore/Tickets/productDetail.cfm?productID=11\">Tulsa Zoo &amp; Living Museum</a>, in Mohawk Park off of 36th Street North between Sheridan and Mingo\r\nGet wild this Halloween and <a href=\"&lt;a href=\">http://tulsazoo.org/</a>\"&gt;bring your boys and \"ghouls\" to trick-or-treat at the wildest neighborhood in town. A spooky (but not too scary) Halloween adventure is planned at this 21st annual HallowZOOeen. Get treats at Goblin Stops, play games and see zoo mascots as you roam the trick-or-treat trail. General admission is $7 (or $6 for members), and kids under 2 who are not trick-or-treating will be admitted free.\r\n\r\n<strong>Hallowmarine</strong>\r\nWhen: Oct. 29-31, 10am-6pm (last paid admission is one hour prior to closing)\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://okaquarium.org/events.php?subPageName=events\">Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks</a>\r\nGreat ready for Halloween on the high seas - <a href=\"http://okaquarium.org/\">the Oklahoma Aquarium is spooky (and salty!)</a> with carnival games, a trick-or-treat trail, haunted feed shows and plenty of pirates handing out tricks and treats. Admission is $7 per youth, $10 per adult. Members get $1 off admission.\r\n\r\n<strong>Luchaween 2010</strong>\r\nWhen: Oct. 29, 8pm\r\nWhere: Elote Cafe, 514 S. Boston Ave.\r\nDon’t miss the first exhibition match of the off season of the Elote Luchador Wrestling Federation tonight, <a href=\"http://elotetulsa.com/luchadores\">guaranteed to be the best costume party in town this Halloween weekend</a>. Look for luchador matches starting at 8pm and going strong until 11:30pm. By the way, the matches will be kid friendly from 8-10pm. Look also for costume contests throughout the night, along with cash prizes and beer merchandise from the beer sponsors at the event. Let the ELWF help you to create a Halloween to remember this year.\r\n\r\n<strong>Trunk or Treat with Tulsa Police Department</strong>\r\nWhere: Riverside Division of Tulsa Police Department, 7515 Riverside Parkway\r\nWhen: Oct. 29, 5-7pm\r\nLooking for a safe place on Halloween? Join the TPD tonight for games, candy and a Halloween safety briefing. Until 7pm.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mummy and Son Halloween Dance</strong>\r\nWhen: Oct. 29, 6pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bixby-Community-Center/111279292232877\">Bixby Community Center</a>, 211 N. Cabaniss Ave.\r\nAt this annual Mummy &amp; Son Halloween dance there will be dance competitions, and a costume contest for those who dare to dress up, too. Plenty of refreshments will be on hand. Cost is $5 per person.\r\n\r\n<strong>Tulsa Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, Oct. 30, starting at 7am\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://tulsarun.com/schedule.asp\">Downtown Tulsa</a>\r\nKids and adults alike can dress up and run in <a href=\"http://tulsarun.com/\">Tulsa\'s favorite way to burn a few hundred calories, the annual Tulsa Run</a>. Register by Saturday, Oct. 23, to pay the regular $30 to race the 5K or 15K, or $15 for the 2K fun run. It all gets started bright and early (and chilly!) the morning before Halloween, with a finish line festival, including candy bars for the kids and warm coffee and cold beer for grown-ups, waiting at the end. <a href=\"http://tulsarun.com/\">Check the Tulsa Run Web site for more details and to register</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>BooHaHa</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, Oct. 30, starting at 7am\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://brooksidetheplacetobe.com/index.php?/boo-haha.html\">Brookside, between 33rd and 49th Streets</a>\r\nStarting at 7am with a pancake breakfast at the Brookside Lion\'s Club, one of Tulsa\'s most beloved districts will be transformed into a Halloween treat for the 20th year in a row. The Kids\' Zone opens at 10am, and trick-or-treating gets into gear at noon. The children\'s costume contest will commence in the Food Pyramid parking lot at 1pm, followed by the pets\' costume contest. Stick around for the annual BooHaHa Parade at 2pm, from 33rd-49th Streets. It\'s all free and open to the public.\r\n\r\n<strong>K. Renee\'s Fall Family Carnival</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, Oct. 30, 9am\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=159604894064176&amp;index=1\">K. Renee\'s Uniform Closet</a>, 5557 E. 41st St.\r\nJoin K. Renee\'s as they spend the day in true carnival fashion. Look for clowns, bobbing for apples, face painting, cotton candy, pie-eating contest, a Jupiter Jump\", and more.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fall Festival with the Tulsa Oilers</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, Oct. 30, 11am-4pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=162773763749360&amp;index=1\">Oilers Ice Center</a>, 6413 S. Mingo Road\r\nEnjoy games, food, Jupiter Jump, slides and glow skate for only $10, skate rental included.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mommy & Me: Halloween Cupcakes</strong>\r\nWhen: 11am-2pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://maps.google.com/maps?&q=8256+E.+71st+Street,Tulsa,US\">All Things Cake</a>, 8256 E. 71st Street\r\nHead to All Things Cake with your favorite budding pastry artist and decorate cupcakes together this Saturday at this come-and-go cake party. Until 2pm. Register by calling (918) 994-4490.\r\n\r\n<strong>Skeleton Making Workshop</strong>\r\nWhen: 1pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.livingarts.org/\">Living Arts</a>, 307 E. Brady Street\r\nLiving Arts presents a workshop for anyone who would like to build a Skeleton for Dia de Los Muertos. Skeletons have been used for centuries by the Mexicans to show how people do not need to fear Death, but can actually dance and play with Death. It is a fun, cultural activity that will better enable students of all ages to understand the Celebration of Dia de Los Muertos. Erin Turner will lead the workshop. And don’t forget that on Nov. 1 Living Arts will present the annual Dia de Los Muertos Arts Festival in downtown Tulsa. The second of these three workshops is today from 1-4pm, and that’s when you’ll paint your skeleton. The third portion of the class is the actual festival, where you’ll showcase your skeleton and dance with it at the Dia de Los Muertos Arts Festival.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fall Carnival to Kick Off Fun and Games on Main</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, Oct. 30, 4-5:30pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.brokenarrowok.gov/Index.aspx?page=13&amp;recordid=3661\">Central Park Community Center</a>, 1500 S. Main Street in Broken Arrow\r\nParents with children ages 3-10 are invited to participate in this carnival where each child gets 12 free tickets to try out the games of luck and skill. Then, at 5:45pm, set the kids off on the Annual Pumpkin Hunt at the Central Park Softball Fields, just west of the Community Center. Children ages 3-8 will get a chance to run and gather as many candy-filled, pumpkin-colored plastic eggs as they can. The age groups of 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8 will each have their own field to hunt for the eggs. A golden egg will be hidden in each field, which can be redeemed for a special prize. Fun!\r\n\r\n<strong>Fun and Games on Main</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, Oct. 30, 6-8pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.brokenarrowok.gov/Index.aspx?page=13&amp;recordid=3370\">418 S. Main Street in Broken Arrow</a>\r\nIf fall\'s good for anything, it\'s a giant block party. Get it with Fun and Games on Main in Broken Arrow, where festival-goers get tons of free food from Reasor\'s, Ferguson Pontiac and Blue Bell Creameries, a rollover simulator, Broken Arrow Police Department\'s Special Ops team, Vince and Larry the Crash Dummies, McGruff the Crime Fighting Dog, a costume contest, a pumpkin-decorating contest and a petting zoo, all topped with enough candy to last you until Easter. It\'s all free and open to the public.\r\n\r\n<strong>Halloween Hysteria</strong>\r\nWhen: Oct. 30, 7pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.spiritbankeventcenter.com/\">SpiritBank Event Center</a>, 105th and Memorial (<a href=\"http://www.ticketstorm.com/event/rcokstarsocialcirclepresentshalloweenhysteria/spiritbankeventcenter/tulsa/5500/\">click here to purchase tickets</a>)\r\nRcokstar Social Circle is back with Halloween Hysteria, an ultra-hip dance party for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. Come in costume or come in street clothes and get your dance on with DJ ECCO, emcee MIKEY B & the rcokstar entertainers. Look also for beat boy battles, dance-offs, a fashion show and, of course, more. \r\n\r\n<strong>Scary Okie Karaoke</strong>\r\nWhen: Oct. 30, 7pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://maps.google.com/maps?&q=311+S.+Madison+Ave.,Tulsa,US\">The Coffee House at Youth Services of Tulsa</a>, 311 S. Madison Ave. \r\nGet free coffee, tea, wi-fi, cappuccino, hot chocolate, ping pong and, most important, karaoke and a costume contest at the Coffee House at Youth Services of Tulsa this Halloween weekend. Perfect for kids age 12-18. Until 11pm.\r\n\r\n<strong>Scary, Spooky, and Weird Soda Tasting</strong>\r\nWhen: Oct. 30, 7pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.idaredboutique.com/\">Ida Red Boutique</a>, 3336 S. Peoria Ave.\r\nTry a variety of strange and unusual sodas at the home of Tulsa’s greatest soda variety to celebrate Halloween tonight. Cost is $5. \r\n\r\n<strong>Trick or Treating at RiverWalk Crossing</strong>\r\nWhen: 8:30pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.riverwalkcrossingjenks.com/\">Riverwalk Crossing in Jenks</a>\r\nGo trick-or-treating (and maybe sneak in a little shopping, too) at RiverWalk Crossing tonight. Be sure not to miss the Hurricane Mason concert at the Amphitheater, either.\r\n\r\n<strong>SOUTHNight</strong>\r\nWhen: Oct. 31, starting at 4pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.spiritbankeventcenter.com/events.asp?id=2&pid=139&task=display&pcatid=&seldate=10/1/2010\">SpiritBank Event Center</a>, 105th and Memorial\r\nGet free (yes, free) games, fun and trick or treating for the whole family at this event, where there will also be a $5 concert featuring Seventh Day Slumber with special guest KJ-52. This event is hosted by <a href=\"http://scctulsa.com/#/whats-coming/south-night\">South Community Church</a>. \r\n\r\n<h2><strong>Halloween at the Libraries</strong></h2>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Hardesty Regional Library by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3828084764/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/3828084764_686cae2021_o.jpg\" alt=\"Hardesty Regional Library\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>A Hardesty Hallo\"Wii\"n</strong>\r\nWhen: Friday, Oct. 29, 4:30pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsalibrary.org/\">Hardesty Regional Library</a>, 8316 E. 93<sup>rd</sup> St.\r\nPlay spooky Wii games and dress as your favorite video game character for a chance to win a treat. Refreshments will be provided. This event is for ages 9-12.\r\n\r\n<h2><strong>Halloween at the Parks</strong></h2>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Pumpkin Town by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4011636243/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2435/4011636243_23daa69f39.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\n<strong>Fall Furry Scurry</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, Oct. 30, 10:30am\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.cityoftulsa.org/culture--recreation/tulsa-parks/fun-guide/holiday-and-special-events.aspx\">Hicks Park</a>, 3443 S. Mingo Road\r\nJoin the folks at Hicks for a fun-filled morning of canine cavorting. This year\'s Fall Furry Scurry will consist of a fun run for dogs and their owners. Look for a 1/2-mile fun walk and a 1-mile fun run. A few local pet-related businesses will be on hand to showcase their products and services. Stick around after the run for dog-related games and door prizes. Fun-run participants <a href=\"http://www.tulsaparks.org\">must pre-register by October 15th</a>. Registration for the fun run is $15 and includes an event t-shirt. Please call (918) 669-6355 if you have any questions or to register.','Halloween in Tulsa: For the Kids','There\'s so much going on in Tulsa this Halloween that I\'ve made three - three! - lists of activities and events so that you\'ll have the easiest and happiest time possible putting together your spooktacular itinerary for this year. I\'m going to kick things off with all the stuff the kids won\'t want to miss this Halloween season.','publish','open','open','','halloween-kids-2010','','http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/pumpkin-patches-in-tulsa/\nhttp://elotetulsa.com/luchadores','2011-10-27 08:25:56','2011-10-27 14:25:56','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=2918',0,'post','',9),(500,1,'2010-03-20 21:08:00','2010-03-20 21:08:00','Bored yet? How about some musical satire aimed at&nbsp;our local weather forecasters and&nbsp;the craziness of our weather?<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>Sung to the tune of <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_Get_Ready_(song)\">People Get Ready</a> by some members of the cast of <a href=\"http://www.tulsagridiron.org/\">the 2010 Tulsa Gridiron</a>.<br /><br /><object style=\"height: 344px; width: 425px;\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/hnvJnaDrfVE\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"><param name=\"allowScriptAccess\" value=\"always\"><src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/hnvJnaDrfVE\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowScriptAccess=\"always\" width=\"425\" height=\"344\"></object><br /><br />Sung to the tune of <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teXOPAFMOp0\">Stormy Weather</a>, again by the cast of <a href=\"http://www.tulsagridiron.org/\">the 2010 Tulsa Gridiron</a>.<br /><br /><object style=\"height: 344px; width: 425px;\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/f8cxA_uJcjA\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"><param name=\"allowScriptAccess\" value=\"always\"><src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/f8cxA_uJcjA\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowScriptAccess=\"always\" width=\"425\" height=\"344\"></object>','Videos (and Satire) for Your Snow Day Viewing Pleasure','','publish','open','open','','videos-and-satire-for-your-snow-day','','','2010-03-20 21:08:00','2010-03-20 21:08:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=500',0,'post','',0),(501,1,'2010-03-21 01:43:00','2010-03-21 01:43:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4443498273/\" title=\"Bass Pro Shop by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Bass Pro Shop\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4443498273_4a70e6c1bc.jpg\" width=\"332\" /></a></div><br />Ladies, we\'ve all been there (and, yes, a few of us had to be dragged, but we\'re feeling better now, thank you for asking) with the men in our lives. We\'ve seen the name of the place show up on our bank statements next to amounts rivaled only by what we spend at the grocery store (okay, okay, I mean the shoe store). We\'ve thought to ourselves how fabulous the cookware and clothing and furniture sections are, swearing to own up to the fact at birthday time when anyone other than our husbands ask us where to shop for our presents.<br /><br />The place I\'m writing about here is, of course, <a href=\"http://www.basspro.com/\">Bass Pro Shop</a>. <br /><br />But during the course of my relationship with the Bass Pro in our neck of the woods - it\'s in Broken Arrow, just off the Broken Arrow Expressway at 161st Street - I\'ve discovered something. There\'s an unexpected treasure trove of things for kids to do under that giant metal corrugated roof, and a trip to Bass Pro is a fabulous way to spend a rainy day or a slow afternoon. Especially when the cast iron Dutch ovens are on sale.<br /><br />Here\'s how my kid flips the party switch at the B to the P.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://www.ttownmoms.com/?page=blogs/view&amp;BLID=7896\">Get our tips on my blog at Ttownmoms.com</a>.','The World Is A Playground. Especially Bass Pro.','','publish','open','open','','world-is-playground-especially-bass-pro','','','2010-03-21 01:43:00','2010-03-21 01:43:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=501',0,'post','',2),(502,1,'2010-03-21 22:25:00','2010-03-21 22:25:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4444270908/\" title=\"Coleman Theater in Miami by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Coleman Theater in Miami\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4444270908_65fcd6f9eb.jpg\" width=\"332\" /></a></div><br />Scandalous: We spent Day Four of our Spring Break vacation out of town.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>You know, the operation of a place-based blog, it\'s a funny business. Last year I boarded two planes - one was bound for St. Louis, the other for Sacramento for a trip to Napa Valley. Upon reporting about these trips on my real estate at various social media sites, I fielded several questions asking that if by leaving I was signifying that I\'d finally fallen out of love with Tulsa.<br /><br />No, that wasn\'t the funny part. This is the funny part: I really did feel guilty. As if traveling doesn\'t help me write about my hometown, because it does. To compare and contrast is a valuable exercise, especially when I discover ways in which Tulsa can\'t be compared to or contrasted with other places.<br /><br />Miami, Oklahoma, serves up a few of those ways.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4443500271/\" title=\"Coleman Theater in Miami by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Coleman Theater in Miami\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4443500271_d586193c51.jpg\" width=\"332\" /></a></div><br />We don\'t often get to see our son\'s godparents, thanks to the facts that they live in Miami, Oklahoma, we live about 80 miles away in Tulsa and all four of us lead very busy lives. So when we get some time off and aren\'t swamped with other projects, two or the other of us make our way down the turnpike to camp out at the others\' house. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4444270908/\" title=\"Coleman Theater in Miami by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Coleman Theater in Miami\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4444270908_65fcd6f9eb.jpg\" width=\"332\" /></a></div><br />Except this time we didn\'t take the turnpike. We took Route 66, which meanders from the heart of Tulsa, a city of 386,000, northeast to Main Street Miami, a town of about 14,000.<br /><br />Surprisingly, the trip on the old highway didn\'t take much longer than the amount of time we usually spend on the turnpike.&nbsp;Plus, the drive on Route 66 was much more interesting than traveling 70 miles per hour through nothing but pastures of old barns and grazing cows.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4444270730/\" title=\"Coleman Barber Shop in Miami by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Coleman Barber Shop in Miami\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4444270730_cf824ebac9.jpg\" width=\"332\" /></a></div><br />Like downtown Tulsa, Main Street Miami, built on Route 66, is home to several thriving businesses, historic places and restoration projects. <a href=\"http://colemantheatre.org/\">The Coleman Theatre, opened on the cusp of the Great Depression</a>, is one of my favorite stops. I also love this little book and gift shop at the center of one of those big refurbishing jobs, <a href=\"http://www.chaptersmiami.com/\">Chapters, at 31 N. Main</a>. I make a point of stopping in every time I\'m in town.<br /><br />In fact, Chapters is my No. 1 source of stationery.<br /><br />Yes, I\'m a blogger who still uses stationery. And I\'m proud of it.<br /><br />I think.<br /><br />Miami is also home to some big, beautiful houses.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4451561185/\" title=\"DSC_0182 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"DSC_0182\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4451561185_e455b9d996.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />See how pretty our son\'s godparents\' house is? If you\'re looking to move to Miami anytime soon, I\'ll just have you know that it\'s for sale.<br /><br />Yeah, that\'s right. Our friends - actually, thanks to their godparent status, they\'re honorary family - are coming home to Tulsa.<br /><br />I\'m excited about their new boomeranger status, don\'t get me wrong. It\'s just, what do I do when I run out of stationery?<br /><br />You see, in some ways, Miami and Tulsa, they just don\'t compare.','What I Did On My Spring Break: Day Four','','publish','open','open','','what-i-did-on-my-spring-break-day-four','','','2010-03-21 22:25:00','2010-03-21 22:25:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=502',0,'post','',2),(503,1,'2010-03-21 23:54:00','2010-03-21 23:54:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4452581692/\" title=\"Spring Break 2010 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Spring Break 2010\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4452581692_2aa1e8c47d.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Sometimes, especially on extended breaks from school, it\'s nice to just stick close to the house.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>We grilled yummy food.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4452581198/\" title=\"Spring Break 2010 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Spring Break 2010\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4452581198_945d423ae8.jpg\" width=\"332\" /></a></div><br />And watched birds in the trees. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4452581300/\" title=\"Spring Break 2010 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Spring Break 2010\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2757/4452581300_cb42c5ca1c.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4452581692/\" title=\"Spring Break 2010 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Spring Break 2010\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4452581692_2aa1e8c47d.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Look at my Meme\'s hands. I\'ve always loved them. They\'re dainty and tiny, but they\'re really, really strong. They can open any and every stuck apple butter jar there is. They can also do intricate embroidery and quilt a consistent 12 stitches to an inch.<br /><br />If you\'ve ever tried to cram three stitches into a quarter inch, and then do the same thing in the next quarter inch and in the next and the next, you know those are some mad skills.<br /><br />We also played in the weeds. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4451807433/\" title=\"Spring Break 2010 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Spring Break 2010\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2797/4451807433_8b1f353a81.jpg\" width=\"332\" /></a></div><br />And skipped rocks. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4451807703/\" title=\"Spring Break 2010 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Spring Break 2010\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2795/4451807703_8b6ccd4580.jpg\" width=\"332\" /></a></div><br />Front walkways do well in the absence of ponds. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4452581964/\" title=\"Spring Break 2010 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Spring Break 2010\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4452581964_2b6a7d5f5d.jpg\" width=\"332\" /></a></div><br />It\'s been really nice to spend time with the ones I love.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4451807617/\" title=\"Spring Break 2010 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Spring Break 2010\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4451807617_f616e656b4.jpg\" width=\"332\" /></a></div><br />Of course, dimples make the job somewhat easier.','What I Did On My Spring Break: Day Five','','publish','open','open','','what-i-did-on-my-spring-break-day-five','','','2010-03-21 23:54:00','2010-03-21 23:54:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=503',0,'post','',1),(504,1,'2010-03-22 00:01:00','2010-03-22 00:01:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4451278823/\" title=\"Spring Break Camp Out by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Spring Break Camp Out\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4451278823_52ca0f7a94.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />After five school-free days of glorious weather, <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/03/last-hurrah.html\">Mother Nature elbowed our ribs Friday night with a four-hour, forty-degree drop in temperature</a>. Then, she tossed several inches of snow into the mix.<br /><br />Mother Nature, she laughed. We parents, we grumbled. The kids, however, said this Spring Break week couldn\'t get any better. I mean, come on - five days of perfect playground weather AND enough snow to make snowmen until school starts again on Monday? This, they said, is a plum deal. <br /><br />I\'m decidedly a parent these days, but I must agree with the kids on this one. <br /><br />We talked about going on a camping trip for this Spring Break. Unfortunately, we didn\'t get around to it until after snow made the idea of camping seem more like intense military training than a barrel of monkeys. <br /><br />There was, as with most seemingly dark and murky things, a bright side to this. <br /><br /><a href=\"http://ttownmoms.com/?page=blogs/view&amp;BLID=7907\">Read about our camping \"trip\" on my blog at Ttownmoms.com</a>.','What I Did on My Spring Break: Camping','','publish','open','open','','what-i-did-on-my-spring-break-camping','','','2010-03-22 00:01:00','2010-03-22 00:01:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=504',0,'post','',1),(505,1,'2010-03-22 14:39:00','2010-03-22 14:39:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4358787509/\" title=\"Golden Driller by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Golden Driller\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4358787509_6a96e0177a.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Tulsa weather is looking rather glorious today and tomorrow. <br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>What are you gonna get up to?','Full Recovery','','publish','open','open','','full-recovery','','','2010-03-22 14:39:00','2010-03-22 14:39:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=505',0,'post','',0),(506,1,'2010-03-22 20:12:00','2010-03-22 20:12:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3861439578/\" title=\"Tasha\'s Kid Tells All by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tasha\'s Kid Tells All\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2447/3861439578_6151e416f0.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />The parenting gig, it can be tough. Know what makes it easier for my fellow local caretakers?<br /><br /><a href=\"http://www.ttownmoms.com/\">Ttownmoms.com, a social networking site for Tulsa-area parents</a>. <br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>If you\'ve got kids and you\'ve somehow managed to not yet get involved with this busy, resourceful group of parents, it\'s extra-easy to dive in this week.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://ttownmoms.com/events/47822\">First is a play date at Whiteside Community Center</a>, at 4009 S. Pittsburgh (a few blocks west of Yale Avenue on 41st Street). It kicks off at 9:30 a.m., and it\'s an exciting time filled with every type of ball sport you can imagine, trikes, trampolines and slides. It\'s fun for kids of all ages, and for parents and grandparents it\'s a time to relax and connect with other local kiddo wranglers. Did I mention that it\'ll only set you back 50 cents per child? And that there will be free snacks and juice for the kids afterward? It\'s true. <br /><br />Second, <a href=\"http://www.ttownmoms.com/events/47252\">this Friday night is our monthly Mom\'s Night Out event</a>. This time we\'ll be washing our best non-mom jeans and heading out to <a href=\"http://www.tobykeithsbar.com/restaurant-locations/hard-rock-hotel-casino-tulsa\">Toby Keith\'s I Love This Bar and Grill in Hard Rock Casino and Hotel</a> in Catoosa (just off I-44, west of the Claremore exit - it\'s the only high-rise in Catoosa, you can\'t miss it). Appetizers are on the house, so <a href=\"http://www.ttownmoms.com/events/47252\">take a minute right now to RSVP</a>. <br /><br />You don\'t have to be signed up with Ttownmoms.com to come to these events, but why wouldn\'t you want to be linked in with a wealth of resources and buddies who love to share about the best of the best things in Tulsa to do with your kids? Plus, it\'s easy as pie to sign up. Here\'s what you do:<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4454510423/\" title=\"Ttownmoms.com How-To by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Ttownmoms.com How-To\" height=\"335\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4454510423_97a707f2a9.jpg\" width=\"458\" /></a></div><br />See where the black arrow is pointing? To the link that says, \"Sign up?\" <a href=\"http://www.ttownmoms.com/register\">Click there (or here)</a>.<br /><br />Put some letters and numbers in the appropriate boxes and Voila! All done. And look at this new toy you get to play with during nap time (click to enlarge):<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4454510427/\" title=\"Ttownmoms.com How-To by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Ttownmoms.com How-To\" height=\"277\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2794/4454510427_9a559755e5.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />See? It\'s like a mom-centric, Facebook-style profile page. You can update your status, friend other moms, read parent-relevant news, write blog posts, upload photos of your cute kiddos, send your mom friends virtual mani/pedis and more. It\'s fun. It\'s good. It\'s free.<br /><br />Mmm, free.<br /><br />See you in cyberspace, my fellow parental units!','Looking to Cut Loose, Tulsa Parents?','','publish','open','open','','looking-to-cut-loose-tulsa-parents','','','2010-03-22 20:12:00','2010-03-22 20:12:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=506',0,'post','',2),(507,1,'2010-03-23 20:30:00','2010-03-23 20:30:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457175111/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2789/4457175111_166a00552c.jpg\" width=\"353\" /></a></div><br />Please know that I\'m sorry for what I\'m about to do. I really, really am. <br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457952864/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4457952864_6d78f0000d.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />But, misery needs company. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457175111/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2789/4457175111_166a00552c.jpg\" width=\"353\" /></a></div><br />This is what I found when my son and I went to my grandparents\' last night. A few weeks ago they decided they wanted two tiny Cairn Terrier puppies, both with boundless energy, to live with them at their house. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457172021/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4457172021_89e76e87f5.jpg\" width=\"333\" /></a></div><br />\"Hey, cat! Get a load of the cutest puppy belly you ever SAW!\"<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457951088/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4457951088_4890fa121f.jpg\" width=\"332\" /></a></div><br />One glance at that puppy ear (which smells even better than it looks, by the way - the smell of puppy head is second only to the smell of human baby head), and who could blame them? <br /><br />I do blame them, though, for naming the puppies Bonnie and Clyde. I mean, come on. How stinkin\' cute is that? The puppies were cute to begin with, but the names, that\'s just pourin\' it on.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457172673/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4457172673_2bdc50d354.jpg\" width=\"333\" /></a></div><br />My grandparents\' place, just minutes from Tulsa, is perfect for puppies. There\'s lots of wide, open space for them to explore. And to work out their wiggles, of course.<br /><br />Incidentally, wide, open spaces are great for toddlers and their wiggle work, too. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457171755/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4457171755_65fceeb3c1.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457171911/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4457171911_234a58e566.jpg\" width=\"333\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457950206/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2780/4457950206_2c45835d86.jpg\" width=\"333\" /></a></div><br />It\'s even better (for, ahem, napping, cough) when they work together.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457173037/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4457173037_35278e5216.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />\"Hey, Mom? These puppies are great and all, but don\'t they know that it\'s all about me?<br /><br />\"Imma gonna go somewhere else so you can take pictures of just me, okay? We don\'t really want puppies in all of our pictures of me, do we?\"<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457950758/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4457950758_3c99694dc1.jpg\" width=\"332\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457951000/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4457951000_d2472c0114.jpg\" width=\"333\" /></a></div><br />Sorry, kiddo. It\'s no use. You\'ve made friends, and now they\'re yours forever. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457951286/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4457951286_605c8f9b75.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457173683/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4457173683_24b25e7f99.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Um...son? <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457174233/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4457174233_57a927de2d.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />\"I\'m sorry, Mom. I just really needed some alone time.\" <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457952098/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4457952098_ce0ce7fdd6.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457951722/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2751/4457951722_7c9ed827ce.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />\"Oh, Bonnie. You\'re so cute. Okay, I guess you can come in. But just you, okay?\"<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457174557/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4457174557_e37606cf5e.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457952450/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4457952450_9e6f666331.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457174775/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4457174775_20c67e0118.jpg\" width=\"373\" /></a></div><br />\"Forehead kisses, huh, Clyde? Two words: Access approved.\"<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457952694/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4457952694_bded53fcdd.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457173799/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4457173799_9b3c69457b.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />\"Wait a second here.\"<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457173883/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2727/4457173883_6dbc26481d.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />\"Hey, Mama? I\'ve done shot myself in the foot, I think.\"<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457952764/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4457952764_7330acb231.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />\"Hey, puppies. I think I\'ve changed my mind.\" <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457951828/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2426/4457951828_d58d7b7ea5.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />\"And...breathe.\" <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4457952864/\" title=\"Puppies! by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Puppies!\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4457952864_6d78f0000d.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Oh, man. <br /><br />Is it possible to have puppy fever and baby fever at the same time? Or is my heart due to explode at any moment?','1, 2, 3...Puppies!','','publish','open','open','','1-2-3puppies','','','2010-03-23 20:30:00','2010-03-23 20:30:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=507',0,'post','',3),(508,1,'2010-03-23 20:50:00','2010-03-23 20:50:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4454635367/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4454635367_b40b2585d0.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\nIf you were to take a drive through Wagoner, a small county seat about 45 miles southeast of Tulsa, and stumble upon this intersection, what would you think lies at the end of this mysterious road?\r\n\r\n<a name=\"more\"></a>This?\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4454634223/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4454634223_34ae34cbe9.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"500\" height=\"326\" /></a></div>\r\nOr this?\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4454634835/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2786/4454634835_98a954901f.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"333\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nHow about this?\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4455416332/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2752/4455416332_2f2c1503be.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\nBelieve it or not, all of this lies at the end of 732nd Road, about an hour-and-a-half\'s drive from downtown Tulsa.\r\n\r\nSo, you\'re driving down this road through the woods in eastern, rural Oklahoma. Soon, you see this:\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4455414464/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4455414464_70a0511f43.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\nAnd this.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4454635587/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4454635587_ceba72176b.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nA little bit of this.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4455414750/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4455414750_ca88901c73.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\nAnd lots of this.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4455414826/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4455414826_0e2d5fa20d.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\nSuddenly, there\'s this.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4455414904/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4455414904_5af556cbbd.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4455414964/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2725/4455414964_a67286b2e2.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nThen, some serious swank yawns before you.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4455416684/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4455416684_f227f6e0ba.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\nHey. You\'ve been on the road for awhile. I reckon you\'re hungry.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4455415380/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2684/4455415380_d7779e0426.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\nBecause the folks at The Canebrake can definitely take care of a case of the hungries.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4455415462/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4455415462_a90b83f313.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\nI should know. They invited me to lunch not too long back.\r\n\r\nWanna see what they fed me?\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4454637139/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4454637139_f374f17770.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nTo start was the Red, White and Blue Salad. While the lettuce and the berries were so fresh that I was searching the grounds outside the floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining room for the kitchen garden, I really loved the goat cheese on the salad. It had had this wonderfully mellow, creamy flavor, and I loved that it came from just a few miles away from the resort.\r\n\r\nWhile sourcing ingredients locally is the best thing a kitchen can do for the flavor of its food, it\'s also better for the environment than having it trucked or shipped or flown in from another country (or, in too many cases, another hemisphere). The Canebrake uses local ingredients for both reasons. The resort is also touts a commitment to natural and organic foods wherever feasible.\r\n\r\nEnvironmental responsibility is a huge point of pride for everyone at The Canebrake. When the owners of the land where the resort stands set out to build, they decided to refurbish and build out the horse barn already on the site rather than start from scratch. From there they used a variety of sustainable building materials and practices to build a resort that brings patrons from all over the U.S. to Oklahoma.\r\n\r\nBack to the table. After the salad came a bowl of tomato soup. I got to sample some freshly baked bread, too.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4455416240/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4455416240_e40bff2d69.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\">I may or may not have eaten an entire basket of bread on my own. I tell you this because I know I can trust you with this most sensitive information.</div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4455416436/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4455416436_69e6f54f95.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\nThen came the prosciutto-wrapped asparagus served on a bed of root vegetables.\r\n\r\nNow, I\'m super-picky about how my vegetables are cooked, especially at restaurants. I\'m an al dente kind of person, which is kind of a tough lot here in Oklahoma, it seems. I have a hard time getting vegetables cooked any way except mushy, but I felt like the folks at The Canebrake knew my plight. Not only were the veggies perfectly and evenly cooked - yeah! Even the root veggies! - but they were flavorful, interesting and, obviously, gorgeous.\r\n\r\nFor dessert was grilled pineapple and avocado ice cream.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4454637441/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4454637441_9e2aa83ce8.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nYes, avocado ice cream. And you know what? It tasted light, clean and like summer - in a word, delicious.\r\n\r\nThe dining room at The Canebrake is cool and quiet and serene. If anyone ever comes up with a way to combine a spa and a dining room, they\'d do well to do some research at the Wagoner resort.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4454636537/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2760/4454636537_dd4fc8991e.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nThese barstools, they\'re the best seats in the house. But that\'s only if you like to chat up the chef and watch him prepare your food.\r\n\r\nIt\'s the best appetizer there is.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4454636675/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4454636675_9d1f405880.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nThis seat looks pretty good, too - cozy, secluded and intimate.\r\n\r\nI think a dinner and a glass of wine at this booth is in my future. My husband\'s, too.\r\n\r\nAfter lunch I peeked in at the boutique, just down the hall from the restaurant at The Canebrake.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4455415872/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4455415872_ce19c9fb5d.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4454636745/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2784/4454636745_2ce7a380d8.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\nIf you\'re thinking, \"Okie Yoga? I\'m sorry, what?\" then I have something to tell you.\r\n\r\nDid you know The Canebrake is home to Oklahoma\'s only yoga barn?\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4454634835/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2786/4454634835_98a954901f.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"333\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nYep. It\'s true.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\">The Yoga Barn and Day Spa - constructed literally from an old horse barn, by the way, and insulated with a material not altogether different from that of which your blue jeans are made - is home to a regular selection of yoga classes, seven days a week. The building features radiant heat, cork flooring, and no-VOC paints. Cool, huh?</div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\">At the Day Spa are a variety of massage services, facials and scrubs.</div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4455416600/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4455416600_08964e3f7c.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nWhy, hello there, massage chair.\r\n\r\nAnd no, you can\'t live here (I should know - I asked). But, you can stay the night.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4454634305/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4454634305_ec223bd9e5.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a></div>\r\nThe Canebrake offers 16 rooms and suites, totaling 32 beds that can accommodate up to 40 guests. Rooms range $139 for a weekday retreat room to $294 for a weekend king suite with a jetted tub, fireplace and dining and sitting areas.\r\n\r\nPlus, as a guest, you\'re welcome to attend any of the scheduled yoga classes or hike the trails. Or, you can schedule private yoga classes, cooking demos and wine tastings. There\'s also a ropes course and an orienteering course. Golf, horseback riding, fishing, shopping and hunting options are nearby.\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">I\'m sorry, where was I? Where am I from? What\'s my name?</div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 0px;\">Between the Yoga Barn and the Day Spa and the jetted tub, I couldn\'t help but lose my train of thought there for a second.</div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4455413546/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2708/4455413546_2ef7a12f88.jpg\" alt=\"The Canebrake\" width=\"333\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nWell, would you looky there. I\'m thinking about food again. Surprise, surprise.\r\n\r\nThat\'s what Sunday brunch at The Canebrake looks like. While the restaurant is open Wednesday-Saturday for dinner service, brunch runs every week on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It\'s a slow, special way to get the week off to a smooth - and yummy - start.\r\n\r\nSpeaking of food and The Canebrake, I have something exciting to tell you. Think you\'re ready for it? Are you sitting down? Are you prepared for the tantalizing news I\'m about to share with you?\r\n\r\nYes? Okay. I\'ll tell you.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Canebrake wants to treat one lucky TDT reader to a Sunday brunch for two</strong>. To enter to win, head to the comments section on this post and <strong>regale us with a tale of the most relaxing day of your life</strong>. Write it as long or as short as you like - just make sure to leave it in the comments section on this post <strong>before Thursday, March 25, at 4 p.m.</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tasha-Does-Tulsa/403568208507\"><strong>Win two extra entries by becoming a fan of TashaDoesTulsa.com on Facebook</strong></a>. If you\'re already a fan, post about this giveaway on your profile page. Just be sure to tag me in the post so I can see it and count your extra entries.\r\n\r\nI can\'t wait to hear your tales of maxin\' and relaxin\'. Good luck!','The Canebrake. Plus, Win Some Brunch.','If you were to take a drive through Wagoner, a small county seat about 45 miles southeast of Tulsa, and stumble upon this intersection, what would you think lies at the end of this mysterious road?\r\n','publish','open','open','','canebrake-plus-win-some-brunch','','','2010-08-13 13:14:37','2010-08-13 18:14:37','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=508',0,'post','',37),(509,1,'2010-03-24 03:16:00','2010-03-24 03:16:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4458286235/\" title=\"Read to Feed Book Fair by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Read to Feed Book Fair\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2708/4458286235_fb10fdf5ce.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Ever shopped for books in a bathtub?<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4459066366/\" title=\"Read to Feed Book Fair by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Read to Feed Book Fair\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4459066366_4de5787734.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Or on a toilet? <br /><br />You know what? Don\'t answer that last one.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4458285961/\" title=\"Read to Feed Book Fair by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Read to Feed Book Fair\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4458285961_bf9d936d05.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Even if you have shopped for books on a toilet (I\'m sure the Amazon mobile site is helpful in those situations), now you can do it out in front of God and everybody, thanks to <a href=\"http://wwww.baneighbors.com/\">Broken Arrow Neighbors</a> and their Read to Feed Book Fair. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4458287121/\" title=\"Read to Feed Book Fair by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Read to Feed Book Fair\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4458287121_88ae20d5c4.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />The sale is held in a small converted house at 315 W. College. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4458287297/\" title=\"Read to Feed Book Fair by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Read to Feed Book Fair\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4458287297_62bacce437.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />I learned about the sale several weekends ago from my friend Brooke, who encouraged me to drop everything I was doing, invite a few friends and check it out.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4459064328/\" title=\"Read to Feed Book Fair by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Read to Feed Book Fair\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4459064328_5fe9fc7c89.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4458283985/\" title=\"Read to Feed Book Fair by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Read to Feed Book Fair\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2775/4458283985_c60eb58e00.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4458284049/\" title=\"Read to Feed Book Fair by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Read to Feed Book Fair\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4458284049_53accc3969.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />We book nerd girls, we has the sexy. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4458284319/\" title=\"Read to Feed Book Fair by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Read to Feed Book Fair\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4458284319_f0ced0d4c7.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />The fair was pretty packed the Friday morning we tried it out. We found books ranging from mystery to kids\' to feminist to self-help to cookbooks. <br /><br />Sometimes a few of those genres were shelved in humorous juxtaposition. <br /><br /><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4459065302/\" title=\"Read to Feed Book Fair by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Read to Feed Book Fair\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4459065302_f4f3eb4d72.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a><br /><br />A copy of A Purpose Driven Life and Defending Traditional Marriage sandwiched between two Betty Friedan books? <br /><br />Heh. <br /><br />Check out the kids\' books selection: <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4458284465/\" title=\"Read to Feed Book Fair by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Read to Feed Book Fair\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2731/4458284465_59bfe250e2.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4458284683/\" title=\"Read to Feed Book Fair by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Read to Feed Book Fair\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4458284683_80b98dc076.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />I love vintage cookbooks, but I think I love vintage children\'s books more.<br /><br />I mean, I love vintage books for children. Not vintage children with books. That just sounds weird.<br /><br />Right, buddy? <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4459064918/\" title=\"Read to Feed Book Fair by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Read to Feed Book Fair\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4459064918_061d71b48d.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />He agrees because I am the holder of the animal crackers. And I\'m okay with that. <br /><br />Look! \'80s and \'90s magazines.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4459065108/\" title=\"Read to Feed Book Fair by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Read to Feed Book Fair\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4459065108_e3dc2bda08.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />When I was little until I was about 22 or so I pronounced the word magazines as \"mazagines.\" <br /><br />Watch. Now I\'ll say mazagines on the radio this week. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4458284909/\" title=\"Read to Feed Book Fair by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Read to Feed Book Fair\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2702/4458284909_5af1ed5e36.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Oh, romance novels, how I wish I had time to read you. <br /><br />I really think I could get into romance novels. At the very least I could expand my vocabulary of adverbs. <br /><br />Here was my find of the day: <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4459067122/\" title=\"Read to Feed Book Fair by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Read to Feed Book Fair\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4459067122_6d0b8b6339.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />I picked it up because I saw the word hamburger, but then I remembered having read this book at some point. It\'s a teen saga, and I\'ve always been a sucker for teen sagas (hello, Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley High), so the odds are that I\'ve read it once or twice. <br /><br />For half a buck, it was mine. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4458284209/\" title=\"Read to Feed Book Fair by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Read to Feed Book Fair\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2698/4458284209_4fd9012a1e.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />And these aren\'t even the prices on half-price day. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4458284119/\" title=\"Read to Feed Book Fair by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Read to Feed Book Fair\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4458284119_abda2c5300.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />The next Read to Feed Book Fair is April 2nd and 3rd (next Friday and Saturday), again at 315 W. College. Sale hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Half-price day is Saturday, April 10, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. <br /><br />Broken Arrow Neighbors is a charitable organization headquartered just around the corner from the sale. It provides basic needs assistance to more than 4,000 financially disadvantaged people in the Broken Arrow and Coweta areas. <br /><br />Thanks to Broken Arrow Neighbors, people in need get help with everything from rent to gas to legal aid to food assistance. Book sale proceeds go into the pot to fund these much-needed services. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4458284683/\" title=\"Read to Feed Book Fair by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Read to Feed Book Fair\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4458284683_80b98dc076.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />As if I needed to give you fellow nerds out there another reason to stock up on old books.','Toilet Reading','','publish','open','open','','toilet-reading','','','2010-03-24 03:16:00','2010-03-24 03:16:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=509',0,'post','',12),(510,1,'2010-03-24 18:15:00','2010-03-24 18:15:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4459666175/\" title=\"Fun with the Periodontist by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Fun with the Periodontist\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4459666175_1b823d46ec.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />So I was sitting in traffic one day, biting my nails as was per usual for me back in my first few years of college, when I slipped.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>The nail on my left thumb slid down to wick away a goodly portion of the gum tissue attached to one of my lower front teeth.<br /><br />That hurt. It was also one of the grossest things I\'ve ever been part of, which is saying a lot. My first kiss (a catastrophe among catastrophes - the worst kiss in the history of the species), that first real, fuming diaper courtesy of your otherwise sweet-smelling newborn, that slimy feeling of not having braces on your teeth for the first time in three years - all nasty stuff. But scraping a bit of highly sensitive tissue completely away from one of my teeth with my bare hands topped them all. <br /><br />After a several-years-long case of denial and an express recommendation from <a href=\"http://www.theperfectsmiletulsa.com/\">the first dentist that treated me like more than just a heifer in a cattle call</a>, I made an appointment with a periodontist. Thanks to the way our dental insurance works, though, I had to get my name on the calender of a doctor outside of Tulsa\'s city limits. It\'s not something I wanted to do - I try to spend my money in places as close to my house as possible - but paying 100 percent of my dental bills out of pocket is not something I generally do for fun. <br /><br /><a href=\"http://owassoperio.com/\">That I lucked out and got a KRMG listener for a periodontist helped</a>. I told Dr. David Stapleton, DDS, that if he was mean to me I would say even meaner things about him on the radio. <br /><br />Actually, I didn\'t tell him that. But I think it was implied. <br /><br />Also, what\'s with my luck in finding doctors with names that insinuate their maniacal, caricatured counterparts? I mean, Dr. Kropp is my son\'s urologist (it\'s okay, guys, you can say it - yikes!). And Dr. Stapleton, he\'s my periodontist. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4459666175/\" title=\"Fun with the Periodontist by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Fun with the Periodontist\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4459666175_1b823d46ec.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />*shiver*<br /><br />Anyway. <br /><br />The surgery required to fix what ails me has two parts. The first part is a little procedure called a frenectomy. That sounds dirty, doesn\'t it? That\'s because it is. Of course, I\'m going to tell you why. <br /><br />You know that flap of skin between your bottom lip and your gums? It\'s a totally useless piece of nothing. It\'s like your appendix or your pinkie toe or your tonsils. It has no place in this world, really, and you could do with out it. <br /><br />I should know. After my frenectomy this morning, I don\'t have one anymore. It\'s so useless that I didn\'t even ask to keep it as a souvenir. Adios, weird, wing-like flap-o-skin. See you on the other side. <br /><br />There was some blood. More than I expected to see, actually. And before I took my prescription-strength Ibuprofen (no, you don\'t get any super happy fun pills with this surgery), it hurt. Plus, I think there\'s gonna be some swelling. Which will be very exciting for my fellow bloggers to observe and mock tomorrow night at <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=388606996419&amp;ref=ts\">the Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition</a>. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4460445728/\" title=\"Fun with the Periodontist by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Fun with the Periodontist\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4460445728_ae526e9ffa.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />That\'s my info sheet on what I can and cannot do today in my post-op condition. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4459666313/\" title=\"Fun with the Periodontist by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Fun with the Periodontist\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4459666313_a72858b527.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />No smoking or drinking, Dr. Stapleton? But what am I supposed to DO all day? <br /><br />What I meant to say there was, no drinks for me at the Blogger Meetup tomorrow night. Dang it.<br /><br />You bloggers, feel free to have a round in honor of our friend, my fallen frenulum. Throw in three cheers while you\'re at it.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4460445876/\" title=\"Fun with the Periodontist by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Fun with the Periodontist\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2762/4460445876_ef822efe33.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Pureed vegetables and mashed bananas? When I\'ll be at the Blue Dome Diner in very, very close proximity to chicken friend steak? <br /><br />Harumph. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4459666313/\" title=\"Fun with the Periodontist by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Fun with the Periodontist\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4459666313_a72858b527.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Honestly, I\'m glad that I\'m finally getting this taken care of. I\'m even more glad that, thanks to Dr. Stapleton, I\'m not going to lose a high-profile tooth. Because that could really stunt my career as a Sarah Palin impersonator.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4460586066/\" title=\"Me and Sarah, we\'re like twins. by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Me and Sarah, we\'re like twins.\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4460586066_9861647763.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">And that\'d be a cryin\' shame.&nbsp;</div><br /><i>Palin photo cred goes to John Stancavage. </i><a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=46&amp;articleid=20100314_46_E1_Ifgett742909\"><i>Read John\'s latest editorial in the business section of the Tulsa World</i></a><i>.</i>','Fun With the Periodontist','','publish','open','open','','fun-with-periodontist','','','2010-03-24 18:15:00','2010-03-24 18:15:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=510',0,'post','',1),(511,1,'2010-03-24 21:25:00','2010-03-24 21:25:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3819856730/\" title=\"Blue Dome Diner by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Blue Dome Diner\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2602/3819856730_ea7df088eb.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Anyone who has eaten at <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1619648435&amp;ref=ts\">Blue Dome Diner</a> knows that it\'s not your typical, run-of-the-mill diner.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3819052417/\" title=\"Blue Dome Diner by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Blue Dome Diner\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2645/3819052417_cb478f883a.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />The diner food there is choice, of course. But there\'s a finer, gourmet side to this Second Street chow stop and caterer. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3819051461/\" title=\"Blue Dome Diner by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Blue Dome Diner\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3819051461_f7ae7cc051.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />But, it\'s not the hoity-toity, display-case-only type of gourmet food. <br /><br />It\'s the kind you wanna eat with your fingers. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3819856132/\" title=\"Blue Dome Diner by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Blue Dome Diner\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/3819856132_a15f64292b.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />As most of you know, <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=388606996419&amp;ref=ts\">the second-ever Tulsa Blogger Meetup will convene at Blue Dome Diner</a>, at 313 E. Second (in downtown Tulsa on Second Street between Detroit and Elgin Avenues) tomorrow night. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.<br /><br />To cut down on confusion, hurt feelings and general anarchy, Brian and Jennifer, the catering and culinary geniuses at Blue Dome Diner, have offered us a killer, all-house-made catered menu.<br /><br />Check out the options:<br /><ul><li>Black Bean Burger (vegetarian)</li><li>Turkey Burger</li><li>Traditional Burger</li><li>Or, one of each as a sliders plate</li></ul>Sides:<br /><ul><li>Blue Dome Diner\'s famous Tabouli</li><li>Potato Salad</li><li>Veggie pasta salad</li><li>Home fries</li></ul>See? A little something yummy for every tummy. <b>Each plate with a burger choice and a side is $10</b>, including water, tea or pop.<br /><br /><b>What I need you to do, Tulsa bloggers, is this:</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><ul><li>Step 1: Decide which burger you want or if you want the sliders plate.</li><li>Step 2: Choose your side.</li><li>Step 3: <b><a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">E-mail me your order</a>&nbsp;(simply click the link) and <span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: red;\">do it quickly</span><a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\"></a></b>.</li></ul><br />We want to follow the advice of <a href=\"http://www.artofmanliness.com/\">our speaker for the evening, Mr. Brett McKay of The Art of Manliness</a>, and be the best guests the Blue Dome Diner has ever seen. A great way to do this would be to <b>have our orders in by midnight tonight, March 24</b>.<br /><br />I know that\'s short notice, but I wouldn\'t lay it on you guys if I didn\'t know you could pull it off. And I know you can. So here it is.<br /><br />A great way to keep me happy will be to bring sufficient funds with you to buy the meal you order. If you place an order tonight and tomorrow unforeseen circumstances arise to prevent you from consuming your delicious Blue Dome Diner supper and rubbing elbows with the best bloggers in Tulsa, Oklahoma, please&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">e-mail me right away</a>&nbsp;so I can adjust our ticket.<br /><br /><b>On parking</b>: There should be plenty of it along Second Street, as well as on Elgin Avenue and Detroit Avenue. If turnout at this event is anything like it was at the first Tulsa Blogger Meetup, you might have to walk a tiny bit, but not far.<br /><br />Cool? Cool.<br /><br />See y\'all downtown tomorrow night!','Order Up: Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Foodie Edition','','publish','open','open','','order-up-tulsa-blogger-meetup-foodie','','','2010-03-24 21:25:00','2010-03-24 21:25:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=511',0,'post','',2),(512,1,'2010-03-25 05:01:00','2010-03-25 05:01:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4461125472/\" title=\"Molly Wizenburg and A Homemade Life by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Molly Wizenburg and A Homemade Life\" height=\"334\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4461125472_5789b11a54.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />I\'ve been holding a little secret under my hat for the past few weeks. <br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>Most everyone in the local bibliophile world knows <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=350480897338&amp;ref=ts\">Molly Wizenburg is coming to Tulsa next week</a>. She\'ll be at the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, at 1304 N. Kenosha (<a href=\"http://www.cfbeo.org/documents/directions.pdf\">click here for a map</a>), on Thursday, April 1, to talk about her book, A Homemade Life. <br /><br />What few people know is that I get to introduce her. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4461125536/\" title=\"Molly Wizenburg by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Molly Wizenburg\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4461125536_f21eae5585.jpg\" width=\"332\" /></a></div><br />Which is hilarious, really. <a href=\"http://orangette.blogspot.com/\">This Oklahoma-born, award-winning blogger and author, she needs no introduction</a>. Even so, I was asked to get up and say a few words. <br /><br />In my introduction I want to mention what first brought me to the blog Orangette. I want to talk about which recipe of Molly\'s I first made in my very own kitchen, about how I felt as I read and cooked my way through A Homemade Life.<br /><br />And I\'ve been thinking that I might talk about poop a little. I\'d be dishonest not to, and you\'ll find out why at the book signing.<br /><br />I hope Molly doesn\'t mind. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4461125472/\" title=\"Molly Wizenburg and A Homemade Life by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Molly Wizenburg and A Homemade Life\" height=\"334\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4461125472_5789b11a54.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />If you\'d like to meet Molly and hear what she has to say about food and life (read: a lot of beautiful, funny, poignant things), don\'t miss this event. It starts at 7 p.m., and all you need to get in are at least two canned food items for a donation to <a href=\"http://www.cfbeo.org/\">our host, CFBEO</a>. Copies of Molly\'s book will be available for purchase at the event. <br /><br />Or, you could win one of two free copies, <a href=\"http://www.booksmarttulsa.com/\">thanks to BookSmart Tulsa</a>.<br /><br />Here\'s what you do to enter: <br /><br />1. Head to the comments section of this post.<br />2. Share with us one of your most cherished food memories. <br />3. Submit the comment before Sunday, March 28, at 4 p.m.<br /><br />That\'s it! Easy, huh? <br /><br />I\'d like to start, if y\'all don\'t mind.<br /><br />I went to lots of camps when I was a kid. At the end of the last day of summer camp one year my grandfather picked me up in his candy-apple-red, 1948 Mercury Convertible. We headed home, chrome gleaming the entire way, to start supper. He\'d already taught me how to peel potatoes without a peeler and how to brown hamburger. But that day we picked apples from a tree near the garage where he kept his classic cars, and together we made dozens of these small, fried apple pies. I\'m sure my grandma didn\'t know what she\'d do with so many pies, but I\'ll never forget that afternoon I spent in my grandparents\' kitchen with my Papa, folding and frying pie after pie after pie. And sampling a few, of course.<br /><br />Now you try. <br /><br />See you at the signing. Don\'t forget your canned food items. You might want to pack an extra hanky, too. You\'ll need it if you shake hands with me. My palms get a bit slick when I get to introduce the blogger behind what the London Times deemed as the best food blog in the world. <br /><br />Gulp. <br /><br /><i>Portrait photo by Kyle Johnson. </i>','A Homemade Life. Two Free Copies Here at TDT.','','publish','open','open','','homemade-life-two-free-copies-here-at','','','2010-03-25 05:01:00','2010-03-25 05:01:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=512',0,'post','',11),(3608,1,'2010-11-10 17:41:53','2010-11-10 22:41:53','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4109884404/\" title=\"Philbrook Museum Gardens by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2677/4109884404_291e7acc9c.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Philbrook Museum Gardens\" /></a>\n\nWelcome to Tulsa Kids Day Out, Second-Edition-Ever Edition! You\'re really gonna love the featured event this week. Know how I know? Because thousands (and thousands and thousands) of other Tulsa families do, too.\n\nGet out your calendars, parents, and <a href=\"http://www.tulsakids.com/?q=tulsa-kids-day-out-free-second-saturday-philbrook-museum\">read all about it on my blog at TulsaKids.com</a>.','Tulsa Kids Day Out (Second-Edition-Ever Edition)','You\'re really gonna love the featured event this week. Know how I know? Because thousands (and thousands and thousands) of other Tulsa families do, too.','inherit','open','open','','3582-revision','','','2010-11-10 17:41:53','2010-11-10 22:41:53','',3582,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/11/3582-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5202,1,'2011-01-17 16:56:54','2011-01-17 21:56:54','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3363\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=3363\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3363\" title=\"Tulsa Run\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/tulsarun.jpg\" alt=\"Tulsa Run\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nTailgating, American Idol legends and barbeque beef brisket - those things, Oklahoma can do.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to taking care of our health, though? Not so much.\r\n\r\nWe Oklahomans rank near the bottom of the stack in nearly every health indicator - weight, diet, smoking, diabetes, heart disease, cancer - and the list goes on.\r\n\r\nI\'m no health guru. In fact, on most days I\'d rather set fire to my indoor recumbent bike and use the flame to cook a roast and potatoes than ride it. But since the odds of healthfulness are stacked against little Okie me, I try to combine working out with fun and excitement as often as possible.\r\n\r\nThe way I most enjoy most to do that is to sign up for Oklahoma 5Ks, 10Ks and, most recently, a half marathon. Our state plays host to several marathons, too, all of them favorites amongst our surprisingly large, active and tightly knit runner\'s crowd here in Tulsa.\r\n\r\nHere\'s a list of pre-summer races in our neck of the woods. All you have to do is pick a race, click the appropriate buttons and get yourself registered - there are even a few races in which the kids can get involved. Then, check the bottom of this post for resources on training and more info on exactly what you\'ve gotten yourself into (read: a much smaller pair of pants).\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<h2>February Races</h2>\r\n<strong>Sweetheart Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Feb. 12\r\nWhere: Mohawk Park\r\nRaces: 5K, 10K and 20K\r\nDetails: <a href=\"http://www.fleetfeettulsa.com/sweetheart-run\">FleetFeetTulsa.com</a>\r\nRegister: <a href=\"https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=4246\">Online</a>, in person at Fleet Feet Tulsa, at 61st/Yale and in the Blue Dome District at 2nd/Elgin\r\nWhy you should run this race: Because you get to run it with a partner, whether it\'s the love of your life or the dude who shares a cubicle with you at work. Plus, all participants are treated to a free pancake breakfast. Beat that.\r\n\r\n<strong>Valentine\'s Day Poker Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Feb. 12\r\nWhere: Lee Elementary, 21st and Boston\r\nRaces: Five-mile run\r\nDetails: <a href=\"http://www.runnersworldtulsa.com/\">RunnersWorldTulsa.com</a>\r\nRegister: <a href=\"https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=4115\">Online</a> or at Runners World Tulsa, 43rd and Peoria\r\nWhy you should run this race: Because poker races are tons-o-fun. Here\'s how they work: For every mile of the race you complete, you get a playing card. Whoever has the best hand at the end of the race gets first pick at a table full of awesome gifts. It\'s like game night and workout time go together and made a baby - a sweaty baby, but still.\r\n\r\n<strong>Post Oak Lodge Trail Challenge</strong>\r\nWhen: Feb. 26 and 27\r\nWhere: Post Oak Lodge\r\nRaces: Ready? 50K, 25K, 10K, half marathon, marathon and just about any combo of two of these events (woah.)\r\nDetails: <a href=\"http://www.postoakrun.com/\">PostOakRun.com</a>\r\nRegister: <a href=\"https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=3542\">Online</a>\r\nWhy you should run this race: FIrst of all? Everyone who finishes gets an automatic bad-ass award. Second, this run is where you\'ll find some of the most beautiful sights and vistas in town. The beauty of the rolling Osage Hills are second to none.\r\n<h2>March Races</h2>\r\n<strong>St. Patrick\'s Day 5K</strong>\r\nWhen: March 12\r\nWhere: Start line at 4320 S. Peoria Ave.\r\nRaces: 5K, one-mile fun run\r\nDetails: <a href=\"http://www.specialolympicsoklahoma.org/StPatricks5KRun.html\">SpecialOlympicsOklahoma.org</a>\r\nRegister: <a href=\"https://www.signmeup.com/site/online-event-registration/73272\">Online</a>, in person at Runners World Tulsa, 43rd and Peoria\r\nWhy you should run this race: Because you\'re going to have to find some way to burn off enough calories to make up for all of the social lubricant you\'ll consume later this week, that\'s why. Plus, all proceeds benefit the Special Olympics of Oklahoma.\r\n\r\n<strong>Snake Run</strong>\r\nWhen: March 19\r\nWhere: Turkey Mountain\r\nRaces: 3-hour or 6-hour\r\nDetails: <a href=\"http://www.tatur.org/\">Tatur.org</a>\r\nRegister: <a href=\"https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=3389\">Tatur.org</a>\r\nWhy you should run this race: Because it\'s one of the best intros to trail running in northeastern Oklahoma, even if the name of the run has more to do with the shape of a snake than actual snakes on the trail. Plus, Turkey Mountain is an urban wilderness area. Which sounds wild and untamed and awesome. Like a trail full of snakes.\r\n<h2>April Races</h2>\r\n<strong>Lake McMurtrey</strong>\r\nWhen: April 2\r\nWhere: Stillwater\r\nRaces: 12K, 25K, 50K\r\nDetails: <a href=\"http://www.tatur.org/\">Tatur.org</a>\r\nRegister: <a href=\"https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=3384\">Online</a>\r\nWhy you should run this race: Not only is this a good training run for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon (see below), but it\'s also a great excuse to hit the road and check out what\'s going on over in Stilly. Plus, there\'s gonna be dinner. And dinner is good.\r\n<h2>May Races</h2>\r\n<strong>Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon</strong>\r\nWhen: May 1\r\nWhere: Oklahoma City\r\nRaces: Marathon, half-marathon, marathon relay, 5K and kids\' marathon\r\nDetails: <a href=\"http://www.okcmarathon.com/\">OKCMarathon.com</a>\r\nRegister: <a href=\"http://www.okcmarathon.com/2011Registration/tabid/162/Default.aspx\">Online, Mail-In</a>\r\nWhy you should run this race: The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon has a fantastic reputation for its sense of reverence, respect for those who lost their lives on April 19, 1995, and community. Every Oklahoman should run this race at least once in his/her lifetime.\r\n<h2>Training Resources</h2>','Get Healthy, Oklahoma: A List of Local Spring Races','Tailgating, American Idol legends and barbeque beef brisket - those things, Oklahoma can do. When it comes to taking care of our health, though? Not so much.','inherit','open','open','','5194-revision-4','','','2011-01-17 16:56:54','2011-01-17 21:56:54','',5194,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/01/5194-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(514,1,'2010-03-25 17:35:00','2010-03-25 17:35:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4462093387/\" title=\"Job Creation by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Job Creation\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4462093387_af79ea94ec.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br /><blockquote>\"That\'s why I say I, like every American I\'m speaking with, we\'re ill about this position that we have been put in. Where it is the taxpayers looking to bail out. But ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health care reform that is needed to help shore up our economy. <b>Um, helping, oh, it\'s got to be about job creation, too.</b>\" -Sarah Palin</blockquote><br />No, I wasn\'t counting on bathing the dog, bathing the baby, vacuuming the floors and cleaning out the fireplace this morning. But, thanks to the <b>Toddler Job Creation Program</b>, that\'s exactly what I got to do.<br /><br />Here\'s an equation to illustrate:<br /><br />[(Awake two-year-old) - (Pixar-sponsored distraction)] + fruit juice at snack time + jack russell terrier (thirty seconds of mom updating her blog / fireplace full of ashes left over from last weekend\'s snowy weather) = &nbsp;MOMMY JOB CREATION<br /><br />Go ahead. Put it into your calculator. Or, ask Sarah to help you.&nbsp;The numbers all work out in the end.','Job Creation','','publish','open','open','','job-creation','','','2010-03-25 17:35:00','2010-03-25 17:35:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=514',0,'post','',4),(515,1,'2010-03-25 19:20:00','2010-03-25 19:20:00','Just a reminder: It\'s tonight.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4434894373/\" title=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup 2 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup 2\" height=\"800\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4434894373_f26f2f993a_o.jpg\" width=\"517\" /></a></div><br />See you there, my fellow bloggers, blogger wannabes and the blog curious. Come one, come all for great food and even better banter.','TONIGHT: Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition','','publish','open','open','','tonight-tulsa-blogger-meetup-second','','','2010-03-25 19:20:00','2010-03-25 19:20:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=515',0,'post','',0),(517,1,'2010-03-26 19:05:00','2010-03-26 19:05:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Me, Downtown by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3958218147/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2520/3958218147_359906463b.jpg\" alt=\"Me, Downtown\" width=\"333\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\nAs someone who blogs about things to do in Tulsa, I field lots of questions about the city and all the stuff there is to do within its borders.\r\n\r\n<a name=\"more\"></a>While I\'m cool with answering these questions on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tasha-Does-Tulsa/403568208507?ref=ts\">Facebook</a>, <a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/tashadoestulsa\">Twitter</a> and <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">by e-mail</a>, I\'d like to start answering a couple of them per week with a weekend post <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/\">here at TDT</a>. I\'m sure the folks who pose the questions aren\'t the only ones who would benefit from their answers.\r\n\r\nLet\'s get this thing started.\r\n\r\n<strong>Q: My anniversary is tomorrow night/I have a big first date coming up this weekend. Got any ideas on things we could do in Tulsa to celebrate/to get to know one another?</strong>\r\n\r\nA: This is one of the most common, most-asked questions here at TDT. You Tulsans, you like to go on dates, whether it\'s to celebrate or to prove that you\'re someone worth spending lots of time and, potentially, a mortgage payment with in the near future.\r\n\r\nThe short answer is, of course, yes, there are scads of things you can to in Tulsa to rev up the romance.\r\n\r\nNow, here\'s the long answer. Whether you\'re celebrating one or 51 years together, and especially if you\'re going out on your first date, there are tons of things to do here in the Tulsa area that are sure to please couples looking for fun and memorable goings-on.\r\n\r\nLet me start by listing<strong> five romantic things to do in Tulsa, anytime</strong>.\r\n\r\n<strong>1. <a href=\"http://www.philbrook.org/\">Visit Philbrook Museum</a>.</strong> There\'s a reason why every other bride in Tulsa wants to get married at Philbrook. It\'s simply bursting with romantic vibes. Be sure to check out the gardens and La Villa Restaurant.\r\n<strong>2. <a href=\"http://www.tulsagardencenter.com/\">Have a picnic lunch at Woodward Park</a>.</strong> Pick up something swanky from Stonehorse Cafe in Utica Square or a couple of burgers from Weber\'s Root Beer on Brookside and camp out in one of Tulsa\'s oldest, most beautiful parks, at 21st Street and Peoria Avenue. See below for tips on where in Woodward Park to make out.\r\n<strong>3. <a href=\"http://www.uticasquare.com/\">Stroll Utica Square</a>.</strong> Have dinner at the Polo Grill and walk Utica Square hand in hand. Ladies, if you\'re lucky, you might be treated to a stop at fine jeweler Bruce G. Weber. Insider\'s tip: It\'s in your best interest to make your plan of acquisition before you arrive.\r\n<strong>4. <a href=\"http://www.oxleynaturecenter.org/\">Take a hike through Oxley Nature Center</a>.</strong> Go at dawn or go at dusk. Either way, it\'s an easy way to focus on each other and reconnect with nature at the same time.\r\n<strong>5. <a href=\"http://www.drive-ins.com/detail/oktadmi\">Go to a movie at Admiral Twin Drive-In</a></strong>. With the theater celebrating its 60th anniversary this summer, who knows how many Tulsans have been conceived there. Am I right?\r\n\r\nAlso, be sure to check my weekly listing of weekend things going on in Tulsa. Find it every Friday morning in the right sidebar.\r\n\r\nCouples generally like to visit a restaurant to share a nice meal in celebration of an anniversary. <strong>Some of Tulsa\'s most romantic restaurants include</strong>:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. The Tavern. </strong>Home of one of the best burgers in town, plus a swoon-worthy atmosphere in Tulsa\'s bustling Brady District.\r\n<strong>2. <a href=\"http://palacetulsa.com/\">Palace Cafe</a>.</strong> Get private booth seating and low lighting and nibble on everything from gourmet lobster corndogs to daily catches and steaks. The food, as scores of natives know, is some of the best in the region.\r\n<strong>3. Juniper</strong>. Featured in <em>Saveur Magazine</em> as part of the annual Saveur 100. And, I\'ll leave it at that.\r\n<strong>4. Polo Grill</strong>. A perennial classic, found in Utica Square.\r\n<strong>5. <a href=\"http://www.quiktrip.com/\">QuikTrip</a>.</strong> There\'s nothing like being a newlywed without a pot to you-know-what in and sharing a taquito by moonlight to celebrate that first anniversary. Not that I would know anything about this.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/02/where-to-eat-in-tulsa-for-valentines.html\">Get more romantic restaurant recommendations for the Tulsa area here</a>.\r\n\r\nIf you\'d like to close a magical evening with a kiss to match, take heed of <strong>these tips for finding make out spots in Tulsa</strong>:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Any place with a panoramic view of the city.</strong> Chandler Park, the Osage Hills area and the hills of South Tulsa all come to mind. Simply park and smooch. But keep your clothes on - it\'s the law.\r\n<strong>2. The Center of the Universe.</strong> There\'s nothing quite like sharing a kiss in the historical center of the city, off of Second Street just north of the BOK tower. The sonic phenomenon just adds to the romance. Near the fountain in Centennial Park at 6th and Boston works great, too.\r\n<strong>3. Woodward Park.</strong> Head to the fountain in the Rose Garden. Or, take a short walk through the azalea gardens on the north side of the park. Lip locks are bound to ensue.\r\n<strong>4. Riverparks.</strong> Talk a long, sunset walk along the edge of the Arkansas River. If it\'s summertime, grab a sno cone. Then, share flavors the old-fashioned way. Find Riverparks just west of Riverside Drive.\r\n<strong>5. The Phantasmagoria at Bell\'s Amusement Park.</strong> Except that it doesn\'t exist anymore. Much to my heart\'s chagrin. [<strong>EDIT//</strong>You can now find pieces of the uber-romantic Phantasmagoria at The Max Retropub - cool, huh?]\r\n\r\nGot your own tips on how to get your romance on in Tulsa? Leave \'em in the comments.\r\n\r\n<em>Originally published March 26, 2010</em>','Romantic Stuff to Do in Tulsa: TDT Friday Advice Column','My anniversary is tomorrow night/I have a big first date coming up this weekend. Got any ideas on things we could do in Tulsa to celebrate/to get to know one another? This is one of the most common, most-asked questions here at TDT.','publish','open','open','','romantic-stuff-to-do-in-tulsa','','','2013-04-17 19:54:16','2013-04-18 01:54:16','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=517',0,'post','',12),(13068,1,'2013-04-25 07:22:31','2013-04-25 13:22:31','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2013/04/tulsas-woody-guthrie-center-opening-weekend-events-guide/woody-guthrie/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-13069\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/woody-guthrie-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"Woody Guthrie Park Okemah Oklahoma\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-13069\" /></a>\r\n\r\nThe time has finally come: A portion of the archives of legendary folk singer/songwriter Woody Guthrie—including the original, handwritten version of Guthrie’s landmark anthem, “This Land Is Your Land”—will be available for viewing for the first time at <a href=\"http://WoodyGuthrieCenter.org/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>the grand opening of the Woody Guthrie Center in downtown Tulsa this weekend</strong></a>. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\nAs part of the opening, the museum, as well as Guthrie Green, will host a weekend\'s worth of fun, starring big-name musicians and those important to the Guthrie Archive. <a href=\"http://thislandpress.com/04/24/2013/guide-woody-guthrie-center-opening-weekend-events/\" target=\"_blank\">Get the full list of free opening-weekend events and concerts at ThisLandPress.com</a>. ','Tulsa\'s Woody Guthrie Center: Opening Weekend Events Guide','As part of the opening of the Woody Guthrie Center in downtown Tulsa, a weekend\'s worth of free events will flood the museum with visitors, as well as Guthrie Green with concert goers.  ','publish','open','open','','tulsas-woody-guthrie-center-opening-weekend-events-guide','','','2013-04-25 07:22:32','2013-04-25 13:22:32','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=13068',0,'post','',0),(13057,1,'2013-04-19 07:00:54','2013-04-19 13:00:54','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=8712\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8712\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-8712\" title=\"Oklahoma Sign at Caz\'s Chowhouse Tulsa Oklahoma\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/DSC_0150-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Oklahoma Sign at Caz\'s Chowhouse Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLooking for the list of the most exciting events and art, music, free stuff to do and fun for the kids in Tulsa this weekend?\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\nAs featured every Friday on <a href=\"http://www.newson6.com/category/118553/six-in-the-morning-main\" target=\"_blank\">Six in the Morning</a>, check out the list of the best things to do this weekend at <a href=\"http://www.thislandpress.com/events\">ThisLandPress.com, a state-wide list of fun and entertainment with someone for everyone</a>.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2013/04/guide-17-best-oklahoma-festivals-for-april/\" target=\"_blank\">Top April Festivals and Things to Do in Oklahoma</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://thislandpress.com/04/18/2013/guide-oklahomas-best-music-festivals/\" target=\"_blank\">Top Oklahoma Music Festivals</a> for your spring and summer</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://thislandpress.com/events/?events-category=weekend-things-to-do-oklahoma\" target=\"_blank\">Weekend events in Oklahoma</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://thislandpress.com/events/?events-category=free-stuff-to-do-oklahoma\" target=\"_blank\">Free events in Oklahoma</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://thislandpress.com/events/?events-category=date-night-ideas-oklahoma\" target=\"_blank\">Oklahoma date-night ideas</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://thislandpress.com/events/?events-category=music-nightlife-concerts-oklahoma\" target=\"_blank\">The best live music in Oklahoma</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://thislandpress.com/events/?events-category=kids-families-oklahoma\" target=\"_blank\">Things to do with the kids in Oklahoma</a></li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://thislandpress.com/events/?events-category=art-theatre-oklahoma\" target=\"_blank\">Oklahoma\'s best of stage (theatre!)</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>HEY. ARE YOU IN OKC?</strong> Or will you be for the weekend? We list plenty of events in your part of the state, too. <a href=\"http://www.thislandpress.com/events\" target=\"_blank\">Simply visit our Events page and browse for events labeled OKC</a>, or search for events near you by telling us your zip code.\r\n\r\nDon\'t see your favorite event? No sweat—we can fix that. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">Kindly send details</a>.','The best things to do in Tulsa this weekend from This Land Press','','publish','open','open','','the-best-things-to-do-in-tulsa-this-weekend-from-this-land-press','','http://thislandpress.com/events/?events-category=music-nightlife-concerts-oklahoma\nhttp://thislandpress.com/events/?events-category=kids-families-oklahoma\nhttp://thislandpress.com/events/?events-category=art-theatre-oklahoma\nhttp://www.thislandpress.com/events\nhttp://thislandpress.com/03/05/2013/guide-best-st-patricks-day-parties-in-oklahoma/\nhttp://thislandpress.com/events/?events-category=free-stuff-to-do-oklahoma\nhttp://thislandpress.com/events/?events-category=weekend-things-to-do-oklahoma\nhttp://thislandpress.com/events/?events-category=date-night-ideas-oklahoma','2013-04-19 07:10:01','2013-04-19 13:10:01','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=13057',0,'post','',2),(518,1,'2010-03-27 02:40:00','2010-03-27 02:40:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4465336827/\" title=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4465336827_37877af7df.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=388606996419&amp;ref=ts\">Last night\'s Tulsa Blogger Meetup</a> was the best yet.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>About 50 local bloggers showed up to shoot the stuff at <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1619648435&amp;ref=ts\">Blue Dome Diner</a> last night at Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition (<a href=\"http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23tulsabm\">search #tulsabm on Twitter</a>&nbsp;to get the feed - yes, I wrote #tulsabm and, yes, all the required jokes have been made).<br /><br />Lucky for us, Brett McKay, 1/2 of the team behind the award-winning <a href=\"http://artofmanliness.com/\">The Art of Manliness</a> (along with his witty and lovely wife, Katie McKay), talked to us about how to build a better blog.<br /><br />As in, a blog that has more than 18,000 Facebook fans and nearly 40,000 subscribers and gets a couple million visits every month. And wins <a href=\"http://oklahomablogawards.blogspot.com/2010/02/2009-okie-blog-award-winners.html\">the title of the best blog in the entire state of Oklahoma in the 2010 Oklahoma Blog Awards</a> (quite an accomplishment with the likes of <a href=\"http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/\">the Pioneer Woman</a> in the running).<br /><br />You know, like <a href=\"http://www.theartofmanliness.com/\">The Art of Manliness blog</a>. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4465336595/\" title=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4465336595_bc06b1b862.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Here\'s the gist of how you do it: Hard work. Dedication. Great writing. Original thought. Listening.<br /><br />Translation: More than five weeks, a million followers on Twitter and a box set of e-books.<br /><br />The folks at the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1619648435&amp;ref=ts\">Blue Dome Diner</a> were gracious hosts. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4466113094/\" title=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4466113094_902f7710f0.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />How often does a person get a choice of three different types of sliders for supper? <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4465336531/\" title=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4465336531_60e5d00f72.jpg\" width=\"332\" /></a></div><br />Not often. At least, not for me. When you are a house with a two-year-old, you\'re too busy figuring out new ways to appropriate chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese into consumable meals to prepare three different varieties of sliders.<br /><br />What is it the kids are saying these days? FML? Not that I know what that means. I\'m just trying to be groovy, daddy-o.<br /><br />So, the food was tasty. The door prizes - thanks to <a href=\"http://www.idaredboutique.com/\">Ida Red</a>, <a href=\"http://www.cfbeo.org/\">Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma</a>, <a href=\"http://www.tulsagal.net/\">Tulsa Gal</a>, <a href=\"http://mandyvavrinak.com/\">Mandy Vavrinak</a>, A Studio, <a href=\"http://www.stfpr.com/\">Schanke Turnbo Frank | PR</a> and <a href=\"http://brewburgertulsa.com/\">Brewburger</a> - were real crowd-pleasers. <br /><br />The company, though, was the best part.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4466112686/\" title=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2684/4466112686_5340508c6f.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4466112840/\" title=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2716/4466112840_9e6c87e51e.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4465336305/\" title=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4465336305_b6d7ed0143.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4465336357/\" title=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4465336357_a120c59783.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4466112768/\" title=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4466112768_24f8161552.jpg\" width=\"332\" /></a></div><br />See that bag? Handmade. And entirely out of keyboard keys. <br /><br />Someone buy this woman a beer.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4466112768/\" title=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4466112768_24f8161552.jpg\" width=\"332\" /></a></div><br />Make that 10 beers over three nights.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4465336885/\" title=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Tulsa Blogger Meetup, Second Edition\" height=\"332\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2790/4465336885_38ebbff91c.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Thanks to all who came out last night. Plans are already in the works for next month\'s meetup, so stay tuned. <br /><br />If you took photos at the event last night and want to share, feel free to upload them to <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/groups/tulsabloggermeetup/\">the Tulsa Blogger Meetup group on Flickr</a>.','A Recap: Tulsa Blogger Meetup','','publish','open','open','','recap-tulsa-blogger-meetup','','','2010-03-27 02:40:00','2010-03-27 02:40:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=518',0,'post','',6),(519,1,'2010-03-27 03:28:00','2010-03-27 03:28:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4466354736/\" title=\"Ecofest by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Ecofest\" height=\"334\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4466354736_6eb633c350.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />It\'s official, spring has sprung. You know what that means: It\'s about to get all kinds of green up in here. <br /><br />The best way to get your green on this season is at <a href=\"http://www.tulsacc.edu/48889/\">the first-annual Ecofest at the northeast campus of Tulsa Community College, 3727 E. Apache</a>. A slew of activities and information will be available for free starting the morning of Saturday, March 27, at 9 a.m.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4465579553/\" title=\"EcoFest by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"EcoFest\" height=\"768\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4465579553_4b1a152e1a_b.jpg\" width=\"517\" /></a></div><br />TCC and other local organizations will be doling out eco-friendly tips to Ecofest goers until 3 p.m., showing T-Towners easy ways to help the environment by recycling and planting gardens. The event is free and open to the public.<br /><br />Experts in alternative energy, landscaping, fitness and nutrition will give presentations and demos. Plus, they\'ll have samples of some sweet products. Some folks will be giving away container trees, too.<br /><br />You and green living = 1, pollution and wastefulness, 0.<br /><br />\"Many people don\'t realize how even small changes can improve the environment,\" said John Kahre, horticulture program director at TCC. \"We want to show them that being eco-friendly is a lot easier than it might seem.\"<br /><br />One easy way to go green is to shop consignment, and EcoFest can help you with that from the get-go. Look for EcoKids Boutique, a section of EcoFest where parents to buy gently used children\'s clothing ranging from infant sizes through 5 years old.<br /><br />While you\'re stocking up on eco-friendly clothes, be sure to visit with <a href=\"http://www.forestry.ok.gov/\">the folks at Oklahoma Forestry Service</a>. They\'ll be giving away 500 free seedlings at EcoFest. It\'s first come, first served, though, so get around early.<br /><br />Something else having its first chance at an introduction at TCC this weekend is the new North Tulsa Farmers Market, due to open on the campus next month. Market hours will be 2-6 p.m. every Wednesday beginning April 14.<br /><div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3794191328/\" title=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2467/3794191328_ffe71d0cba.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />I know, right? I\'m excited, too. As in, very, very excited.<br /><br />And maybe a little bit hungry, too.&nbsp;</div><br />Ecofest will be presented by the TCC Horticulture Club and Phi Theta Kappa of the TCC Northeast Campus. Sponsors include <a href=\"http://www.tulsacc.edu/\">TCC</a>, <a href=\"https://www.psoklahoma.com/Default.aspx\">Public Service Company of Oklahoma</a>, <a href=\"http://www.sustainablegreencountry.org/main/\">Sustainable Green Country</a> and <a href=\"http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/tulsa/\">Whole Foods</a>. Thanks, y\'all.','EcoFest','','publish','open','open','','ecofest','','','2010-03-27 03:28:00','2010-03-27 03:28:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=519',0,'post','',1),(520,1,'2010-03-27 03:48:00','2010-03-27 03:48:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4465628095/\" title=\"At 1-2-3 Imagine! With Elmo and Friends by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"At 1-2-3 Imagine! With Elmo and Friends\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4465628095_0ea87b7ebe.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />One word: Mesmerized.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>In case you couldn\'t tell by the thousands of Elmo balloons and ecstatic preschoolers floating around downtown Tulsa, <a href=\"http://bokcenter.com/events.asp?id=11&amp;pid=267&amp;task=display&amp;pcatid=&amp;seldate=3/1/2010\">the furry little monster we all know and love (even if it\'s just because he\'s always up for doling a breather for Mom and/or Dad) is in T-Town this weekend</a>.<br /><br />You can still snag tickets to the Saturday (10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.) shows at <a href=\"http://BOKCenter.com/\">BOKCenter.com</a> or at the BOK Center box office at 200 N. Denver Ave. Tickets start at $15.<br /><br />Or, you can get $3 off by using the promo code TASHA at check-out.<br /><br />Cool, huh?<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3431957726/\" title=\"In Its Shadow by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"In Its Shadow\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3431957726_c71c362a35.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />I\'m going to go with yes on this one.','1-2-3 Imagine! With Elmo and Friends. Plus, Save $3 on Tix.','','publish','open','open','','1-2-3-imagine-with-elmo-and-friends','','','2010-03-27 03:48:00','2010-03-27 03:48:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=520',0,'post','',0),(521,1,'2010-03-27 18:47:00','2010-03-27 18:47:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4467752262/\" title=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2752/4467752262_3c2cae330f.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />I studied jazz for six years of my life, so I know that it\'s an art form that\'s really open to analogy, but I\'d never heard it put quite like this: Jazz, my friends, is like ice cream.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>Thanks to <a href=\"http://www.tulsachildrensmuseum.org/\">the Tulsa Children\'s Museum</a>, that\'s how I heard the genre described today.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4467751606/\" title=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2755/4467751606_d787374b2e.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4466977723/\" title=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4466977723_762bec438f.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Tulsa Children\'s Museum is Tulsa\'s museum without walls. Its programming takes place everywhere, from local libraries and museums to parks, festivals and, in the case of today, music halls.<br /><br />Oh Daddy-O! is the last installment of TCM\'s Family Concert Series at the <a href=\"http://www.tulsapac.com/\">Tulsa Performing Arts Center</a>, at 110 E. Second Street in downtown Tulsa. In this educational concert, the audience to explore some of the hallmarks of jazz: Improvisation, syncopation and collaboration, all to help introduce Tulsa families to what\'s known as America\'s music. <br /><br />TCM treated me and my boys to the 11 a.m. concert. It\'s over now, of course. But <b>there\'s another show today at 3 p.m., and tickets are only $10</b>. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4467751458/\" title=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2750/4467751458_d213e9f25d.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Ladies and gentlemen and pint-sized cutie pies, this is the Jambalaya Jass Band. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4467751744/\" title=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2715/4467751744_196bd4f7f3.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />This is Steve Ham, the leader of the band. <br /><br />He\'s the one who taught me to play clarinet and saxophone when I was in the fifth grade, and he taught me a lot about singing, too. He always pushed us to improvise in band class, and he spent a lot of time training our ears so we could do that without sounding like a complete train wreck. <br /><br />I\'ve been lucky to have had a lot of great teachers, especially music teachers, but Mr. Ham kindled in me a life-long love of jazz and blues music. He\'s one cool cat, and he has a way with making this music accessible and exciting to young listeners.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4466978041/\" title=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4466978041_52ce3b5e23.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />As Mater says in the movie Cars, \"That\'s Frank.\" Frank Brown is one of the most versatile and prolific musicians in Tulsa. You can see him everywhere from the Primo Room at Ciao! to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center playing a children\'s concert. <br /><br />Or, at <a href=\"http://tulsagridiron.org/\">the Performing Arts Center helping me through a torchy song that I sang as Sarah Palin</a>. Either, or. Frank rocks. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4467752170/\" title=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4467752170_14494589df.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />We all know this guy. That\'s Chuck Cissel, CEO of the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. <br /><br />He\'s kind of a big deal. He was gracious enough to lay some of his sweet vocals on us today as Jamalaya\'s guest singer. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4467752762/\" title=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2755/4467752762_ea01fc7083.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />This, everyone, is Tina Rose. You may call her Your Majesty. <br /><br />See, Tina Rose is the daughter of <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Russell\">Leon and Mary Russell</a>. She\'s Oklahoma music royalty, and she\'s a fabulous musician in her own right. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4467752350/\" title=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2511/4467752350_638173564a.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Near the end of the concert the kids were invited to join the band on stage. <br /><br />Which the kids, of course, loved to death. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4467752484/\" title=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4467752484_011fb322d5.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Before and after the concert families can head across the hall from the Williams Theater to learn more about improvisation by working together on a collaborative art project. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4466978723/\" title=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2684/4466978723_d8acb94ef2.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />By the end of this morning\'s concert, a certain someone was ready to head that way. <br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4467752698/\" title=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4467752698_b243b5bb80.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4466978911/\" title=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4466978911_935cd53027.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Already cornering the ladies, eh, son? <br /><br />My kid is such a mack daddy. <br /><br />Is that what the kids are saying these days? Mack daddy? It is, right? <br /><br />I guess if I have to ask, I\'ll never know.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4467752484/\" title=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"Oh Daddy-O! With Tulsa Children\'s Museum\" height=\"375\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4467752484_011fb322d5.jpg\" width=\"500\" /></a></div><br />Give the kids a chance to boogy this afternoon with the Jambalaya Jass Band and Tulsa Children\'s Museum. Who knows, you might just shake a tail feather or two yourself.<br /><br />You\'ll probably want ice cream afterward, too.','Oh Daddy-O! with Tulsa Children\'s Museum','','publish','open','open','','oh-daddy-o-with-tulsa-childrens-museum','','','2010-03-27 18:47:00','2010-03-27 18:47:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=521',0,'post','',1),(522,1,'2010-03-27 21:23:00','2010-03-27 21:23:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/4454637139/\" title=\"The Canebrake by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img alt=\"The Canebrake\" height=\"500\" src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4454637139_f374f17770.jpg\" width=\"375\" /></a></div><br />Thanks to the generous folks at <a href=\"http://www.thecanebrake.com/\">The Canebrake</a>, an environment- and awesome-conscious resort near Tulsa in Wagoner, <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/03/canebrake-plus-win-some-brunch.html\">TDT got to host a killer contest last week</a>. At stake was a voucher for Sunday brunch for two at the resort, a food-lover\'s dream.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>Thanks to all who entered. I loved reading your tales of relaxation. Some seduced me, some surprised me and some made me want to sell my house and move to Tahiti. Because Tasha Does Tahiti, that could work, I think.<br /><br />Out of nearly 60 entries, there can only be one winner.<br /><br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S651VY15l8I/AAAAAAAABs4/wHswhzdQV0g/s1600/Picture+6.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S651VY15l8I/AAAAAAAABs4/wHswhzdQV0g/s320/Picture+6.png\" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S651RlfOV2I/AAAAAAAABsw/pX7Newdim44/s1600/Picture+7.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S651RlfOV2I/AAAAAAAABsw/pX7Newdim44/s320/Picture+7.png\" /></a></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">The holder of the 30th entry was...</div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S651i3z9yEI/AAAAAAAABtA/WRfQdmaSSFI/s1600/Picture+8.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"257\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/S651i3z9yEI/AAAAAAAABtA/WRfQdmaSSFI/s640/Picture+8.png\" width=\"640\" /></a></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><br /></div>Congrats, <a href=\"http://surviving4kids.blogspot.com/\">suburban hippie mama</a>! <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">E-mail me ASAP to claim your prize</a>.<br /><br />Thanks again to all who entered, and especially to those of you who were willing to <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tasha-Does-Tulsa/403568208507\">fan TDT on Facebook</a> for extra chances.<br /><br />I know it takes courage to put a fan page on your FB profile that will incite incendiary questions from your grandmother (who totally remembers that naughty 1970s film about Debbie and a city in Texas and what Debbie does in that city in Texas and thinks Tasha Does Tulsa could only be a cheap, albeit decidedly less hairy, 2007 knock-off of the original film) that will require long, involved explanation, and I appreciate your willingness to submit to that in the name of fandom.<br /><br />You are the awesome sauce.','The Canebrake Winner: Announced!','','publish','open','open','','canebrake-winners-announced','','','2010-03-27 21:23:00','2010-03-27 21:23:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=522',0,'post','',3),