(144,1,'2009-04-21 19:50:00','2009-04-21 19:50:00','<a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4dJ8gIybI/AAAAAAAAA_I/Tb7m5lLYO9g/s1600-h/DSC04462-1.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327227465922824626\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4dJ8gIybI/AAAAAAAAA_I/Tb7m5lLYO9g/s400/DSC04462-1.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;\" /></a><br />Yesterday I was looking at my kid, who was all bored and fussy and cabin feverish on a 73-degree, lightly breezy day, and I realized something: We could go to the <a href=\"http://www.tulsazoo.org/\">Tulsa Zoo &amp; Living Museum</a>, right at that moment. There was nothing hold us back. He\'d just had lunch and a nap, and I\'d had my daily half-pot of coffee and (gasp!) a shower.<br /><br />There was only one thing to do: Slather our translucent skin with SPF 50, head to <a href=\"http://quiktrip.com/\">QT</a> for snacks and hit the trail to <a href=\"http://www.cityoftulsa.org/recreation/parks/MohawkParkStrategicPlanUpdate.asp\">Tulsa\'s Mohawk Park</a>, home of Tulsa Zoo. The zoo is easily accessible from the Sheridan Road exists off of Highway 11 and I-244. It\'s in Mohawk Park, just east of Sheridan Road on 36th Street North.<br /><br />Many of the Tulsans I know consider this area \"way out there,\" but even from south Tulsa, the drive to the zoo is just 15-20 minutes. Promise - I timed it myself.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4SUCsPTyI/AAAAAAAAA-4/TICYO9Q5Dhs/s1600-h/DSC04437-2.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327215544754982690\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4SUCsPTyI/AAAAAAAAA-4/TICYO9Q5Dhs/s400/DSC04437-2.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;\" /></a>Going to the Tulsa Zoo is a nostalgic thing for me. It was the setting for so many of my childhood experiences: the first time I saw a naked mole rat, the first time I threw up from eating too many shoestring potato thingies, the place where I chased boys into the cave in one of the Living Museum buildings and, much to their chagrin, kissed them on the ear, which was the best I could do considering they were running and screaming mid-kiss.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4SEWtb25I/AAAAAAAAA-w/UuYkgL56bNk/s1600-h/DSC04438-1.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327215275250801554\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4SEWtb25I/AAAAAAAAA-w/UuYkgL56bNk/s400/DSC04438-1.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;\" /></a>Ah, memories.<br /><br />My grandmother spent many days of her girlhood at Tulsa Zoo. When my mom was a girl, my grandmother took her to the Zoo. When I was pint-sized, my mom took me to the Zoo. Yesterday, I took my little polywog to the Zoo for the first time. For us, it\'s a family tradition that goes way back - not quite to the founding of the Zoo in the 1920s, but still.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4R2QDdXQI/AAAAAAAAA-o/kptSo_Le9nY/s1600-h/DSC04439-1.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327215032945958146\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4R2QDdXQI/AAAAAAAAA-o/kptSo_Le9nY/s400/DSC04439-1.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;\" /></a>Needless to say, there\'s lots of kid-friendly stuff to do at the Tulsa Zoo. This carousel is just one of them. Don\'t forget to ride the train, too. Then there\'s the <a href=\"http://www.tulsazoo.org/general.cfm?id=133\">Nature Exchange</a>, which I especially love because you can trade common rocks and fossils you find around town (we have a garage-full, thanks to the fact that I\'m bound in matrimony to a geologist-wannabe-paleontologist) for something like skulls, skeletons or maybe even petrified brains. And did I mention the Tulsa Zoo features almost 1,500 animals of nearly 450 species? Kids like variety, and it\'s definitely available at America\'s Favorite Zoo, right here in Tulsa.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4OPkT1rbI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/4uEON5WZZe0/s1600-h/DSC04476-1.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327211069833588146\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4OPkT1rbI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/4uEON5WZZe0/s400/DSC04476-1.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 308px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;\" /></a>Can I tell you something? I hate looking at other people\'s zoo animal photos. It\'s nothing I haven\'t seen 10,000 times better in National Geographic or on bookmarks at the checkout at Barnes &amp; Noble. I\'m sure a lot of you feel the same way. But, this is my blog, and you\'re going to look at my zoo animal pictures, by golly!<br /><br /><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4Nt6PLzLI/AAAAAAAAA-I/72sW0TXXy2M/s1600-h/DSC04482-1.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327210491604094130\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4Nt6PLzLI/AAAAAAAAA-I/72sW0TXXy2M/s400/DSC04482-1.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 286px;\" /></a><br /><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4j4c1yw_I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/EGXpaw6GkK4/s1600-h/DSC04479-1.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327234861947339762\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4j4c1yw_I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/EGXpaw6GkK4/s400/DSC04479-1.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 258px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;\" /></a>I\'m sorry.<br /><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4NSBAI05I/AAAAAAAAA-A/QC0R5UivICA/s1600-h/DSC04485-1.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327210012383695762\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4NSBAI05I/AAAAAAAAA-A/QC0R5UivICA/s400/DSC04485-1.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 296px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;\" /></a>I\'m really, really sorry.<br /><br />Each of the above animals was declared by my son to be, of course, \"doggie.\" I bet I\'ve heard that word 5,932 times since he learned to say it a few weeks ago.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4MXT6rPTI/AAAAAAAAA94/yzRgcKLqY2A/s1600-h/DSC04441-1.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327209003848777010\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4MXT6rPTI/AAAAAAAAA94/yzRgcKLqY2A/s400/DSC04441-1.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;\" /></a>I love this photo. This is exactly how my kid looks when he\'s playing with his blocks or my good measuring spoons or power tools covered in shards of glass with his back turned.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4L3H3-0KI/AAAAAAAAA9w/li6c5oFDnxE/s1600-h/DSC04448-1.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327208450860437666\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4L3H3-0KI/AAAAAAAAA9w/li6c5oFDnxE/s400/DSC04448-1.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;\" /></a>The elephants are my favorite. Have I mentioned I unwittingly collect elephant stuff? Apparently I come across as an elephant lover. One day, my friends and family spontaneously began showering me with elephant paraphernalia like magnets, wall hangings, candle holders and notepads made of recycled elephant poop. Go figure.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4GbaEVN7I/AAAAAAAAA9o/MWDzmbBxBis/s1600-h/DSC04450-1.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327202477149599666\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4GbaEVN7I/AAAAAAAAA9o/MWDzmbBxBis/s400/DSC04450-1.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 257px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;\" /></a>I very much dislike birds, and I wouldn\'t mind if I never saw one again. Except female cardinals - those can stay. To me, they represent all that is mother and ladylike-ness. I\'d know ladylike-ness when I see it, I think, maybe.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4GBSZHaEI/AAAAAAAAA9g/S72a3ob59N8/s1600-h/DSC04452-1.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327202028412692546\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4GBSZHaEI/AAAAAAAAA9g/S72a3ob59N8/s400/DSC04452-1.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;\" /></a>Here\'s a shot of the Children\'s Zoo, located within the Tulsa Zoo. Kids are free to pet goats and lambs and the like, which is great fun for everyone, as long as no one gets grabby.<br /><br />See that goat on the pedestal? That\'s me. See all the little groundling goats? Those are my future army, I mean, children. This was the story I made up in my head as I edited this photo, as if I don\'t have better things to think about than my plans for world domination.<br /><br />There\'s more to see at the Tulsa Zoo than just lots and lots and lots of animals. Take note of the plants growing there, too. The plant displays are just as thoughtful as the animal exhibits. Plus, there are dozens of lovely vignettes to enjoy.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4RBGhZRqI/AAAAAAAAA-g/q_8RGK3yHiQ/s1600-h/DSC04474-1.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327214119854098082\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4RBGhZRqI/AAAAAAAAA-g/q_8RGK3yHiQ/s400/DSC04474-1.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;\" /></a><br /><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4CuwKX2nI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/ZNWG1gts4f4/s1600-h/DSC04454-1.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327198411451521650\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4CuwKX2nI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/ZNWG1gts4f4/s400/DSC04454-1.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;\" /></a><br /><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4CHolNVGI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/bJ663tiwSnk/s1600-h/DSC04455-2.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327197739401696354\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4CHolNVGI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/bJ663tiwSnk/s400/DSC04455-2.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;\" /></a>Ooo! A barn! I just love barns. I think <a href=\"http://images.google.com/images?q=barns&amp;oe=utf-8&amp;rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&amp;client=firefox-a&amp;um=1&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;sa=N&amp;hl=en&amp;tab=wi\">anyone who half-way likes to take pictures likes barns</a>.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4B5d7VEAI/AAAAAAAAA9I/vKt4m4sHZDc/s1600-h/DSC04456-2.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327197496023519234\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4B5d7VEAI/AAAAAAAAA9I/vKt4m4sHZDc/s400/DSC04456-2.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;\" /></a><br /><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4Bmo5n-NI/AAAAAAAAA9A/L68DYXZSOJ4/s1600-h/DSC04457-2.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327197172551645394\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4Bmo5n-NI/AAAAAAAAA9A/L68DYXZSOJ4/s400/DSC04457-2.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;\" /></a>After a few hours, we\'d had our fill of plants and animals for the day. We stopped off at one of the several playgrounds for a snack and to let the little guy stretch his legs.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4BXzDB02I/AAAAAAAAA84/EDCO3JSDN3k/s1600-h/DSC04497-1.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327196917577405282\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4BXzDB02I/AAAAAAAAA84/EDCO3JSDN3k/s400/DSC04497-1.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;\" /></a>On our way out we stopped at the rainforest exhibit, an entire building of anything and everything about those 80-degree, 80-percent humidity hotbeds of colorful frogs, birds and cute little monkeys.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4BK49itGI/AAAAAAAAA8w/gP7Ddt6aVOw/s1600-h/DSC04506-1.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327196695826707554\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4BK49itGI/AAAAAAAAA8w/gP7Ddt6aVOw/s400/DSC04506-1.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;\" /></a>This is what I look like in the morning, with no makeup and before my half-pot of coffee. In case you wondered.<br /><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4A0n5Xe1I/AAAAAAAAA8g/8cmxBBMb2no/s1600-h/DSC04509-1.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327196313288670034\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4A0n5Xe1I/AAAAAAAAA8g/8cmxBBMb2no/s400/DSC04509-1.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;\" /></a><br /><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4AoTMcRYI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/Vsbzxgbo0BI/s1600-h/DSC04513-1.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327196101573100930\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4AoTMcRYI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/Vsbzxgbo0BI/s400/DSC04513-1.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;\" /></a>The otters wished us a final farewell.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4Ac8VYMQI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/R0I9u1Jt7RY/s1600-h/DSC04522-1.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327195906458005762\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4Ac8VYMQI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/R0I9u1Jt7RY/s400/DSC04522-1.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;\" /></a>They\'re such show-offs. Go for the jugular!<br /><br /><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4eZHNbTRI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/ccYB05PELqw/s1600-h/DSC04519-1.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327228826006801682\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Se4eZHNbTRI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/ccYB05PELqw/s400/DSC04519-1.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;\" /></a>By the end of the day I\'d decided we were in need of a Zoo membership. For just $45 - the same price of admission for my little fam to go to the zoo 2.8 times - we got free admission for two adults (\"Free until Three\" is the motto on kiddo admission at the T-Town Zoo) for 14 months, a packet of zoo-lovers\' goodies, free parking anywhere in Mohawk Park, <a href=\"http://www.tulsazoo.org/general.cfm?id=118\">Member Mornings</a>, special, members-only invitations to events and promotions and reduced admission to more than 100 U.S. zoos and aquariums, year-round.<br /><br />For my money, that\'s a good deal.<br /><br />For more information about <a href=\"http://www.tulsazoo.org/\">Tulsa Zoo &amp; Living Museum, check out their Web site</a> and the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsa_Zoo\">TZ Wikipedia page</a>. Anyone making a trip to Tulsa this summer needs to put Tulsa Zoo on the list of stops. There\'s nothing else like it anywhere else, and it\'s just too good to miss.','T-Town\'s Zoo-per Zoo','','publish','open','open','','t-towns-zoo-per-zoo','','','2009-04-21 19:50:00','2009-04-21 19:50:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=144',0,'post','',6),(149,1,'2009-04-24 15:40:00','2009-04-24 15:40:00','<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SfHVrL9U6gI/AAAAAAAABAg/JbqoV6Xau-c/s1600-h/DSC04526.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SfHVrL9U6gI/AAAAAAAABAg/JbqoV6Xau-c/s320/DSC04526.JPG\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">When we don\'t have much time to get out and about as a family before one of my husband\'s classes at <a href=\"http://www.osu-tulsa.okstate.edu/\">OSU-Tulsa</a> or before I need to get to work on a blog post or freelance piece or counting the little brown moles on my arms (48 - much more on the right arm than the left, for some reason - and now if I\'m ever a fugitive from the law, that will be in the description <a href=\"http://twitter.com/CindyWMorrison\">Cindy</a> will have to give on the news), we head to a nearby park.</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"></div><br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: left;\">There are nearly a dozen city parks within a few miles\' drive of our house, and that\'s the case for most Tulsans I know. We T-Towners are wealthy in beautiful parks - <a href=\"http://www.cityoftulsa.org/Recreation/Parks/\">the City of Tulsa manages 125 of them</a>, totaling about 6,000 acres, including <a href=\"http://www.oxleynaturecenter.org/\">nature centers</a>, golf courses, <a href=\"http://www.tulsazoo.org/\">Tulsa Zoo</a>, <a href=\"http://www.tulsagardencenter.com/\">Tulsa Garden Center</a>, 21 swimming pools, 197 sports centers, 83 playgrounds, 109 tennis courts, 28 water playgrounds, <a href=\"http://www.cityoftulsa.org/Recreation/Parks/SkatePark.asp\">The River Skatepark</a>, 69 picnic shelters, <a href=\"http://www.cityoftulsa.org/Recreation/Parks/CommCenter.asp\">11 community centers</a>, trails and more. </div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"></div><br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: left;\">And boy, are we thankful. Because sometimes, there\'s nothing better for the soul than a good, long sit in the grass, a short walk on a wooded trail, a half-hour in the sun...</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SfHVYM-6NwI/AAAAAAAABAY/4ou0NhDEoGc/s1600-h/DSC04566.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SfHVYM-6NwI/AAAAAAAABAY/4ou0NhDEoGc/s320/DSC04566.JPG\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">...or a baby kiss that, thanks to the wide-open spaces of a park near our humble abode, I get to look forward to for several yards of toddling.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SfHVPasCCuI/AAAAAAAABAQ/J5-sPP-GJCw/s1600-h/DSC04569.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SfHVPasCCuI/AAAAAAAABAQ/J5-sPP-GJCw/s320/DSC04569.JPG\" /></a>&nbsp;</div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SfHU1rg7VpI/AAAAAAAABAA/1ko4VoF_dJs/s1600-h/DSC04573.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SfHU1rg7VpI/AAAAAAAABAA/1ko4VoF_dJs/s320/DSC04573.JPG\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SfHUur-DemI/AAAAAAAAA_4/uWh-J_X4KAM/s1600-h/DSC04576.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SfHUur-DemI/AAAAAAAAA_4/uWh-J_X4KAM/s320/DSC04576.JPG\" /></a>&nbsp;</div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\">&nbsp;<a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SfHUn3mKJxI/AAAAAAAAA_w/Tlb-H0lHPLc/s1600-h/DSC04579.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SfHUn3mKJxI/AAAAAAAAA_w/Tlb-H0lHPLc/s320/DSC04579.JPG\" /></a>&nbsp;</div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">See that look of determination and focus? That means: Get ready, baby, because here I come!</div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SfHUd2OWNmI/AAAAAAAAA_o/QAf4HhtbrwQ/s1600-h/DSC04580.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SfHUd2OWNmI/AAAAAAAAA_o/QAf4HhtbrwQ/s320/DSC04580.JPG\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Just imagine the sound we all instinctively make at the doctor\'s office when s/he asks us to open wide. That\'s what my little boy\'s kisses sound like. Sort of a combination of the motor of an old duster plane and the sound my husband makes in the back of his throat when the alarm goes off in the morning.&nbsp;</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"></div><div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SfHUQbRMteI/AAAAAAAAA_g/97Vt585DX5w/s1600-h/DSC04581.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SfHUQbRMteI/AAAAAAAAA_g/97Vt585DX5w/s320/DSC04581.JPG\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">There. Mission accomplished.&nbsp;</div>','A Kiss in the park','','publish','open','open','','kiss-in-park','','','2009-04-24 15:40:00','2009-04-24 15:40:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=149',0,'post','',3),(150,1,'2009-04-25 03:30:00','2009-04-25 03:30:00','<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://profile.ak.facebook.com/object3/840/56/n74656736709_3471.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"420\" src=\"http://profile.ak.facebook.com/object3/840/56/n74656736709_3471.jpg\" width=\"323\" /></a></div>Guess what? I get to go to this really cool thing on Sunday afternoon. Noon marks the beginning of the inaugural Taste of Grace event, to benefit <a href=\"http://www.gracehospice.com/\">Grace Hospice Foundation</a>&nbsp;. Chefs from nine Tulsa restaurants will set up shop at <a href=\"http://www.tulsahistory.org/\">Tulsa Historical Society</a> and do their best to work their foodie magic around me and several other members of the media who may or may not know how to turn on a stove.<br /><br />Problem is, as of right now, I\'m going stag. I don\'t like going stag. I look funny when I\'m alone - like the redhead the world forgot, or maybe a lost puppy in a blogger\'s body, minus the cute, weepy eyes. Not that I don\'t have eyes, because I do.<br /><br />Anyway. I\'d love to share this exciting event, a ticket to which is valued at $50, with one of my readers.<br /><br />If you\'re available Sunday and would like to come hang out with me at the Taste of Grace event at Tulsa Historical Society and stuff yourself with food from nearly a dozen local chefs and gander at luxurious silent auction items and have a generally uproarious time, do the following:<br /><br /><br /><ul><li>Go to Twitter.com.<br /></li><li>If you already have an account, sign in; if you don\'t already have an account, make one!<br /></li><li>Follow @tashadoestulsa.<br /></li><li>Tweet anything you want about TashaDoesTulsa.com - preferably, something nice. If you win you will, after all, have to spend an entire afternoon with me.&nbsp;</li></ul>OR!<br /><ul><li>Leave a comment, any comment, on this post.<br /></li></ul><br /><br />My favorite tweet/comment by 5 p.m. Saturday is the winner. I\'ll announce my accomplice by 6 p.m., <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/04/winner-late-so-very-late.html\">as long as I don\'t fall asleep for 13 hours</a>&nbsp;.','I Need A Date','','publish','open','open','','i-need-date-post-april-24','','','2009-04-25 03:30:00','2009-04-25 03:30:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=150',0,'post','',7),(152,1,'2009-04-25 23:30:00','2009-04-25 23:30:00','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/04/i-need-date-post-april-24.html\">Yesterday I wrote that I could use a date to tomorrow\'s Taste of Grace event</a>&nbsp;, a 9-course meal, fashion show and silent auction that will get started at noon tomorrow at Tulsa Historical Society. I thought it\'d be fun to open the invitation to my blog readers, since I love all of you so. Of course, I made a contest out of it because I\'m narcissistic and should probably be seeing someone good, very good, about that.<br /><br />And now, the winner! To enter, readers could either <a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/tashadoestulsa\">Twitter about Tasha Does Tulsa</a> or leave a comment on yesterday\'s post about the giveaway. There were several entries - dozens, I assure you - and I had a pretty hard time choosing the best one. Ultimately, this was my favorite:<br /><br /><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #333333; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\'; font-size: 12px;\"><br /><dt id=\"c6701189799062028654\" style=\"cursor: pointer; font: normal normal bold 122%/1.4em Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-top: 0px;\"><img alt=\"Anonymous\" class=\"comment-icon anon-comment\" src=\"https://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif\" style=\"-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(https://www.blogger.com/img/cmt/comment_sprite.gif); background-position: -45px -101px; background-repeat: no-repeat; height: 16px; margin-right: 4px; width: 16px;\" />&nbsp;<span dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"http://lostinemotion.wordpress.com/\" onclick=\"window.open(this.href);return false;\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"color: #3366cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;\">treygar</a></span>&nbsp;said...</dt><br /><dd style=\"line-height: 140%; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em;\"></dd></span><br /><div style=\"line-height: 140%; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em;\">top five awkward reasons tasha shouldn\'t go stag and should take trey<br /><br />1) both of their names start with a \'T\'.<br />2) trey is new to Tulsa and needs friends to write home about and ease his aging parents worries that their firstborn is a loner.<br />3) trey will chronicle the experience, in poem, and read the poem aloud next time he goes to open mic night at the Gypsy.<br />4) trey likes food.<br />5) trey likes free food.</div><br />Thanks for being willing to spend your Sunday afternoon with me, Trey! And thanks for making me laugh. E-mail me at tashadoestulsa dot &nbsp;com and we\'ll take care of logistics.<br /><br />Thanks to everyone who entered. I love you forever for being willing to become one of those people who have met someone from the Internet to hang out with me. Not that that\'s bad - the first time I \"met\" my husband was via e-mail, and my best friend and I met face-to-face only after a few months of messaging back and forth on Facebook - so, who knows. Maybe one of you will deliver my second child or is obscurely related to me or will be sent to the same mental hospital as me. You never can tell.','Winning Grace','','publish','open','open','','winning-grace','','','2009-04-25 23:30:00','2009-04-25 23:30:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=152',0,'post','',2),(154,1,'2009-05-20 04:58:00','2009-05-20 04:58:00','Before I left on my bus trip with <a href=\"http://tulsatransit.org/about-mtta/\">Metroplitan Tulsa Transit Authority general manager Bill Cartwright</a> this morning, TDT reader and blogger <a href=\"http://twitter.com/Ron_Hudson\">Ron Hudson</a> made the brilliant suggestion that I make a video of the experience. <div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><object width=\"320\" height=\"266\" class=\"BLOG_video_class\" id=\"BLOG_video-209f1320c620e715\" classid=\"clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/get_player\"><param name=\"bgcolor\" value=\"#FFFFFF\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\"><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"flvurl=http%3A%2F%2Fv23.nonxt4.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D209f1320c620e715%26itag%3D5%26app%3Dblogger%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1282843963%26sparams%3Did%252Citag%252Cip%252Cipbits%252Cexpire%26signature%3D4C86817148F439C3CFC56D1701189EF19FA0E674.2B7C7595F77CB3AD490AD17F77C33103DAAA5B05%26key%3Dck1&amp;iurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2FThumbnailServer2%3Fapp%3Dblogger%26contentid%3D209f1320c620e715%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw160%26sigh%3DoudL4s0h1CpLv15Lu3Ptk_eio8Q&amp;autoplay=0&amp;ps=blogger\"><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/get_player\"width=\"320\" height=\"266\" bgcolor=\"#FFFFFF\"flashvars=\"flvurl=http%3A%2F%2Fv23.nonxt4.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D209f1320c620e715%26itag%3D5%26app%3Dblogger%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1282843963%26sparams%3Did%252Citag%252Cip%252Cipbits%252Cexpire%26signature%3D4C86817148F439C3CFC56D1701189EF19FA0E674.2B7C7595F77CB3AD490AD17F77C33103DAAA5B05%26key%3Dck1&iurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2FThumbnailServer2%3Fapp%3Dblogger%26contentid%3D209f1320c620e715%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw160%26sigh%3DoudL4s0h1CpLv15Lu3Ptk_eio8Q&autoplay=0&ps=blogger\"allowFullScreen=\"true\" /></object></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Ta-da! See? I\'m not completely technologically inept. Just partially. Moderately. Okay, significantly. Just try not to get seasick watching that video.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Some quick thoughts:<br /></div><ul><li>The downtown station on Denver Avenue is a beautiful, lively place. </li><li>The buses are very, very clean, much contrary to what I\'d heard.</li><li>It\'s not hard at all to catch an MTTA bus. They\'re on-schedule, even if at some stops they don\'t come but once per hour. </li><li>Bus riders make up a diverse group of Tulsans, from the mother and her small child out to do some shopping to the woman on her way downtown for work to the guy who rode his bike to his stop and loaded it up to the front of the bus in order to get to class.</li><li>MTTA has a number of perennial obstacles to tackle - lack of funding, low service, our Midwestern love of the automobile and the stigma of public transportation, to name a few - as gasoline prices are set to climb through the summer months and ridership promises to continue increase. It\'s already up about 9 percent from this time last year.</li></ul><div>I\'ll write more about what I learned on my ride this morning in some shape or form, so be on the lookout here and <a href=\"http://urbantulsa.com/\">as you flip through the pages of Urban Tulsa Weekly</a> looking for free karaoke nights (my favorite is at <a href=\"http://joemommas.com/\">Joe Momma\'s Pizza in the Blue Dome District in downtown Tulsa</a> - gotta love that big stage). </div>','Diary of a Bus Rider','','publish','open','open','','diary-of-bus-rider','','','2009-05-20 04:58:00','2009-05-20 04:58:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=154',0,'post','',2),(155,1,'2009-05-21 00:00:00','2009-05-21 00:00:00','<b>Looking for the 2010 schedule for Summer\'s Fifth Night at Utica Square? </b><a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/05/summers-5th-night-2010-at-utica-square.html\"><b>Check out this updated post</b></a><b>.</b><br /><br /><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShSUVlsA-bI/AAAAAAAABNo/J_vqcp4LXxs/s1600-h/DSC04875.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338054556955769266\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShSUVlsA-bI/AAAAAAAABNo/J_vqcp4LXxs/s400/DSC04875.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;\" /></a>There\'s no question that <a href=\"http://www.uticasquare.com/\">Tulsa\'s Utica Square</a>, <a href=\"http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;source=s_q&amp;abauth=89313a5e:sJ5lhqzouaMAGFX6vT9TrXtAtSM&amp;output=html&amp;q=21st+st+and+utica+ave+tulsa,+OK&amp;zoom=0&amp;zp=OO\">on 21st Street between Utica and Yorktown</a>, is a beautiful place, even when my 15-month-old son does his little break dance on its freshly manicured lawns that, as marked, are not to be walked upon.<br /><br />Oh, well. Whatareyagonnado.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShSUIrgIJII/AAAAAAAABNY/ydThj8oL5Pc/s1600-h/DSC04882.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338054335178220674\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShSUIrgIJII/AAAAAAAABNY/ydThj8oL5Pc/s400/DSC04882.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;\" /></a><br />If you\'re tired of the Thursday night bar scene, consider heading to Utica Square this week for a change. The 2009 season of <a href=\"http://www.uticasquare.com/now_showing/now_showing_summer.asp\">Summer\'s 5th Night, the Utica Square outdoor summer concert series</a>, will start at 7 p.m. Kicking off the season will be <a href=\"http://www.lightoperaok.org/index.php\">Light Opera Oklahoma, Tulsa\'s very own opretta and classical musical comedy company</a>.<br /><br />If the classics aren\'t your thing, dig out your calendars (does anyone actually keep a pocket calendar anymore?) and block off next Thursday from 7-9 p.m. <a href=\"http://mlcband.net/\">Mid Life Crisis, a T-Town based classic rock band</a>, will be rocking the socks off Utica Square that night.<br /><br />Other acts this season include <a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/admiraltwin\">Admiral Twin</a> (June 11), the <a href=\"http://www.reddirtrangers.com/\">Red Dirt Rangers</a> (July 2), <a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/annieellicott\">Annie Ellicott</a> with the <a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/brianhaas\">Brian Haas</a> Trio (Aug. 13) and the master of romance himself, <a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/gradynichols\">Grady Nichols</a> (Aug. 27).<br /><br />Plus, Summer\'s 5th Night attendees are eligible for drawings and giveaways. And there\'s dancing. And picnic dinners. And soft breezes to cool your skin as you sprawl across your favorite blanket, loosing yourself in the music and some of the best scenery that Tulsa has to offer.<br /><br />Sorry. I\'m writing a romance novel, and I switched gears rather involuntarily back there. Happens to the best of us.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShSUOcqK3EI/AAAAAAAABNg/PS5lGZXUqfk/s1600-h/DSC04880.JPG\" onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\"><img alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338054434273025090\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShSUOcqK3EI/AAAAAAAABNg/PS5lGZXUqfk/s400/DSC04880.JPG\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;\" /></a>Not really on the romance novel. I prefer to stick to the real smut - you know, blogs.<br /><br />This all sounds like high-quality entertainment, right? The kind of fun honest people pay for? Well, guess what. It\'s free. But you knew I was going to say that, didn\'t you?<br /><br />See you all out there - bring an extra antihistamine for me.','Summer\'s 5th Night 2009 @ Utica Square','','publish','open','open','','summers-5th-night-utica-square','','','2009-05-21 00:00:00','2009-05-21 00:00:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=155',0,'post','',3),(156,1,'2009-05-21 00:43:00','2009-05-21 00:43:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShSnUH35qDI/AAAAAAAABNw/H_NQdFNiaVc/s1600-h/DSC03602.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShSnUH35qDI/AAAAAAAABNw/H_NQdFNiaVc/s400/DSC03602.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338075422493616178\" border=\"0\" /></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\">This economic crisis has brought many things: scares about nationalized banks, too-big-to-fall auto manufacturers talking bankruptcy and enough pink slips to do a decent job of redecorating Wall Street with paper mache.</span></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: georgia;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:100%;\"  ><p style=\"\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\">Despite what other media outlets might say, it\'s not all bad. After all, the craft beer industry is experiencing a revival. Though it\'s not the cheapest choice on the market, more and more beer lovers are veering from the \"big three\" corporate beer giants and choosing bottles of artisan and craft brews. In fact, growth of the craft brewing industry was nearly 6 percent by volume and almost 11 percent by dollars last year. Try to name anything that has experienced that type of growth for that time besides the lines outside the unemployment office.</span></span></p><p style=\"\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\">But, at a local midrange of about $8 for a six-pack, the thirst for craft beer can get pricey. The good news? Beer lovers can brew their own booze, and it\'s good enough to serve even to the snobby neighbors who are still trying to pretend they\'re current on their mortgage.</span></span></p><p style=\"\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"\">Read the rest of this story in <a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A27111\">Consumer Watchdog in Urban Tulsa Weekly</a>.</span></p></span>','BYOB: Brew Your Own Beer','','publish','open','open','','byob-brew-your-own-beer','','','2009-05-21 00:43:00','2009-05-21 00:43:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=156',0,'post','',3),(157,1,'2009-05-21 22:30:00','2009-05-21 22:30:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShXVA4C8EQI/AAAAAAAABN4/tkFiMD2WGCE/s1600-h/3546936295_2431dac4ae.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShXVA4C8EQI/AAAAAAAABN4/tkFiMD2WGCE/s400/3546936295_2431dac4ae.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338407144339017986\" /></a><br />Go downtown, only to be confused by one-way streets and parking? Convinced you\'ll be mugged if you set foot within the IDL? Maybe the whole urban grit scene just rubs you the wrong way. <div><br /></div><div>Let the folks at <a href=\"http://www.cityoftulsa.org/culture--recreation/tulsa-parks/tulsa-parks-history.aspx\">Tulsa\'s Owen Park</a> change your mind about all that.<div><br /></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\">EDIT//NOTE DATE CHANGE.</span> Art deco lovers and the downtown ambivalent alike will gather at <span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\">9 a.m. Saturday, May 30 at New Centennial Park at 6th Street and Boston Avenue</span> for a stroll on the downtown Tulsa streets hugged by the buildings of oil barons\' dreams. The whole family is welcome; just make sure to wear shoes made for walkin\', because that\'s just what they\'ll do. </div><div><br /></div><div>Grab some coffee Saturday morning, head downtown and prepare your hearts for the inevitable: an irresistible urge to enroll in architecture school. Also, love - sweet love.</div><div><br /></div><div>To be sure you don\'t get left behind, call 596.1485 to register for the walk. Or, <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=79421808845\">register on the page for this event on Facebook</a>. And don\'t pay the meters - downtown parking is free on weekends.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:small;\">Photo by </span></span><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandle/\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:small;\">beatnik</span></span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:small;\">, member of </span></span><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/groups/tashadoestulsa\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:small;\">the Tasha Does Tulsa group on Flickr</span></span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:small;\">.</span></span></div></div>','Our Famous Skyline, From the Inside','','publish','open','open','','our-famous-skyline-from-inside','','','2009-05-21 22:30:00','2009-05-21 22:30:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=157',0,'post','',2),(158,1,'2009-05-23 15:41:00','2009-05-23 15:41:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shgc3FNgYxI/AAAAAAAABOA/lfehbNFmvIM/s1600-h/DSC02393.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shgc3FNgYxI/AAAAAAAABOA/lfehbNFmvIM/s400/DSC02393.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339049090864931602\" border=\"0\" /></a><br /><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 17px;font-family:tahoma;font-size:13;\"  ><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\"><span style=\"font-size:100%;\">Ever wonder how the hundreds <span style=\"font-family:georgia;\">of emergency utility workers who braved the 2007 ice storm – remember, the one that froze the entire state under a three-inch slab of ice, immobilizing the greater Tulsa area for more than a week – found time to eat?<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:100%;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\">Thanks to EXPOSERVE Food &amp; Beverage Management Services, with support from Expo Square’s management team and community volunteers, some 4,000 of those men and women managed to catch a bite for breakfast, lunch and dinner as they worked through the blackout. Add it up, and that’s 75,000 meals served by EXPOSERVE over the course of more than a week.</span></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:100%;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"><br /><br />Read the rest of this story on </span></span><span style=\"font-size:100%;\"><a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/article.asp?aID=176684602.4336359.637871.9116589.757314.818&amp;aID2=49058\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\">the Food page in Tulsa Business Journal</span></span></a></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:100%;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\">.</span></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 17px;font-family:tahoma;font-size:13;\"  ><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\"><span style=\"font-size:100%;\"><br /><br /><br /><span style=\"font-family:georgia;\"></span></span></span></span></span>','More Than Fair Food','','publish','open','open','','more-than-fair-food','','','2009-05-23 15:41:00','2009-05-23 15:41:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=158',0,'post','',0),(159,1,'2009-05-23 16:10:00','2009-05-23 16:10:00','Need yet another excuse to be near water this Memorial Day weekend? Well, get along, little doggies, to <a href=\"http://www.dogdish.com/events/oklahoma-alliance-for-animals\">Rock &amp; Rescue at RiverWalk Crossing in Jenks</a>. <div><br /><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShglG2fVCZI/AAAAAAAABOI/zhnQYuqaT0c/s400/rocknrescueposter.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339058157884082578\" /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">The event, hosted by <a href=\"http://www.animalallianceok.org/\">Oklahoma Alliance for Animals</a>, a local nonprofit committed to reaching a day when no healthy, adoptable dog or cat is destroyed simply because it does not have a home, promises to be a doggone good time. Twitter is already hoppin\' with updates from RiverWalk, and from the sound of things, everyone\'s rocking out to live music, snagging some mad noshes and ooo-ing and ah-ing and scooping up the pets available for adoption there. </div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">If you\'re in the market for a new dog, there\'s no better way to find one than through an adoption. Not only are you giving a homeless animal love, care and a place to call home (an act that I\'m pretty sure earns you extra stars by your name in that little book the gatekeepers of gatekeepers lugs around), but you\'re also voting with your actions against some of the unsavory practices going on in the pet breeding industry. </div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Rock &amp; Rescue got started at 10 this morning and will finish up at 4 this afternoon, so there\'s plenty of time to get out there and experience some puppy love. Until you arrive, follow along on Twitter by following <a href=\"http://twitter.com/billhandy\">@billhandy</a>, <a href=\"http://twitter.com/dogdish\">@dogdish</a>, <a href=\"http://twitter.com/mattgalloway\">@mattgalloway</a> and <a href=\"http://twitter.com/HomemakerHero\">@HomemakerHero</a>.</div>','Rock &amp; Rescue at RiverWalk','','publish','open','open','','rock-rescue','','','2009-05-23 16:10:00','2009-05-23 16:10:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=159',0,'post','',0),(160,1,'2009-05-23 16:55:00','2009-05-23 16:55:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/c/4/1/highres_6275905.jpeg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 405px; height: 600px;\" src=\"http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/c/4/1/highres_6275905.jpeg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a><br />The best way to spend a Sunday afternoon? Eating chicken and baked beans on the back porch, washing it all down with an ice-cold glass of sweet tea. <div><br /></div><div>Then all that\'s left is to work off the two days\' worth of calories you just put away. There\'s no more productive way to do that at this time of year than get down and dirty in the garden. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow afternoon, the whole community can find a new place to burn off those extra handfuls of fried okra and biscuits at <a href=\"http://www.meetup.com/tulsa-community-garden/calendar/10030037/?a=nr1c_grp\">the opening of the Haven of Harmony Community Garden opening celebration</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>The party, which will feature live music, locally grown food and plenty of other entertainment from Tulsa\'s garden societies, will get started at 2 p.m. at 920 S. New Haven, <a href=\"http://www.tulsasda.org/\">on the grounds of the First Seventh Day Adventist Church of Tulsa</a>. Admission is free and, of course, open to the public. </div><div><br /><iframe width=\"425\" height=\"350\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" src=\"http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;source=s_q&amp;hl=en&amp;geocode=&amp;q=920+S.+New+Haven+tulsa,+OK&amp;sll=37.0625,-95.677068&amp;sspn=33.214763,78.134766&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;ll=36.159568,-95.929527&amp;spn=0.008265,0.019076&amp;z=14&amp;iwloc=A&amp;output=embed\"></iframe><br /><small><a href=\"http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;source=embed&amp;hl=en&amp;geocode=&amp;q=920+S.+New+Haven+tulsa,+OK&amp;sll=37.0625,-95.677068&amp;sspn=33.214763,78.134766&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;ll=36.159568,-95.929527&amp;spn=0.008265,0.019076&amp;z=14&amp;iwloc=A\" style=\"color:#0000FF;text-align:left\">View Larger Map</a></small><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As if you needed any more fuel for the garden fever that threatens to overtake your life. But, hey, what am I here for but to help you drive yourself crazy by enabling you to let your passions consume you, right in your own backyard? Literally this time.</div>','What to Do After Church','','publish','open','open','','what-to-do-after-church','','','2009-05-23 16:55:00','2009-05-23 16:55:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=160',0,'post','',1),(161,1,'2009-05-23 17:47:00','2009-05-23 17:47:00','<img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shg4AHaNyfI/AAAAAAAABOQ/wJXVUxSx-JY/s400/CRW_0367.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339078932887882226\" /><br />Remember <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/05/oklahomas-big-fish-and-chance-at-great.html\">the little giveaway hosted here by Laura at BeachBumWannabe.com earlier this week</a>? The one she was using to gift a year\'s pass for one lucky Tulsa-area family to <a href=\"http://okaquarium.org/\">the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks</a>?<div><br /></div><div>Good news: The winner has been chosen!</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 70px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shg4RcFVDXI/AAAAAAAABOY/gHogNpsLP1Y/s400/Picture+3.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339079230495198578\" /><div>Congrats, <a href=\"http://surviving4kids.blogspot.com/\">suburban hippy mama</a> (author of <a href=\"http://surviving4kids.blogspot.com/\">a very amusing local blog, Surviving 4 Kids</a>, which is all about the mommy life in the super-fast lane)! I have a feeling you\'re going to get a lot of mileage out of this pass. Don\'t forget to tell us about your Aquarium adventures, okay?</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for playing, everybody. Don\'t forget to watch <a href=\"http://beachbumwannabe.com\">Laura at BeachBumWannabe.com</a> for more giveaways - she\'s a force to be reckoned with.</div><div> </div>','A Big Catch (and No One Has to Lie)','','publish','open','open','','big-catch-and-no-one-has-to-lie','','','2009-05-23 17:47:00','2009-05-23 17:47:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=161',0,'post','',1),(5309,1,'2011-01-21 15:20:21','2011-01-21 20:20:21','','Circle Cinema','','inherit','open','open','','4771348277_9360650285','','','2011-01-21 15:20:21','2011-01-21 20:20:21','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/4771348277_9360650285.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(163,1,'2009-05-25 02:30:00','2009-05-25 02:30:00','<span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">10. Discover bubbles.</span><br /><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn6WS00wiI/AAAAAAAABPQ/26vOHAymCkg/s1600-h/DSC04997.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn6WS00wiI/AAAAAAAABPQ/26vOHAymCkg/s400/DSC04997.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339574094141899298\" border=\"0\" /></a>I know what you\'re all saying. \"Aw!\" \"Oh, how cute!\" \"Look at those curls!\"<br /><br />See? Like I said, I know.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">9. Bake!</span><br /><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn6vKZmosI/AAAAAAAABPY/no1mmleBbjc/s1600-h/DSC05004.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn6vKZmosI/AAAAAAAABPY/no1mmleBbjc/s400/DSC05004.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339574521376973506\" border=\"0\" /></a><br />Oy.<br /><br />I just don\'t know what I did wrong.<br /><br />Well, actually, I might have a few ideas. I let it rise for an hour and a half, punched it down and let it rise for another hour where I should have let it rise for an hour, punched it down and let it rise for another 30 minutes. When I brushed on the egg white, this overinflated baguette wannabe sort of, well, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">de</span>flated.<br /><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn6841EhyI/AAAAAAAABPg/qKDJHIE9kuA/s1600-h/DSC05007.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn6841EhyI/AAAAAAAABPg/qKDJHIE9kuA/s400/DSC05007.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339574757178509090\" border=\"0\" /></a>Now it\'s an oblong focaccia. Yeah, that\'s it - an asymmetrical, UFO-reminiscent, mildly pitiful oblong focaccia.<br /><br />Mildly. This is what happens to a person when she is not only on the brink of insanity thanks to the styrofoam we call bread in this part of the country, but also trying to save $1.79. Because <a href=\"http://www.918couponqueenblog.com/\">the Coupon Queen</a> has bit me. Hard. I\'m bruised and bleeding, but at least I\'m leaking sanity and not cash this time.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">8. Terrorize defenseless puppies.</span><br /><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn8o22pEGI/AAAAAAAABPw/J5wV8rVo_PI/s1600-h/DSC05011.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn8o22pEGI/AAAAAAAABPw/J5wV8rVo_PI/s400/DSC05011.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339576612074098786\" border=\"0\" /></a><br />Oh, boy.<br /><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn8ttROCKI/AAAAAAAABP4/59fvbqtvwKo/s1600-h/DSC05012.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn8ttROCKI/AAAAAAAABP4/59fvbqtvwKo/s400/DSC05012.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339576695400564898\" border=\"0\" /></a><br />All I can say is, Welcome to the family, little doggies.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">7. Grow dimples.</span><br /><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn9P9gwprI/AAAAAAAABQA/mUJzoSoaHPA/s1600-h/DSC05009.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn9P9gwprI/AAAAAAAABQA/mUJzoSoaHPA/s400/DSC05009.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339577283876267698\" border=\"0\" /></a><br />As if you needed a reason.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">6. Eat stuff. </span><br /><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn9nbJXV2I/AAAAAAAABQI/ag6h_ROwm7Q/s1600-h/DSC05017.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn9nbJXV2I/AAAAAAAABQI/ag6h_ROwm7Q/s400/DSC05017.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339577686968194914\" border=\"0\" /></a><br />Why, no, a love of food doesn\'t run in the family - I just don\'t know why you would suggest such a thing.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">5. Eat more stuff.</span><br /><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn-FwA9d3I/AAAAAAAABQQ/gKcUgJutE5c/s1600-h/DSC05021.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn-FwA9d3I/AAAAAAAABQQ/gKcUgJutE5c/s400/DSC05021.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339578207966164850\" border=\"0\" /></a><br />Cheese it up, Dad. Cheese it up.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">4. Rock out while, you guessed it, eating stuff.<br /><br /></span><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn-dewNEMI/AAAAAAAABQY/v8O-Lgz9pqM/s1600-h/DSC05022.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn-dewNEMI/AAAAAAAABQY/v8O-Lgz9pqM/s400/DSC05022.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339578615649341634\" border=\"0\" /></a><br />From whence I came. Now you all don\'t have to wonder what\'s wrong with me anymore.<br /><br />Just kidding, Dad. You keep on rockin\'.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">3. Make green Jello.</span><br /><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn6PmrEJRI/AAAAAAAABPI/SOzjHH4p3uY/s1600-h/DSC05035.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn6PmrEJRI/AAAAAAAABPI/SOzjHH4p3uY/s400/DSC05035.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339573979210589458\" border=\"0\" /></a>Now in Lilting Lime flavor. Don\'t offer any to the kids, if you know what I mean.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">2. Bust a move.<br /><br /></span><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShoAvxsfLKI/AAAAAAAABQ4/ouqmQrfmBPE/s1600-h/DSC05024.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShoAvxsfLKI/AAAAAAAABQ4/ouqmQrfmBPE/s400/DSC05024.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339581128994925730\" border=\"0\" /></a><br />The Lilting Lime Jello served in the smart little martini glasses had nothing to do with this. Nothing at all.<br /><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShoAhhHBPXI/AAAAAAAABQw/eHfgDmX0kv8/s1600-h/DSC05028.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShoAhhHBPXI/AAAAAAAABQw/eHfgDmX0kv8/s400/DSC05028.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339580884024638834\" border=\"0\" /></a><br /><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">1. Smile.<br /><br /></span><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn_i3c0N8I/AAAAAAAABQg/p4O9gpWMvCU/s1600-h/DSC05031.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn_i3c0N8I/AAAAAAAABQg/p4O9gpWMvCU/s400/DSC05031.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339579807689881538\" border=\"0\" /></a><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn_1aYDy7I/AAAAAAAABQo/LkJ4walcLwE/s1600-h/DSC05029.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shn_1aYDy7I/AAAAAAAABQo/LkJ4walcLwE/s400/DSC05029.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339580126302817202\" border=\"0\" /></a>How can you help it? It\'s the Oklahoma way.<br /><br />Have a great holiday, everyone. Consume your Jello responsibly.','Top 10 Ways to Spend Memorial Day Weekend, Okie Style','','publish','open','open','','top-10-ways-to-spend-memorial-day','','','2009-05-25 02:30:00','2009-05-25 02:30:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=163',0,'post','',8),(164,1,'2009-05-25 13:00:00','2009-05-25 13:00:00','Because it\'s Monday, let\'s start off the week with something simple. Easy to understand. Common sensical. Downright duh.\r\n\r\nProvide subject:\r\n\r\n<img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339563245471110450\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: hand; width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shnwe0YJlTI/AAAAAAAABOw/AvLhzkj0lig/s400/3312655870_83a8bb7976.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nWith Stimulus A:\r\n\r\n<img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337522952999149954\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShKw2KoCIYI/AAAAAAAABKg/aleu8P0Boso/s400/DSC02909-1.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nSubject response is:\r\n\r\n<img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337522653691214226\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShKwkvndeZI/AAAAAAAABKY/a7_bCtIZlcY/s400/DSC04094.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nEasy enough, right? I mean, who could resist that darling little box of cupcakes, each pretty as a little picture? Not I, said the cat.\r\n\r\nThose cupcakes are from <a href=\"http://www.kupcakz.com/\">the new shop at 71st Street and Mingo Drive</a>, by the way - you know, <a href=\"http://www.kupcakz.com/\">Kupcakz</a>. Maybe it\'s that place you\'ve been meaning to check out. Or, it could be to where your car drives automatically during those times when you go on autopilot and can\'t quite explain how you traveled from one spot to another. Your mind\'s a blank. You remember nothing.\r\n\r\nBut your instincts are rewarded with cupcake deliciosities like Morning Buzz (rich espresso-soaked chocolate cake with mocha buttercream buzzed with French chocolate sprinkles - oh!), My Peanut Butter Cup (dark chocolate cake with creamy peanut butter frosting, chocolate splitters and toasted peanuts - OH.) and Boston Dreamer (fluffy yellow cake filled with French pastry cream and capped with bittersweet chocolate ganache - PURRRR.).\r\n\r\nNow <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">that\'s</span> positive reinforcement.\r\n\r\nOkay, that was fun. Let\'s do it again!\r\n\r\nProvide subject:\r\n\r\n<img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339564119454343618\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: hand; width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShnxRsN_YcI/AAAAAAAABO4/7wspbQ7IFzg/s400/3312653534_aa08ca8315.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nWith Stimulus B:\r\n\r\n<img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337521958815906386\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShKv8TARulI/AAAAAAAABKQ/HYUzodACHWE/s400/DSC04281-1.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nSushi from <a href=\"http://www.utulsa.edu/collegian/article.asp?article=3043\">Sushi Train, at 51st Street and Harvard Avenue (click for a great, fun article from the kids at The Collegian at The University of Tulsa)</a>- sushi that the subject\'s female parental unit would just assume not tell anyone about, ever, so she can have it all to herself.\r\n\r\nSubject response:\r\n\r\n<img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5djEI_gT7AI/SeuAuAWMCvI/AAAAAAAAAY8/wPzOQHN7eW4/s400/scared+face.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n...quite unlike anything any of you have seen before, I\'m sure. You can\'t win \'em all.\r\n\r\nI\'m having a lot of fun with this. Can you tell?\r\n\r\nProvide subject:\r\n\r\n<img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339483056816577954\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: hand; width: 400px; height: 267px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShmnjOXE3aI/AAAAAAAABOo/6UmVP8LxuOo/s400/tulsaskyline.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nWith Stimulus C(upcakes - a chance to win a half-dozen of them, to be exact, each and every one from <a href=\"http://kupcakz.com/menu.php\">the glorious display case at Kupcakz and made fresh from the highest quality ingredients the world has to offer by Chef Doreen</a>):\r\n\r\n<img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339480707269496738\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: hand; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShmladnZj6I/AAAAAAAABOg/hCK3n-Nhq-8/s400/Kupcakz.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nResponse is: To be determined. By you, of course. Powerful feeling, isn\'t it? I love feeling the power of the power to empower you to feel powerful.\r\n\r\nEyes starting to salivate? Better win the cupcakes soon, then. How to do it? I\'ll tell you.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Invent a cupcake.</span> It can be silly, it can be serious, it can be whatever you want it to be - just tell me all about what your ideal cupcake would be like. To be eligible for this giveaway, you have to be creative. Why? Because the genius behind my favorite answer will be six cupcakes fatter by the time I\'m through with them.\r\n\r\nEnter as many times as you wish by inventing cupcakes on this post, via tweet (just make sure to put @tashadoestulsa in there so I can see your entry) or my Facebook wall before 8 a.m. Wednesday morning, May 27.\r\n\r\nI love these contests, the ones that reveal the creativity of the cupcake obsessed. Because there are so many of those. Good luck!','Not Exactly What Pavlov Had in Mind','Mmm...cupcakes. Or, rather, Kupcakz.','publish','open','open','','kupcakz-tulsa-giveaway','','','2011-02-10 15:46:28','2011-02-10 20:46:28','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=164',0,'post','',23),(5824,1,'2011-02-09 19:09:16','2011-02-10 00:09:16','<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"500\" height=\"400\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/AOaEng1pLPg?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"500\" height=\"400\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/AOaEng1pLPg?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\nThe otters in that video, who live to entertain at the <a href=\"http://www.okaquarium.org/\">Oklahoma Aquarium</a> - aren\'t they adorable? Be like them this Valentine\'s Day and go crazy with one of these options for lovey-dovey entertainment.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Valentine\'s Day for Tulsa Kids and Families</h2>\r\n<strong>Tower Tots: Valentine’s Tea Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Tuesday, Feb. 8, 10am\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.pricetower.org/\">Price Tower Arts Center</a>, 510 South Dewey Avenue in Bartlesville\r\nCatch a morning story and Valentine\'s Day-flavored activity hour for kids aged 3-6. Be sure to call ahead to register for this free event.\r\n\r\n<strong>Sweetheart Tea Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Wednesday, Feb. 9, 10am\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsaparks.org/\">Whiteside Community Center</a>, 4009 S. Pittsburg Ave.\r\nThe kids can celebrate Valentine\'s Day this year with crafts, snacks and more. For ages 2-5 years. Cost is $6.\r\n\r\n<strong>Preschool Story Time: Valentine\'s Day Party</strong>\r\nWhen: Thursday, Feb. 10, 10:30am\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsalibrary.org/\">Pratt Library</a>, 3219 S. 113th W. Ave. in Sand Springs\r\nDress the kiddos up in red pink and bring goodies to share with the rest of the kids at story time today. This event is for ages 5 and younger with an adult.\r\n\r\n<strong>Valentines by You!</strong>\r\nWhen: Thursday, Feb. 10, 3pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsalibrary.org/\">Judy Z. Kishner Library</a>, 10150 N. Cincinnati Ave.\r\nStop by Judy Z. Kishner Library after school and make your own Valentine\'s Day cards for your relatives, friends or maybe even that special someone. Card-making supplies will be available all evening for this drop-in event, open through 7pm. This event is for ages 12 and younger.\r\n\r\n<strong>Valentine Crafting</strong>\r\nWhen: Thursday, Feb. 10, 5pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsaparks.org/\">Hicks Park</a>, 3443 S. Mingo Road\r\nKids can bring a friend to make a craft valentine to give to someone special. Pre-register by calling (918) 669-6355. For ages 8-13. Cost is $10.\r\n\r\n<strong>Father/Daughter Dance</strong>\r\nWhen: Friday, Feb. 11, 7pm\r\nWhere: Barnes Elementary, 7809 E 76th Street North\r\nThis event is opened to the entire Owasso Community, and is for children up to 5th grade and their parents. Cost is $5 per couple, or $7 for families attending both the Father/Daughter Dance and the Mother/Son Bash. All the proceeds will benefit Owasso\'s Elementary and 6th Grade Odyssey of the Mind teams, as well as the YMCA\'s Strong Kids Campaign.\r\n\r\n<strong>Free Family Day at Philbrook</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, Feb. 12, starting at 10am\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.philbrook.org/\">Philbrook Museum of Art</a>, 2727 S. Rockford Ave.\r\nTake 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 you want to do this Valentine\'s Day thing, you can find it at Philbrook on Free Family Day.\r\n\r\n<strong>Valentine\'s Day Cookie Decorating</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, Feb. 12, 10am; 11am; 12pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.sageculinarystudio.com/\">Sage Culinary Studio</a>, on Brookside and in Bixby, at 105th and Memorial\r\nSign the kids up to make seven V-Day-themed cookies - that\'s one to eat, six to take home or to gift to their special someone (read: that\'s Mommy, if you know what\'s good for ya). The greatest part about this kid-friendly Valentine\'s Day activity? Parents get out of clean-up duty, scott free. Cost is $15. Registration after Feb. 10 is $20.\r\n\r\n<strong>Daddy/Daughter Dance</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, Feb. 12, 6pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.brokenarrowok.gov/\">Nienhuis Community Center</a>, 3201 North 9th Street in Broken Arrow\r\nDo something special this year with your daughter - get gussied up and head to this daddy/daughter dance. This year the theme for the dance will be a sock-hop, so come dressed casually.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mother/Son Bash</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, Feb. 12, 7pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.ymca.org/\">Owasso YMCA</a>, 8300 N. Owasso Expressway\r\nThis event is opened to the entire Owasso Community, and is for children up to 5th grade and their parents. Cost is $5 per couple, or $7 for families attending both the Father/Daughter Dance and the Mother/Son Bash. All the proceeds will benefit Owasso\'s Elementary and 6th Grade Odyssey of the Mind teams, as well as the YMCA\'s Strong Kids Campaign.\r\n\r\n<strong>Skatedate</strong>\r\nWhen: Sunday, Feb. 13, starting at 10am\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.bokcenter.com/default.asp?bok=227&amp;objId=602\">BOK Center</a>, 200 S. Denver Ave.\r\nBack by popular demand, Skate Date returns in 2011 for an encore at the BOK Center. Skate Date 2010 welcomed over 7,500 skaters and 10,000 visitors to the 17,000-square-foot indoor arena at the BOK Center in Downtown Tulsa. It\'s one the short list of top Valentine\'s Day events here in the Tulsa area and is an easy option for kids, couples and singles alike - oh, and there will be exhibitions by local figure skaters, music and a DJ, photo opps in front of a smirk-worthy green screen, concessions, flower and novelty stands and a giant mirrored disco ball to enjoy while you\'re there, too. New to Skate Date this year is an interactive Kids Zone area, complete with inflatables and  bounce houses sponsored by H&amp;R Block (who, by the way, will be at the event and willing to give your 2009 and 2010 tax returns a free second look). Admission is free; if you opt not to bring your own skates, you can rent a pair for $10. Also available at this year\'s Skate Date will be horse and carriage rides, just outside the BOK Center at the corner of 3rd Street and Denver Avenue - those start at noon and run until 8pm. For more info, visit <a href=\"http://www.bokcenter.com/default.asp?bok=227&amp;objId=602\">BOKCenter.com</a>.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"MCCALL STYLE &amp; BEAUTY by George Eastman House, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/george_eastman_house/3122875541/\"><img class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/3122875541_11bf6685c2.jpg\" alt=\"MCCALL STYLE &amp; BEAUTY\" width=\"406\" height=\"500\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Valentine\'s Day Date Night Ideas in Tulsa</h2>\r\n<strong>Falling in Love Again: An Evening of Shakespeare\'s Valentines</strong>\r\nWhen: Thursday, Feb. 10, 7pm; Friday, Feb. 11, 7pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=178446285519380\">Club 209</a>, 209 N. Boulder Avenue\r\nThe sonnets of William Shakespeare are some of the most beautiful love poems ever written. Watch as the Actors Company of Tulsa presents these sonnets in a night of elegance, love, and fun that is sure to be a night that you won\'t soon forget. The bonus? It\'s all free and open to the public. Ages 21+ only.\r\n\r\n<strong>Love Song</strong>\r\nWhen: Feb. 10-12, 7:30pm; Feb. 13, 2pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsapac.com/calendar.asp?id=1572&amp;thedate=2/5/2011&amp;task=display\">Tulsa Performing Arts Center</a>, 110 E. Second Street\r\nJoin Playhouse Tulsa this Valentine\'s Day and settle in for what\'s sure to be an expert performance of a man named Beane, who is invisible to his career-focused sister and her cynical husband. His life is a shrinking, darkening world - that is, until Molly appears. When the two meet, suddently all the old love songs make sense. Written by John Kolvenbach, Love Song premiered at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company in March 2006 and later opened in London’s West End, garnering a 2007 Olivier Award Nomination for Best New Comedy. Recommended for mature audiences. <a href=\"http://www.tulsapac.com/calendar.asp?id=1572&amp;thedate=2/5/2011&amp;task=display\">Tickets are $25</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Valentine\'s Bingo</strong>\r\nWhen: Thursday, Feb. 10, 1:30pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsaparks.org/\">Hicks Park</a>, 3443 S. Mingo Road\r\nSeniors can play for prizes, enjoy some sweet treats and meet new friends at this Valentine\'s Day-themed get-together. Bring a snack item to share and the folks at Hicks Park will do the rest. Call (918) 669-6355 to reserve your spot. Free to attend. Ages 55 and older.\r\n\r\n<strong>Wild Hearts Ball</strong>\r\nWhen: Friday, Feb. 11\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.okeq.org/\">Dennis R. Neill Equality Center</a>, 621 E. Fourth Street\r\nLooking for a wild-yet-free party this Valentine\'s Day weekend? Join Oklahomans for Equality at the annual Wild Hearts Ball. Don\'t forget to belly up to the cash bar, get your picture taken with cupid and contribute to OKEQ\'s upcoming mortgage burning party. Fun!\r\n\r\n<strong>Sweetheart Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, Feb. 12\r\nWhere: Mohawk Park\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. Races are 5K, 10K and 20K -<a href=\"http://www.fleetfeettulsa.com/sweetheart-run\">learn more here</a>, <a href=\"https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=4246\">register here</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Valentine’s Day Poker Run</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, Feb. 12\r\nWhere: Lee Elementary, 1920 S. Cincinnati Ave.\r\nPoker 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 got together and made a baby – a sweaty baby, but still. <a href=\"http://www.runnersworldtulsa.com/\">Learn more here</a>, <a href=\"https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=4115\">register here</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Valentine\'s Cards</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, Feb. 12, 10am\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsaparks.org/\">WaterWorks Art Studio</a>, 1710 Charles Page Boulevard\r\nStudents will make a one-of-a-kind Valentine\'s Day card for their favorite sweetie and work in a day\'s worth of cutting, folding and pasting at the same time. Cost is $40. For ages 16 and older.\r\n\r\n<strong>Murder Mystery Dinner</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, Feb. 12, 6pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsaairandspacemuseum.com/\">Tulsa Air and Space Museum &amp; Planetarium</a>, 3624 North 74th East Avenue\r\nMystery, intrigue, torrid love affairs and murder - it\'s everything that Valentine\'s Day represents, right? Heh. Join the folks at TASM for this Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, where comedy, mayhem and music will unfold and food and libations will be in plenty supply. Take the evening to solve with your special someone what happened to Amelia Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan. Cost is $100 per couple, $50 per individual. Attire is 1940s costume or business casual. Ages 21+ only. Reservations are required; call (918) 834-9900, ext. 122 to make yours.\r\n\r\n<strong>Tony Valentine\'s Girls Night Out</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, Feb. 12, 7pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.milliondollarelm.com/\">Osage Event Center</a>, 951 W. 36 Street North\r\nHubba, hubba. A group of guys with abs suited perfectly for the grating of cheese will be in Tulsa Valentine\'s Day weekend. Grab the girls and head to Osage Event Center at the Million Dollar Elm Casino to see \'em. Tickets are $10.\r\n\r\n<strong>Love and Lust</strong>\r\nWhen: Saturday, Feb. 12, 8pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=104208986324360\">Living Arts of Tulsa</a>, 307 E. Brady Street\r\nGet ready for a night of long stares, bated breaths and raised libidos as some of Tulsa’s hottest poets make it a Valentine’s to remember. With special performance by Tulsa’s own Mason. Bar opens at 7pm. Cost is $7, or $5 for members.\r\n\r\n<strong>Trio Cavatina</strong>\r\nWhen: Sunday, Feb. 13, 3pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.tulsapac.com/calendar.asp?id=1454&amp;thedate=2/5/2011&amp;task=display\">Tulsa Performing Arts Center</a>, 110 E. Second Street\r\nLittle is sexier than good string music from an outstanding chamber ensemble. Hear the music of Fanny Mendelssohn, Gabriela Ortiz Torres, Augusta Reed Thomas and Felix Mendelssohn as performed by the women of Trio Cavatina with a special someone at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center today. <a href=\"http://www.tulsapac.com/calendar.asp?id=1454&amp;thedate=2/5/2011&amp;task=display\">Tickets are $25</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Jazz Keyboard Concert with the Tulsa Jazz Society</strong>\r\nWhen: Sunday, Feb. 13, 5pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.okjazz.org/\">Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame</a>, 111 E. First Street\r\nTake a trip back to the sexy, swinging jazz age at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame with music by the likes of Donald Ryan, Cheryl Bocanegra, Scott McQuade and Sonny Gray. Guys, this event will be a guaranteed hit with the ladies.\r\n\r\n<strong>Valentine\'s Day Cabaret</strong>\r\nWhen: Sunday, Feb. 13, 6pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=177145755653414\">Harwelden Mansion</a>, 2210 S. Main Street\r\nEnjoy fantastic food prepared by the fabulous Palace Cafe as you listen to music by Light Opera Oklahoma favorite Andrea Leap and LOOK Festival artistic director Eric Gibson at the piano. Dinner will be seated throughout Harwelden, one of Tulsa\'s most beloved mansions - the breakfast room, the formal dining room, upstairs, on the grand staircase landing - giving you the feel of what it must have been like to dine in the house during its hey day. Tickets are $150 per couple, which includes dinner, wine, dessert, the cabaret performance and parking. Make reservations by calling (918) 583-4267.\r\n\r\n<strong>Valentine\'s Day Special Performance: Steve Kramer</strong>\r\nWhen: Monday, Feb. 14, 8pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.loonybincomedy.com/\">The Loony Bin</a>, 6808 S. Memorial Drive\r\nI would say something here about funny Valentines, but that\'d be too easy. So instead, I\'ll just say that if you\'re looking for a way to laugh Valentine\'s Day away, comedian Steve Kramer brings you your chance. Tickets are $10 per person, or get two tickets with a dessert of New York Cheesecake with fresh strawberries and chocolate drizzle and two glasses of Champange for $35.\r\n\r\n<strong>Black Hearts Bash</strong>\r\nWhen: Monday, Feb. 14, 7pm\r\nWhere: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=176486972394125&amp;index=1\">Shenanigan\'s</a>, 31st and Memorial\r\nHate Valentine\'s Day? Then this karaoke event will be right up your alley. Look also for free food and drink specials.  And someone, please, sing Total Eclipse of the Heart for me. Please.\r\n\r\nWhat are YOU doing to celebrate (or bemoan, depending) Valentine\'s Day in Tulsa this year?\r\n\r\nDon\'t see your Valentine\'s Day event on this list? No sweat - we can fix that. <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">E-mail me with your event details</a>.','Valentine\'s Day in Tulsa: Make your plans now.','What are YOU doing to celebrate (or bemoan, depending) Valentine\'s Day in Tulsa this year?','inherit','open','open','','5199-revision-22','','','2011-02-09 19:09:16','2011-02-10 00:09:16','',5199,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/02/5199-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(165,1,'2009-05-26 14:00:00','2009-05-26 14:00:00','I logged on to the Interwebs this morning to see <a href=\"http://irritatedtulsan.wordpress.com/2009/05/26/mfo-2/\">Irritated Tulsan\'s feature of the QuikTrip 49-cent fountain drink</a>. What a lovely way to start the morning - a towering cup of frosty, sweaty, perfectly sweet Dr Pepper.<br /><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://irritatedtulsan.wordpress.com/2009/05/26/mfo-2/\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 425px; height: 567px;\" src=\"http://irritatedtulsan.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/491.jpg\" alt=\"\" border=\"0\" /></a><br />Boy howdy. Those QT folks just know how to pour \'em. And Irritated Tulsan knows how to shoot a drink to make my eyes and my ears and my <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">very pores</span> salivate.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://www.kbez.com/jockbios/carly.aspx\">Carly Rush (of 92.9 KBEZ fame)</a> saw Irritated Tulsan\'s post, too, and commented that when she saw on her drive to work this morning that QT\'s 49-cent drink billboards are up, she knew that summer must be upon us.<br /><br />It\'s true. Though summer doesn\'t get its official start until late next month, we Tulsans start reaping the benefits of 9 o\'clock sunsets, 92 percent humidity and scorching temperatures a good 30 days beforehand. When the ads for the SofPools come out, most of us have been swimming for a month already. When the sun is shining and the days are hot, we don\'t waste any time here in T-Town.<br /><br />Not that we don\'t have until mid-October to wear shorts and bathing suit tops while we mow the grass, but still, when time\'s a wastin\', we don\'t mess around. And not that we wear bathing suit tops while we mow (cough, cough - no, not at all). I\'m just trying to make a point here.<br /><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shv4q2rT4yI/AAAAAAAABRI/1b_NS5ybWYM/s1600-h/DSC04862-1.JPG\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shv4q2rT4yI/AAAAAAAABRI/1b_NS5ybWYM/s400/DSC04862-1.JPG\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340135198293222178\" border=\"0\" /></a>I used to have a bearded dragon lizard that, once summer came, loved to eat these flowers. Well, not these. <a href=\"http://www.uticasquare.com/\">These are at Utica Square</a>. I bet my mom asked three dozen times that summer if I knew what had happened to her hibiscus. How am I supposed to know? I\'d ask her. I\'m not your garden boy.<br /><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b9/Bearded_Dragon_showing_beard.jpg\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 385px; height: 288px;\" src=\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b9/Bearded_Dragon_showing_beard.jpg\" alt=\"\" border=\"0\" /></a><br />I was a somewhat unruly teenager. Sorry, Mom.<br /><br />My favorite things to do during summer in Tulsa? Watch the <a href=\"http://tulsa.drillers.milb.com/schedule/index.jsp?sid=t260&amp;m=06&amp;y=2009\">fireworks at a Friday night Tulsa Drillers Game</a> (and get my beer on at Thirsty Thursdays, when beer and soft drinks are just $1). Eat every meal on the patio, even breakfast and especially coffee. Hang out at the farmers\' markets. Stroll along Cherry Street or at <a href=\"http://www.riverparks.org/\">River Parks, stopping to climb on the animal sculptures and to watch the flow of the Arkansas</a>. This year I\'m going to <a href=\"http://tulsalibrary.org/eventguide/events/SRP_ch_prize-poster_09_sm.pdf\">read books with my kid for the summer reading program at Tulsa City-County Library</a>.<br /><br />What do you like doing during summer in Tulsa? What tells you summer is here? I\'d love to hear about what you all get up to during the long days ahead.','Signs of Summer','','publish','open','open','','signs-of-summer','','','2009-05-26 14:00:00','2009-05-26 14:00:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=165',0,'post','',7),(166,1,'2009-05-27 14:49:00','2009-05-27 14:49:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Banknotes.jpg\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 535px; height: 399px;\" src=\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Banknotes.jpg\" alt=\"\" border=\"0\" /></a>Just because the economy sucks and hundreds of thousands of people have lost their jobs and many more have seen their life\'s savings vanish into thin air doesn\'t mean we all can\'t have a good time. <p>After all, there\'s a treasure trove of free, exciting things to do in Tulsa. Here\'s a list of some of the best:</p><p><a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A27160\">Get the list of the free in Consumer Watchdog in this week\'s edition of Urban Tulsa Weekly</a>.<br /></p>','Let Freedom Ring: 14 Free Things to Do in Tulsa','','publish','open','open','','let-freedom-ring-14-free-things-to-do','','','2009-05-27 14:49:00','2009-05-27 14:49:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=166',0,'post','',2),(167,1,'2009-05-28 00:50:00','2009-05-28 00:50:00','<img style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: hand; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShKw2KoCIYI/AAAAAAAABKg/aleu8P0Boso/s400/DSC02909-1.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/05/not-exactly-what-pavlov-had-in-mind.html\">Monday I posted one of my crazy contests</a>. This time I wanted to give away a box of a half-dozen picture-perfect cupcakes from, where else, <a href=\"http://www.kupcakz.com/\">Kupcakz</a>, Tulsa\'s first and only little cupcake shop, at 71st and Mingo.\r\n<div>To enter, readers were asked to unleash their creative juices and come up with a fantasy cupcake - the cupcake of their dreams.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>You guys. I have never been so tantalized, allured, and downright hungered by a contest on this blog before. Some seriously creative cupcake lovers live in this city. Good thing there\'s a bakery to cater to those tastes, huh?</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>I had a really hard time choosing a winner today, which explains why this post is sliding in at 8 p.m. rather than this morning when I\'d planned. I wanted to make sure I\'d picked the most creative, the most fun, the most innovative cupcake design submitted.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>I think, though, that\'d we can all agree on the winner.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Anna Marie, with her Fourth of July Fireworks cupcake!</div>\r\n<img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340671009513884978\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: hand; width: 400px; height: 83px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sh3f_LBNTTI/AAAAAAAABRc/Kk99lR1Q-aQ/s400/Picture+1.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\r\n<div>Congrats, Anna Marie! E-mail me tashadoestulsa at gmail  dot com to claim your prize.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>I have to say, though, that one other cupcake caught my eye and grabbed my imagination.</div>\r\n<img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340670728872929426\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: hand; width: 400px; height: 62px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sh3fu1jMKJI/AAAAAAAABRU/fCeJYcvhXrw/s400/Picture+2.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\r\n<div>madonnacramer, out of all the cupcake designs submitted, yours would be the one I would mostly likely eat until I passed out in a sugar coma. Raspberry and lemon - so bright, sweet and fresh. Perfect for early summer. Get in my belly!</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>There\'s a line we haven\'t heard in awhile, eh?</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Congrats, madonnacramer! E-mail me to claim your prize.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Thanks to all who did a little cupcake dreamin\' for this giveaway. Keep those ideas handy, folks, because this sweet contest won\'t be the last.</div>','What\'s New, Cupcake','','publish','open','open','','kupcakz-tulsa','','','2011-02-10 15:42:48','2011-02-10 20:42:48','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=167',0,'post','',6),(5822,1,'2011-02-10 15:46:07','2011-02-10 20:46:07','Because it\'s Monday, let\'s start off the week with something simple. Easy to understand. Common sensical. Downright duh.\n\nProvide subject:\n\n<img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339563245471110450\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: hand; width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Shnwe0YJlTI/AAAAAAAABOw/AvLhzkj0lig/s400/3312655870_83a8bb7976.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\n\nWith Stimulus A:\n\n<img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337522952999149954\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShKw2KoCIYI/AAAAAAAABKg/aleu8P0Boso/s400/DSC02909-1.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\n\nSubject response is:\n\n<img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337522653691214226\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShKwkvndeZI/AAAAAAAABKY/a7_bCtIZlcY/s400/DSC04094.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\n\nEasy enough, right? I mean, who could resist that darling little box of cupcakes, each pretty as a little picture? Not I, said the cat.\n\nThose cupcakes are from <a href=\"http://www.kupcakz.com/\">the new shop at 71st Street and Mingo Drive</a>, by the way - you know, <a href=\"http://www.kupcakz.com/\">Kupcakz</a>. Maybe it\'s that place you\'ve been meaning to check out. Or, it could be to where your car drives automatically during those times when you go on autopilot and can\'t quite explain how you traveled from one spot to another. Your mind\'s a blank. You remember nothing.\n\nBut your instincts are rewarded with cupcake deliciosities like Morning Buzz (rich espresso-soaked chocolate cake with mocha buttercream buzzed with French chocolate sprinkles - oh!), My Peanut Butter Cup (dark chocolate cake with creamy peanut butter frosting, chocolate splitters and toasted peanuts - OH.) and Boston Dreamer (fluffy yellow cake filled with French pastry cream and capped with bittersweet chocolate ganache - PURRRR.).\n\nNow <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">that\'s</span> positive reinforcement.\n\nOkay, that was fun. Let\'s do it again!\n\nProvide subject:\n\n<img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339564119454343618\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: hand; width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShnxRsN_YcI/AAAAAAAABO4/7wspbQ7IFzg/s400/3312653534_aa08ca8315.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\n\nWith Stimulus B:\n\n<img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337521958815906386\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShKv8TARulI/AAAAAAAABKQ/HYUzodACHWE/s400/DSC04281-1.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\n\nSushi from <a href=\"http://www.utulsa.edu/collegian/article.asp?article=3043\">Sushi Train, at 51st Street and Harvard Avenue (click for a great, fun article from the kids at The Collegian at The University of Tulsa)</a>- sushi that the subject\'s female parental unit would just assume not tell anyone about, ever, so she can have it all to herself.\n\nSubject response:\n\n<img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5djEI_gT7AI/SeuAuAWMCvI/AAAAAAAAAY8/wPzOQHN7eW4/s400/scared+face.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\n\n...quite unlike anything any of you have seen before, I\'m sure. You can\'t win \'em all.\n\nI\'m having a lot of fun with this. Can you tell?\n\nProvide subject:\n\n<img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339483056816577954\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: hand; width: 400px; height: 267px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShmnjOXE3aI/AAAAAAAABOo/6UmVP8LxuOo/s400/tulsaskyline.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\n\nWith Stimulus C(upcakes - a chance to win a half-dozen of them, to be exact, each and every one from <a href=\"http://kupcakz.com/menu.php\">the glorious display case at Kupcakz and made fresh from the highest quality ingredients the world has to offer by Chef Doreen</a>):\n\n<img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339480707269496738\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: hand; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShmladnZj6I/AAAAAAAABOg/hCK3n-Nhq-8/s400/Kupcakz.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\n\nResponse is: To be determined. By you, of course. Powerful feeling, isn\'t it? I love feeling the power of the power to empower you to feel powerful.\n\nEyes starting to salivate? Better win the cupcakes soon, then. How to do it? I\'ll tell you.\n\n<span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Invent a cupcake.</span> It can be silly, it can be serious, it can be whatever you want it to be - just tell me all about what your ideal cupcake would be like. To be eligible for this giveaway, you have to be creative. Why? Because the genius behind my favorite answer will be six cupcakes fatter by the time I\'m through with them.\n\nEnter as many times as you wish by inventing cupcakes on this post, via tweet (just make sure to put @tashadoestulsa in there so I can see your entry) or my Facebook wall before 8 a.m. Wednesday morning, May 27.\n\nI love these contests, the ones that reveal the creativity of the cupcake obsessed. Because there are so many of those. Good luck!','Not Exactly What Pavlov Had in Mind','','inherit','open','open','','164-autosave','','','2011-02-10 15:46:07','2011-02-10 20:46:07','',164,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/02/164-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(10017,1,'2011-12-19 13:51:14','2011-12-19 19:51:14','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=10015\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10015\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/disco-ball-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"by dichoecho\" title=\"disco ball\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-10015\" /></a>\r\n\r\nChampagne, fireworks, parties, live music, stuff to do for the kids and those silly 2012 glasses – you want it all this New Year’s Eve, and it’s right here in Tulsa.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://dowhat.thislandpress.com/event_tags/new-years-eve/\" target=\"_blank\">Find the full list of parties in the Tulsa area this New Year’s Eve right here at DO WHAT?</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://dowhat.thislandpress.com/12/31/2011/?post_type=events\" target=\"_blank\">Get the list of everything going on in and around Tulsa on the final day of 2011</a>.\r\n\r\n','New Year\'s Eve Tulsa 2011: Where to Celebrate','','inherit','open','open','','10014-revision-2','','','2011-12-19 13:51:14','2011-12-19 19:51:14','',10014,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/12/10014-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(10018,1,'2011-12-19 09:29:56','2011-12-19 15:29:56','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/12/around-town-family-style-chicken-dinner-at-brady-tavern/bradytavernchickendinner/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9997\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/BradyTavernChickenDinner-500x500.jpg\" alt=\"Brady Tavern Chicken Dinner Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"Brady Tavern Chicken Dinner Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-9997\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Winner, winner, chicken dinner</strong>. <a href=\"Brady Tavern Chicken Dinner Tulsa Oklahoma\" target=\"_blank\">We\'re all very much aware of the love I have for the Tavern Burger at Brady Tavern</a>, found in Tulsa\'s Brady Arts District at Brady and Main. In fact, I\'ve been really impressed with everything I\'ve had there, but perhaps not so much as what I experienced last night: Family-style chicken dinner night, a Sunday tradition at Brady Tavern. Here\'s how it works: A bowl of crispy, pan-fried chicken comes to the table, accompanied by a bowl of the biggest, flakiest biscuits you\'ve ever had the pleasure to meet, plus your choice of two sides — cheese grits, Brussels sprouts, sauteed peas or mashed potatoes with (the best) gravy (I\'ve ever had, ever — let\'s keep this between us and NOT tell my grandmother). From there, you serve your own damn self. \r\n\r\nAnd it is sort of good a little bit maybe.','Around Town: Family-Style Chicken Dinner at Brady Tavern','The family-style chicken dinner is a Sunday tradition at Brady Tavern in downtown Tulsa. ','inherit','open','open','','9996-revision-11','','','2011-12-19 09:29:56','2011-12-19 15:29:56','',9996,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/12/9996-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(10019,1,'2011-12-19 13:51:39','2011-12-19 19:51:39','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/12/around-town-family-style-chicken-dinner-at-brady-tavern/bradytavernchickendinner/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9997\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/BradyTavernChickenDinner-500x500.jpg\" alt=\"Brady Tavern Chicken Dinner Tulsa Oklahoma\" title=\"Brady Tavern Chicken Dinner Tulsa Oklahoma\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-9997\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Winner, winner, chicken dinner</strong>. <a href=\"Brady Tavern Chicken Dinner Tulsa Oklahoma\" target=\"_blank\">We\'re all very much aware of the love I have for the Tavern Burger at Brady Tavern</a>, found in Tulsa\'s Brady Arts District at Brady and Main. In fact, I\'ve been really impressed with everything I\'ve had there, but perhaps not so much as what I experienced last night: Family-style chicken dinner night, a Sunday tradition at Brady Tavern. Here\'s how it works: A bowl of crispy, pan-fried chicken comes to the table, accompanied by a bowl of the biggest, flakiest biscuits you\'ve ever had the pleasure to meet, plus your choice of two sides — cheese grits, Brussels sprouts, sauteed peas or mashed potatoes with (the best) gravy (I\'ve ever had, ever — let\'s keep this between us and NOT tell my grandmother). From there, you serve your own damn self. \r\n\r\nAnd it is sort of good a little bit maybe.\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate banner=\"8\"]</p>','Around Town: Family-Style Chicken Dinner at Brady Tavern','The family-style chicken dinner is a Sunday tradition at Brady Tavern in downtown Tulsa. ','inherit','open','open','','9996-revision-12','','','2011-12-19 13:51:39','2011-12-19 19:51:39','',9996,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2011/12/9996-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(169,1,'2009-05-29 12:41:00','2009-05-29 12:41:00','<span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-style: italic;\">Please welcome again to TDT <a href=\"http://www.beachbumwannabe.com/\">Laura Ritchhart of BeachBumWannabe.com</a>. She has something extra special for us this week. Take it away, Laura!</span><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"\"></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"><br /></span><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"><img style=\"text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 395px; \" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sh_dSpdFvvI/AAAAAAAABRk/VsuQP1gvcbA/s400/spa_massage_masthead.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341230995519946482\" /></span><br /><div>If you have never experienced a hot stone massage, you, my friend, are missing out. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Big D bought me my first-ever massage a few years ago, and it was one of the most amazing experiences ever. Then, when we were in Florida on vacation, I went into a spa and asked for a hot stone massage. But it just wasn\'t the same as <a href=\"http://www.sandalwoodspa.net/\">the one from Liz and Sandalwood Day Spa</a>, right here in Tulsa at 37th and Harvard. </div><div><br /></div><div>The rooms are spacious and calming, and the massage table features a heating pad under linens to really help you relax during your massage. Ah - I can feel myself relaxing just thinking about it. </div><div><br /></div><div>There\'s calming music and a water feature bubbling in the background. Your knots, kinks, worries, troubles and stresses vanish as you lose yourself in the warmth of the stones and the smells of cinnamon, lavender or scented oil of your choice. As you relax, you feel yourself sink into the warmth of the table and float away to a quiet, peaceful realm. </div><div><br /></div><div>Follow up on that relaxation with some RO water or one of the many hot teas available at Sandalwood. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sandalwood Day Spa offers other massages, too - swedish, reflexology, deep tissue and a Hawaiian lomi lomi. It also offers a line of facials, body masks, waxing, salt polishing and an aloe vera wrap I\'ve been dying to try. </div><div><br /></div><div>Still conscious? Let\'s see what we can do about that. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sandalwood recently added a full-service salon. Anything and everything can be done at this place, all at once - it\'s a comfort to be able to come to one place for all your relaxation and beauty needs. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sandalwood would be a great place to take a bridal party or a landing pad for a girls\' night out. The girls could get a relaxing massage, manis, pedis and/or a new hair cut, all in one fell swoop. <a href=\"http://www.sandalwoodspa.net/sandalwood_008.htm\">Call Liz about bridal packages and other discounts</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Still vertical? Sandalwood now carries <a href=\"http://mereminerals.org/default.aspx\">the Mere Minerals line</a>. Get your chance to meet the<a href=\"http://mereminerals.org/aboutus.aspx\"> local creator and owner of Mere Minerals makeup, Yannah Cormier</a>, this Saturday from 3-5 p.m. at Sandalwood. Stop by to meet Cormier, and take a few minutes to get with her cosmetologist and estheticians to go over which colors would best suit your skin type. I like Mere Minerals because it\'s great stuff. Plus, it\'s affordable. What\'s not to love? </div><div><br /></div><div>Feeling ready for a hot stone massage of your own? Thanks to our friends at Sandalwood Day Spa, you have the chance to win<span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"> a free one-hour hot stone massage with Liz</span>. And how about <span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\">a free haircut with Farrah</span>, a $30 value, just to round out this sexy little giveaway? </div><div><br /></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Just leave a comment on this post or at </span><a href=\"http://www.beachbumwannabe.com/\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\">BeachBumWannabe.com</span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"> to enter</span>. Only one entry per person this time, please; that is, unless you stop by to check out Mere Minerals this Saturday. Earn extra entries by telling Liz or Yannah you heard about them on BeachBumWannabe.com or TashaDoesTulsa.com (be sure to leave them your name!). The ladies will confirm you came by, and ta-da, an extra entry goes into the hat for you. </div><div><br /></div><div>Entry deadline is Tuesday, June 2, at 8 a.m. CST. </div><div><br /></div><div>Good luck! </div></div></div>','Feeling Tense?','','publish','open','open','','feeling-tense','','','2009-05-29 12:41:00','2009-05-29 12:41:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=169',0,'post','',29),(170,1,'2009-05-29 19:20:00','2009-05-29 19:20:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v645/34/70/1510818541/n1510818541_159398_5953.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 604px; height: 309px;\" src=\"http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v645/34/70/1510818541/n1510818541_159398_5953.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a><br />It\'s here: <a href=\"http://www.tulsatough.com/\">The fourth annual Tulsa Tough Ride &amp; Race</a>. <div><br /><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 604px; height: 403px;\" src=\"http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v645/34/70/1510818541/n1510818541_159443_2879.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /><div><br /><div>Quite a sight to behold and, from what I understand, even more fun to pedal through, Tulsa Tough Ride &amp; Race is a set of competitive races and tour rides that bring athletes from the world over here to T-Town. The race routes showcase the best of what our fine city has to offer - the historic Brady and Blue Dome Districts, Riverside and more.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The event, designed for new and experienced riders alike and to inspire athleticism and Tulsa pride, gets started tonight at 6:20 with the Men\'s Category III race and rolls through to the end of the weekend. The event is thanks to <a href=\"http://www.sfh-childrenshospital.com/\">the Children\'s Hospital at Saint Francis</a> (which will help Tulsa Tough give 225 new bikes to kids this year), <a href=\"http://www.tulsasports.org/\">Tulsa Sports Commission</a> and <a href=\"http://www.tulsawheelmen.com/\">Tulsa Wheelmen</a>. </div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 604px; height: 403px;\" src=\"http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v645/34/70/1510818541/n1510818541_159422_370.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /><div><div><br /></div><div>Riders and racers can participate in a number of events and activities, from professional-level races, recreation and tour rides to kids and youth activities (check out the Tough Kids and Townie ride at 1 p.m., 13th and Riverside) to live music and vendors during the three-day cycling event.</div><div><br /></div><div>In short, Tulsa Tough is more than a cycling event; it\'s a weekend festival. </div><div><br /></div><div>The event attracts thousands to Tulsa, filling the sidewalks, cafes, bars and art galleries to the brim with the spandex-free cycle happy along the race tracks. Last year\'s event brought on an estimated 15,000, or about six times to capacity of the music hall at <a href=\"http://www.tulsapac.com/\">Tulsa Performing Arts Center</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, that\'s a lot of biking (and Tulsa) enthusiasts. </div><div><br /></div><div>Before you head out to watch or ride in the races this weekend, be sure <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/group.php?sid=de1ae4e372c31121811e3f8e63d2e73b&amp;gid=49042670982&amp;ref=search\">to add Tulsa Tough as a friend on Facebook</a> and <a href=\"http://twitter.com/tulsa_tough\">follow it on Twitter</a>. While you\'re online, check out <a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A27166\">Dwayne Davis\'s story on Tulsa Tough, \"The Fast and the Curious\"</a> and <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2007/06/cycling-pizza-thumbs-up-tulsa.html\">my 2007 post on Tulsa Tough (with a side of Savastanos Pizza in Bixby)</a>. And, don\'t forget that <a href=\"http://www.tulsamillionmiles.com/\">Tulsa Tough is a qualifying activity in the Mayor\'s Million Miles program</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>See y\'all at the races.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-style: italic;\">Photos from <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49042670982&amp;ref=ts\">Tulsa Tough Facebook group</a>. </span></div></div></div></div>','Time to Get Tough. Tulsa Tough.','','publish','open','open','','time-to-get-tough','','','2009-05-29 19:20:00','2009-05-29 19:20:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=170',0,'post','',0),(171,1,'2009-05-30 21:14:00','2009-05-30 21:14:00','<div style=\"text-align: left; padding: 3px;\"><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3578914407/\" title=\"photo sharing\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3578914407_3469b58679.jpg\" style=\"border: solid 2px #000000;\" alt=\"\" /></a><br /></div></div><p>It\'s been a beautiful day. As I write this, it\'s 90 degrees, and skies are blue all around. A gentle breeze is helping to keep things from getting too steamy.<br /><br />From what I saw when we were out and about before naptime, I know thousands of Tulsans were out enjoying the weather today.<br /><br />One of the No. 1 questions I get from readers on what there is to do in Tulsa is where to find a good sunset. I have a few favorites - most of them are on the northwestern outskirts of town - but I found a new place today: <a href=\"http://www.travelok.com/mediaProf/oklaTravelWire.asp?id=1742\">The new 41st Street Plaza that opened at River Parks earlier this month</a>.<br /><br />With interactive fountains and water features, a plethora of brand-spankin\' new playground equipment and tons of room to run around, this plaza is one of the most exciting things I\'ve seen happen in Tulsa for families with young children for quite some time. It\'d be almost too easy to grab a picnic supper, unload it at one of the covered picnic tables at the plaza and then challenge the kids to get cramps in the splashpads.<br /><br />The sun sets at 8:34 tonight. Head to 41st and Riverside and watch the sunset with your kids. Then, run \'em like crazy. Smile at the thought of the super-quiet Saturday night that\'s about to happen at your place.<br /><br />Enjoy.</p>','Something to Do at Sunset Tonight','','publish','open','open','','something-to-do-at-sunset-tonight','','','2009-05-30 21:14:00','2009-05-30 21:14:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=171',0,'post','',1),(172,1,'2009-05-31 17:31:00','2009-05-31 17:31:00','<div style=\"text-align: left; padding: 3px;\"><object type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data=\"http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377\" classid=\"clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000\"> <param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"intl_lang=en-us&amp;photo_secret=1eaec27b31&amp;photo_id=3581564677&amp;flickr_show_info_box=true\"> <param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377\"> <param name=\"bgcolor\" value=\"#000000\"> <param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377\" bgcolor=\"#000000\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" flashvars=\"intl_lang=en-us&amp;photo_secret=1eaec27b31&amp;photo_id=3581564677&amp;flickr_show_info_box=true\" height=\"281\" width=\"500\"></embed></object><br /><span style=\" margin-top: 0px;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3581564677/\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: small;\">Future Rocket Scientists</span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: small;\">, originally uploaded by </span><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/people/tashadoestulsa/\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: small;\">Tasha Does Tulsa</span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: small;\">.</span></span></div><p class=\"flickr-yourcomment\">For your Sunday afternoon enjoyment: Two toddlers learning to negotiate the social contract. Which for some reason includes wearing a diaper on your head while biting your playmate on the forehead and, thirty seconds later, dancing as vigorously as possible. Thanks to <a href=\"http://tulsaartblog.blogspot.com\">Holly Wall</a> for having us over and feeding us and allowing us to disillusion your child.<br /><br />Now, that\'s enough computer time for you today. Get out and about. The weather is perfect, and <a href=\"http://tulsatough.com\">it\'s a great day to enjoy Tulsa Tough before it wraps up for the year</a>.</p>','Future Rocket Scientists','','publish','open','open','','future-rocket-scientists','','','2009-05-31 17:31:00','2009-05-31 17:31:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=172',0,'post','',3),(173,1,'2009-06-01 19:30:00','2009-06-01 19:30:00','Eighty-eight years ago, the part of downtown Tulsa north of the railroad tracks - including what was then Black Wall Street, as well as the Greenwood neighborhood - was hot with fire and hate. <div><br /></div><div>The infamous Tulsa Race Riot broke out May 31, 1921 and lasted 16 hours until the first day of June. <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsa_Race_Riot\">More than 800 were admitted to area hospitals with injuries, an estimated 10,000 were left homeless, 35 city blocks composed of 1,256 residences were destroyed by fire and $1.8 million in property damage was caused (in 1921 dollars)</a>. Officially, 39 people were slain in the riot, though some estimates chart the death roll much higher - even 3,000.</div><div><br /></div><div>This part of Tulsa history isn\'t talked about much - not on my side of town, anyway. </div><div><br /></div><div>That\'s not okay. </div><div><br /></div><div>A group of Tulsans have set out to open the conversation about the Tulsa Race Riot. The group hopes to educate and remember as they lead a riding tour tracing the events of the riot. A historian will be on hand to retell the story. </div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 322px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SiRRr5sl_tI/AAAAAAAABR8/jXNYqxvxDp0/s400/48.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342484872632336082\" /><div><br /></div><div>The ride starts at 6:45 at the Archer/Greenwood intersection. Refreshments will be provided, and don\'t forget to bring your bike. </div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, and if you\'re a chump, don\'t bother coming. You won\'t be allowed. </div>','Race Riot Ride','','publish','open','open','','race-riot-ride','','','2009-06-01 19:30:00','2009-06-01 19:30:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=173',0,'post','',0),(174,1,'2009-06-02 20:20:00','2009-06-02 20:20:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://www.okchautauqua.org/images/scholars-image.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 580px; height: 210px;\" src=\"http://www.okchautauqua.org/images/scholars-image.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a><br /><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"   style=\"  ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:14px;\"><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\">I love history. It was always one of my favorite classes in school - okay, that was partially because the boys were cute and threw paper airplanes at me and I thought it meant they liked me, and partially because I really dug the smell of my new textbook, but mostly, it was because I loved history itself.</span></span></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\">If I weren\'t <a href=\"http://www.stlbrewfest.com/\">headed out of town tomorrow</a> with a million things to do to prepare tonight (like forcing myself to eat dinner even though at the idea of flying for the first time since Clinton\'s second inauguration I want to puke), I would be all over a living history event going down at <a href=\"http://www.osutulsa.okstate.edu/\">OSU-Tulsa</a> this week, starting today. It\'s the one and only <a href=\"http://www.okchautauqua.org/\">Oklahoma Chautauqua</a>, a series presented each June that offers performances, workshops, school outreach and opportunities to interact with scholars who take on characters of famous people of the past, all in one five-day-long mashup. And guess what? The whole thing is free and open to the public. </span></span></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><br /></span></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"   style=\" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:16px;\">To mark the bicentennial of the birth of our 16th president, this year\'s theme is Lincoln\'s Legacy of Equality: Voices on the Fringe. The players are Dr. Doug Mishler as Jefferson Davis; Charles Pace as Frederick Douglas; Ilene Evans as Harriet Tubman; Dr. Carroll Peterson as Walt Whitman; and Dr. Michael Hughes as John Ross. </span></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><br /></span></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\">Workshops are held today until about 7. At 7:25, the Chautauqua scholars will take the stage. Tonight stars Evans as Tubman, an act not to be missed. <a href=\"http://www.okchautauqua.org/images/Chautauqua_brochure_09_sm.pdf\">See the rest of the Chautauqua schedule here</a>.</span></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><br /></span></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\">Thanks to the <a href=\"http://www.ahct.org/\">Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa</a> and the <a href=\"http://www.okhumanitiescouncil.org/\">Oklahoma Humanities Council</a> for this event that is, as you so aptly put it on <a href=\"http://www.okchautauqua.org/\">the Chautauqua Web site</a>, \"historical tourism at its finest.\"</span></span></div></span>','History at Its Finest: Oklahoma Chautauqua','','publish','open','open','','history-at-its-finest-oklahoma','','','2009-06-02 20:20:00','2009-06-02 20:20:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=174',0,'post','',3),(175,1,'2009-06-03 01:54:00','2009-06-03 01:54:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sh_dSpdFvvI/AAAAAAAABRk/VsuQP1gvcbA/s400/spa_massage_masthead.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 395px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sh_dSpdFvvI/AAAAAAAABRk/VsuQP1gvcbA/s400/spa_massage_masthead.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a><br />Last week <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/05/feeling-tense.html\">Laura at BeachBumWannabe.com and I launched a giveaway</a>. The prize was definitely one of the most swanky I\'ve had here on this blog: a 60-minute hot stone massage and a hair cut, courtesy of <a href=\"http://www.sandalwoodspa.net/\">Sandalwood Day Spa, at 37th and Harvard</a>.<div><br /></div><div>Plenty of you wanted this prize. I\'m right there with you. Who couldn\'t use an hour on a massage table and then a few extra minutes in a stylists\' chair? Oh, I could. I really, really could. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sadly, I can\'t enter my own giveaways. But I can help serve up a winner. </div><div><br /></div><div>In this case, the early bird got the worm. The winner is entry No. 1, Mercedes Millberry!</div><div><br /></div><div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 106px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SiXfMYo8UDI/AAAAAAAABSM/tG8H3EZynLM/s400/Picture+1.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342921936810561586\" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Congrats, Mercedes! You have fun, woman. Have fun for all of us.</div><div><br /></div><div>I loved the entry after Mercedes: </div><div><br /></div><div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 123px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SiXeyDUOKsI/AAAAAAAABSE/4eHxMhqdni4/s400/Picture+2.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342921484409907906\" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I\'m guessing Mercedes knows Ed. Or, maybe he\'s just an anonymous yet kindly Internet crazy. Either way, Ed gets a gold star for the day. The ladies, Ed, we salute thee. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks to everyone for entering. And may we all win a massage, even if it\'s from indentured servants (read: significant others, children and maybe even pets, depending on how overworked we are). </div>','Time For a Little R&amp;R','','publish','open','open','','time-for-little-r','','','2009-06-03 01:54:00','2009-06-03 01:54:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=175',0,'post','',0),(176,1,'2009-06-04 04:07:00','2009-06-04 04:07:00','<div style=\"text-align: left; padding: 3px;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3593656229/\" title=\"photo sharing\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2439/3593656229_32aacf4260.jpg\" style=\"border: solid 2px #000000;\" alt=\"\" /></a><br /><span style=\" margin-top: 0px;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3593656229/\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:small;\">Dan Kopman, St. Louis Brewery Tour</span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:small;\">, originally uploaded by </span><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/people/tashadoestulsa/\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:small;\">Tasha Does Tulsa</span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:small;\">.</span></span></div><p><a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/tashadoestulsa\">If you follow me on Twitter</a>, you know I\'m not in Tulsa right now.<br /><br />I\'m in St. Louis. I flew here. I got a plane for the first time since William Jefferson Clinton was in the White House, and I sailed through the clouds and <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_MetroLink\">into a MetroLink car</a> and <a href=\"http://www.downtownstl.org/\">into downtown</a>.<br /><br />Somehow, I did not go insane. I didn\'t even cry. Be proud of me, Tulsa. Be proud.<br /><br />Anyway. I\'m here at the home of the gateway to the West for the <a href=\"http://www.stlbrewfest.com/\">St. Louis Brewers Heritage Festival</a>. That doesn\'t get started until Friday, though, so tonight, I went to <a href=\"http://www.schlafly.com/\">The St. Louis Brewery</a>, which proudly holds the distinction of being the first brewpub in Missouri (founded in 1991), and was led around the innards of Schlafly Beer. Pictured above is the tour guide, Dan Kopman, vice president of The Saint Louis Brewery.<br /><br />Kopman should write a crash course-style book on how beer is made. He did a great job of narrating the process, which gets scientific and esoteric in a hurry, all with a beer in hand. His shop brews 10 styles that are available year-round, with dozens of special varieties sliding down the bar each year, all in the shadow of <a href=\"http://www.anheuser-busch.com/\">you-know-who, Anheuser Busch</a>. Good thing is, there\'s camaraderie between brewers in St. Louis, even with the big guys - at least, since the heavyweights realized the folks at the bar drinking craft beer still stocked Bud in their home fridges.<br /><br />I\'ll be glad to get home and get back to my <a href=\"http://www.mcnellies.com/\">McNellies Public House</a> and my <a href=\"http://marshallbrewing.com/index.asp\">Marshall Brewing Company beer</a>, but for right now, <a href=\"http://www.dwellingspaces.net/site/dwelling_spaces/product/97\">I\'m rockin\' my I Heart Tulsa shirts</a> all over this big city in the Show Me State.<br /><br />Save a stool at the bar for me, y\'all. I\'ll be home doing Tulsa soon enough. Until then, you can get your drink on 500 miles away, vicariously. And, gee, won\'t that be a fun way to throw back a cool one. </p>','Away','','publish','open','open','','away','','','2009-06-04 04:07:00','2009-06-04 04:07:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=176',0,'post','',2),(177,1,'2009-06-04 14:15:00','2009-06-04 14:15:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://www.stonebluffcellars.com/images/gazebo%20from%20back%20web%20version.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 448px; height: 293px;\" src=\"http://www.stonebluffcellars.com/images/gazebo%20from%20back%20web%20version.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a><br />It\'s the season of the outdoor barbeque, and where better to enjoy good food and even better company than someone else\'s back yard? Just think: No clean-up. No cooking. No weird relatives.<div><br /></div><div>Not that I would know anything about weird relatives. </div><div><br /></div><div>Like the idea of dirtying someone else\'s dishes? Then this Saturday, <a href=\"http://www.stonebluffcellars.com/\">bring the whole family to Stone Bluff Cellars</a> to experience the exquisite pairing of springtime and BBQ in an Oklahoma vineyard. There will be food, music, fun and, of course, wine aplenty from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Admission to the festival is free, and so is parking. <div><br /></div><div>When you go, be sure to spend some time wine tasting. Tasting tickets are $1 each, and anyone who spends $5 gets a wine glass. Be sure to bring those IDs, kiddos - the folks at Stone Bluff will be checking \'em. </div><div><br /></div><div>Follow your nose to the rotating lift smoker for some good old-fashioned Oklahoma barbeque. Lunch is $10 for adults and $6 for kids 10 and under. The menu features smoked pork loin, Italian loaf bread, coleslaw and spicy BBQ beans. The show will be run by award-winning Arkansan BBQ champ Jim Sposato.</div><div><br /></div><div>Work off lunch by putting on those walking shoes and head out on a vineyard and winery tour.</div><div><br /></div><div>Stop by anytime at Stone Bluff Cellars for a sip and a sit away from the hubbub of the city and the \'burbs. Hours are Fridays 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Join the Stone Bluff Cellars mailing list to get news about special wine brunches and dinners. Those events are pretty swanky, but the Stone Bluff folks don\'t forget to pour on plenty of Oklahoma charm. Come ready to relax. </div><div><br /></div><div>Get to Stone Bluff Cellars, at 24145 E. 191st Street South in Haskell, by hitting US 64. Take 191st Street South to the winery. Or, take the long way. It\'s a beautiful drive you won\'t soon forget. </div></div>','BBQ on the Bluff','','publish','open','open','','bbq-on-bluff','','','2009-06-04 14:15:00','2009-06-04 14:15:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=177',0,'post','',1),(178,1,'2009-06-06 02:45:00','2009-06-06 02:45:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://www.missoklahoma.org/2009%20Pageant/2009ThurPrelimWinners.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 504px; height: 360px;\" src=\"http://www.missoklahoma.org/2009%20Pageant/2009ThurPrelimWinners.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a><br />No, I\'m not talking about Miss America. <div><br /></div><div>Wait. Maybe I am. </div><div><br /></div><div>For now, though, we\'re still in search for <a href=\"http://www.missoklahoma.org/\">Miss Oklahoma</a>. But, the pageant winners here in the 46th state to join the U.S.-of-A. have gone on to win Miss America for two of the past four years. In fact, Oklahoma has seen more of its young women come home with the Miss America crown than 47 other states - California and Ohio tie with us for having six reasons to make new tourism signs (read: \"See Jenks, home of <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Berry\">Jennifer Berry, Miss America 2007</a>\"), so I\'d say whoever wins has good odds on the national stage.</div><div><br /></div><div>We Okies are, after all, good for more than just stealing the show at American Idol.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Preliminary rounds of <a href=\"http://www.missoklahoma.org/\">the Miss Oklahoma 2009 pageant</a> have been gathering steam for tomorrow night, when the 37th annual pageant will end with a newly crowned delegate to the national competition in January. The show gets started at 7:30 at the <a href=\"http://mabeecenter.com/\">Mabee Center, at 81st Street and Lewis Avenue on the Oral Roberts University campus</a>. Emcees will be Jennifer Berry Gooden (Miss Oklahoma 2005, Miss America 2006) and <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauren_Nelson\">Lauren Nelson (Miss Oklahoma 2006, Miss America 2007)</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>The pageant will feature onstage question, swimsuit, talent and evening wear rounds for the 42 final contestants, as well as performances by <a href=\"http://www.missoklahoma.org/new/bio/missokbio.htm\">the current Miss Oklahoma, Kelsey Cartwright</a>, and the new Miss Oklahoma Outstanding Teen. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href=\"http://www.missoklahoma.org/2009%20Pageant/Forms/2009_Miss_OK_Ticket_Brochure.pdf\">Want tickets? Call the Mabee Center for pricing</a> (reserved seating is as low as $25 per). If you can\'t wait until tomorrow to catch a glimpse of the ladies, check out <a href=\"http://www.missoklahoma.org/2009%20Pageant/2009%20Slide%20Show/index.htm\">the slideshow at the Miss Oklahoma Web site</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Miss Oklahoma pageant is sponsored by <a href=\"http://www.kiwaniscluboftulsa.org/\">the Kiwanis Club of Tulsa</a>. The pageant is the largest provider of college scholarships for young women in the world, making hundreds of thousands of dollars available to contestants and winners. </div></div>','There She Is','','publish','open','open','','there-she-is','','','2009-06-06 02:45:00','2009-06-06 02:45:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=178',0,'post','',0),(179,1,'2009-06-06 03:55:00','2009-06-06 03:55:00','<span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13px; \"><p style=\"\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">My coupon philosophy, circa 2008: Don\'t waste your time.</span></span></p><p style=\"\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">Not only are they marketing ploys to get us American sheep to buy more things we don\'t need, but pulling out a wad of coupons at the register pisses off everyone in line behind you. Besides that, they\'re dorky. Even my grandmother won\'t use them.</span></span></p><p style=\"\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">That\'s all changed now.</span></span></p><p style=\"\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">Without coupons, I would have spent $140 on groceries last weekend. But, thanks to what I and a class of a dozen other twenty-somethings learned earlier in the week from Sarah Roe, the 918 Coupon Queen herself, who blogs at </span></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\"><a href=\"http://www.918couponqueenblog.com\">918couponqueenblog.com</a></span></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">, I paid $115.</span></span></p><p style=\"\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">I don\'t know about you, loyal readers, but I can think of many, many things more fun to do with a 20 spot than spend it on baby wipes and overpriced boxes of cereal.</span></span></p><p style=\"\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: georgia; font-size: 16px;\">Read the rest of this story <a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A27225\">in Consumer Watchdog in this week\'s Urban Tulsa Weekly</a>.</span></p></span>','Scissor Happy','','publish','open','open','','scissor-happy','','','2009-06-06 03:55:00','2009-06-06 03:55:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=179',0,'post','',5),(180,1,'2009-06-06 04:01:00','2009-06-06 04:01:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SinqU4FR_eI/AAAAAAAABSU/3kaXp0GY5hk/s1600-h/DSC04036-1.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SinqU4FR_eI/AAAAAAAABSU/3kaXp0GY5hk/s400/DSC04036-1.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344060077224623586\" /></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; \"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">On the one-year anniversary of the opening of <a href=\"http://www.bluejackalope.com/\">Blue Jackalope Groceries &amp; Coffee</a>, the only community grocery in Tulsa’s historic Crosby Heights neighborhood, owner/proprietor F. Scott Smith was running the counter, sampling snap peas just trucked in from Bixby. He shared his snack and visited with the Friday morning regulars. The bike rack in front of the store was full.</span></span><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">As if this scene wasn’t enough reason to launch a corner grocery, “I saw my neighbors using public transportation to lug their groceries home. Or, spending their food stamps at the convenience stores and not having many choices,” Smith said. “This neighborhood needed a better way.”</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: georgia; font-size: 16px;\">Read the rest of this story in <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/article.asp?aID=677979402.2903666.638846.2001094.5660349.620&amp;aID2=49133\">the Food page in the current issue of Tulsa Business Journal</a>.</span></p></span>','Community Grocery Celebrates One Year','','publish','open','open','','community-grocery-celebrates-one-year','','','2009-06-06 04:01:00','2009-06-06 04:01:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=180',0,'post','',0),(181,1,'2009-06-06 15:07:00','2009-06-06 15:07:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SiqJENeD7VI/AAAAAAAABSc/QsFdNRPYLjs/s1600-h/slide1.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SiqJENeD7VI/AAAAAAAABSc/QsFdNRPYLjs/s400/slide1.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344234613256744274\" /></a><br />Rows of blooming lavender, house-made lavender soaps, lavender lemonade made from scratch. <div><br /></div><div>Sound good? You\'re in luck. </div><div><br /></div><div>The annual Lavender Festival <a href=\"http://www.lavenderhillfarm.net/index.htm\">in Stone Bluff at Lavender Hill Farm</a> started this morning at 9 and runs until 4 this afternoon. There will be lots of lavender goods to sniff and fondle, yummy food and entertainment. I can\'t find the price of admission and the line at Lavender Hill Farm has been busy for a half hour now (\"Don\'t bother us, we\'re sniffing!\"), but the lavender and wine festival last year was $5 for adults and free for kids younger than 12. So, you might want to bring a spot of cash on the road to Stone Bluff.</div><div><br /></div><div>Start the beautiful drive to Lavender Hill Farm by following Memorial south through Bixby. Take the curve to the left (HWY 64). Follow 64 through Leonard to Stone Bluff and turn left at the Stone Bluff Baptist Church. Take that road a little more than a mile and a half. Lavender Hill Farm will be on the right.</div><div><br /></div>','Lavender Festival Today','','publish','open','open','','lavender-festival-today','','','2009-06-06 15:07:00','2009-06-06 15:07:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=181',0,'post','',1),(182,1,'2009-06-06 15:27:00','2009-06-06 15:27:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://tulsalibrary.org/home-images/af_4-09.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 86px;\" src=\"http://tulsalibrary.org/home-images/af_4-09.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a><br /><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"   style=\"  ;font-family:Arial;font-size:14px;\"><p style=\"margin-left: 0.5em; \"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"   style=\" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:16px;\">Celebrate and learn about the customs and traditions of Asian-Americans with entertaining, educational events for the entire family as <a href=\"http://tulsalibrary.org/\">Tulsa City-County Library</a> presents <a href=\"http://tulsalibrary.org/eventguide/events/Asian-Festival_flyer-09.pdf\">the seventh annual Asian-American Festival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 6</a> at Martin Regional Library, 2601 S. Garnett Road. Food concession is provided by India Palace, located at 69th and Lewis. Admission to the festival is free.</span></p><p style=\"margin-left: 0.5em; \"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\">The festival kicks off at 10:45 a.m. with a Dragon Dance, featuring a 70-foot dragon from China, and includes martial arts demonstrations; Kyoto, Japan art exchange exhibit and workshop; manga exchange and workshop; bamboo flute music; classical Indian dance; Chinese folk dance; a Japanese tea ceremony; and children’s dances and songs in Japanese and English. </span></span></p><p style=\"margin-left: 0.5em; \"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"   style=\"  ;font-family:georgia;font-size:16px;\">Explore the colorful cultures of China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and other countries in Asia. </span><br /></p><p style=\"margin-left: 0.5em; \"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\">Local martial arts instructors and their students will demonstrate kung fu, karate, tae kwon do and other traditional Asian disciplines throughout the day under a big tent outside in the back of the library. Ten Tigers Kung Fu, Shikara Ashi Te Ryu and Martial Arts Academy USA are scheduled to perform.</span></span></p><p style=\"margin-left: 0.5em; \"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\">Look for the interactive educational booths featuring crafts for kids, temporary tattoos, name translation, henna painting and origami instruction. </span></span></p><p style=\"margin-left: 0.5em; \"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\">The festival is sponsored and funded by the Tulsa Library Trust, with assistance from the Tulsa City-County Library Staff Association Recycling Proceeds Fund.</span></span></p><p style=\"margin-left: 0.5em; \"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\" ;font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\" ;font-size:16px;\">For more information about the Asian-American Festival or a complete schedule of presentations, visit <a href=\"http://tulsalibrary.org/\">the Tulsa Library Web site</a></span></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\" ;font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\" ;font-size:16px;\"> or call the Martin Regional Library at 669-6340.</span></span><br /></p></span>','Asian-American Festival Kicks Off Seventh Year Today','','publish','open','open','','asian-american-festival-kicks-off','','','2009-06-06 15:27:00','2009-06-06 15:27:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=182',0,'post','',0),(184,1,'2009-06-09 19:30:00','2009-06-09 19:30:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Si65m9tnezI/AAAAAAAABSk/lckFW4uh48o/s1600-h/_MG_1896.JPG\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Si65m9tnezI/AAAAAAAABSk/lckFW4uh48o/s400/_MG_1896.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345413886787418930\" /></a><br /><div>Wine, women and shoes: What other combo could raise nearly a million dollars per year for women and children\'s charities across the nation? </div><div><br /></div><div>There is one way such a mix could be even better, and <a href=\"http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=ejIRK6OWG&amp;b=67551\">YWCA Tulsa</a> brings the missing ingredient starting this Thursday: that capital of Green Country, Tulsa, Oklahoma. </div><div><br /></div><div>Its <a href=\"http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=ejIRK6OWG&amp;b=4951645\">Wine, Women &amp; Shoes event is a three-day celebration of women</a> designed to benefit the programs at YWCA while educating patrons about wine and having fun with friends. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wine, Women &amp; Shoes is, sensibly, split into three parts: </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Wine 101</b>: Art and fashion meet the vine in this speed-tasting-style event at <a href=\"http://pearlgallerytulsa.com/\">Pearl Gallery</a> this Thursday, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Vintners compare shoes and wine (Do you know what wine pairs best with your favorite stilettos?) while guests taste and learn about a variety of wines, enjoy light nibbles and art. Tickets are $40.  </div><div><br /></div><div><b>A Taste of Wine Country</b>: On June 12 from 7-9 p.m., listen in on wine presentations and nosh on yummies by some of Tulsa\'s greatest chefs, all within the walls of three of Tulsa\'s fanciest homes. A live auction at each of the homes will include wine trips and magnums from participating wineries and retail partners. Sponsorships are available, or individual reservations are $150.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Luncheon, Fashion Show and Marketplace</b>: Belly up to the <a href=\"http://www.renaissancetulsa.com/home.aspx\">Renaissance Tulsa</a> this Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. to get your fill of ten Napa Valley vintners pouring their wines, a fashion show featuring the latest in shoes and a retail marketplace. With 20 percent of the proceeds from the marketplace going to YWCA Tulsa, this shopping opportunity is good for the sole (Ha! Get it? You know you laughed). Reservations are $75.</div><div><br /></div><div>Be advised, wine lovers, that this event is right up your alley. The vintners whose wine is featured at the Wine, Women &amp; Shoes event fly in from California to present their wines in person. The selections sound exceptional, and the one-on-one experience should be rather entertaining. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyone, man or woman, who appreciates good design won\'t have a problem getting excited about the shoes aspect of this event. <a href=\"http://www.angeleighanastasio.com/CatalogCURRENT.htm\">An Italian shoe designer who flies his line, Angeleigh Anastasio</a>, will be at the event all the way from, you guessed it, Italy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Drooling yet, ladies and gents? <a href=\"https://www.kintera.org/site/apps/ka/rg/register.asp?c=ejIRK6OWG&amp;b=3932293&amp;en=gfLGKLMqEdLIKLPuHcKDILPvHbKNKYNwEkLNLPNtEiKQKVNwHdJOIYOvGdIRL2MMH\">Head on over to the YWCA Tulsa site and get tickets to your favorite event before it\'s too late</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Or, try your luck with me, because I have a little somethin\' somethin\' to make this fantasy of an event a complimentary reality for one lucky reader. </div><div><br /></div><div>Up for grabs are <b>two (2) tickets to <u>either</u> Wine 101 </b>($80 value)<b> <u>or</u> the Luncheon, Fashion Show &amp; Marketplace </b>($120 value). How to enter? You have two options. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Option 1</b>: How many people participated in YWCA programs last year? The correct answer in the form of a comment on this post earns one entry. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Option 2</b>: As a comment on this post, list the last tweet from YWCA Tulsa. I realize this answer will vary depending on when each individual who chooses this option enters. Each answer earns one entry (yes, you can enter multiple times using option 2 - this is, if YWCA Tulsa tweets more than once during this contest). </div><div><br /></div><div>Again, part of the proceeds of the wine and goods sales of the event goes back to YWCA Tulsa, as well as ticket and sponsorship revenue. YWCA means to bring huge, wonderful things for the Tulsa area, including high-quality, affordable child care for working families, health and wellness education and services to help foreign-born people acclimate to the T-Town community. The YWCA organization has been making a difference in the fight to empower women and eliminate racism in this city for nearly a century, and getting in on the Wine, Women &amp; Shoes event is just one way to get involved in this take-charge organization. </div><div><br /></div><div>Enter at will! I\'ll select a winner after 5 p.m. tomorrow.</div><div><br /></div><div>For good luck, give yourself a pedicure. You\'d be braver than I\'ll ever be to show up at this event - where all eyes will be on your feet at some or more points - with less-than-perfect tootsies. </div>','What a Girl Wants','','publish','open','open','','what-girl-wants','','','2009-06-09 19:30:00','2009-06-09 19:30:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=184',0,'post','',25),(185,1,'2009-06-11 01:15:00','2009-06-11 01:15:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://www.ywca.org/atf/cf/{3D47C4EE-0915-4327-B519-196518F3F348}/WW&amp;S2009-Invitationfront.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 656px; height: 431px;\" src=\"http://www.ywca.org/atf/cf/{3D47C4EE-0915-4327-B519-196518F3F348}/WW&amp;S2009-Invitationfront.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a><br /><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/06/what-girl-wants.html\">Yesterday I asked you all to report tweets by the YWCA Tulsa and scour its Web site for a certain factoid</a>, all in the name of free tickets to <a href=\"http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=ejIRK6OWG&amp;b=4951645\">Wine, Women &amp; Shoes events</a>. It all starts tomorrow, and one lucky reader now has the choice between crashing a wine speed-tasting or a fancy-schmancy luncheon and marketplace. Oh, and she gets to bring a friend, too.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, everyone be on your best behavior with...</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 194px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SjBbylFGOnI/AAAAAAAABS0/G1_R0RBab-c/s400/Picture+3.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345873682193857138\" /><br /><div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 312px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SjBcMtGNgSI/AAAAAAAABS8/pBxkNdx3VgQ/s400/Picture+4.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345874131022610722\" /><div>Congrats, Courtney! E-mail me at tashadoestulsa@gmail.com to claim your prize. Maybe you could come up with some genius shoe-shopping tips and post them on <a href=\"http://homemakerhero.com/\">your oh-so-pretty and ever-so-useful blog, Homemaker Hero</a>, hm? Or, just send those tips to me. Because I\'m the only female ever born without the shoe love, and I have no idea how to shop for the darned things. If it weren\'t for a <a href=\"http://havesporkwilltravel.blogspot.com/\">certain brutally, shamefully honest friend</a>, I\'d be more than happy pounding the pavement in a pair of flesh-colored Dr. Scholl\'s. </div><div><br /></div><div>Choose your companion wisely, Courtney. Tonight\'s forecast: Hand-delivered chocolates and flowers and expensive cards. Maybe even a singing telegram. But only at Courtney\'s house. For the rest of us, <a href=\"http://www.newson6.com/Global/category.asp?C=112040&amp;nav=menu682_3\">it\'s cats and dogs</a>.  </div></div>','What A Girl Wants, A Girl Gets','','publish','open','open','','what-girl-wants-girl-gets','','','2009-06-11 01:15:00','2009-06-11 01:15:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=185',0,'post','',0),(186,1,'2009-06-11 01:56:00','2009-06-11 01:56:00','<div style=\"text-align: left; padding: 3px;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3615709336/\" title=\"photo sharing\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2476/3615709336_861091b263.jpg\" style=\"border: solid 2px #000000;\" alt=\"\" /></a><br /><span style=\" margin-top: 0px;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3615709336/\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:small;\">Official Puffy Clubster</span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:small;\">, originally uploaded by </span><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/people/tashadoestulsa/\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:small;\">Tasha Does Tulsa</span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:small;\">.</span></span></div><p>My lips are greasy. My eyes are milky. My tummy is stretched to capacity.<br /><br />My friends, I am, in a word, puffy.<br /><br />Ever hear of <a href=\"http://www.elotetulsa.com/\">Elote Cafe &amp; Catering</a>? If you read this blog or <a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/tashadoestulsa\">follow me on Twitter</a> or if you live anywhere besides under a rock, you know the little fresh-Mex cafe I\'m talking about. Proprietor chef Libby Auld declared Wednesday evenings the nights of the puffy taco, the menu item for which Elote is best known. The fluffy darlings are just $2 per, and diners have their choice between veggie (my favorite - how can you beat black beans and sweet potatoes on fried masa?) and chicken.<br /><br />A select group of Tulsans can really put these puffy suckers away. Last week, some freak ate 18 of them. I\'ve been talking smack for the past month or so about how I will soon be crowned the next puffy master. Truth is, that seemed feasible until someone broke the record with 8. The next week, the stakes were raised to 12. Then, <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/06/away.html\">while I was sampling some 30-odd craft beers in St. Louis</a>, freakazoid came along and put away a dozen and a half of the darned things.<br /><br />Tonight, hubs and I managed to put away six each, a mere 1/3 of the capacity of the current puffy master. Even so, it was enough to earn us a spot in the Puffy Club and on the Puffy Wall.<br /><br />Be like us. Go to Elote. Go Balls to the Wall (because that\'s technically what any photo of my husband and I hung on the wall can be called, given our last name) and eat six or more puffy tacos. Your liver and thighs will scream, but your taste buds will thank you. Plus, you get your picture taken. Neat!</p><p>P.S. Nipples. I\'m sorry, but it had to be said. The tension, it was palpable. </p>','Official Puffy Clubster','','publish','open','open','','official-puffy-clubster','','','2009-06-11 01:56:00','2009-06-11 01:56:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=186',0,'post','',6),(187,1,'2009-06-11 13:00:00','2009-06-11 13:00:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Si7FmVJWwZI/AAAAAAAABSs/IFby3mdBr78/s1600-h/JoeMommasTriviaFlier_060909.png\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 331px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Si7FmVJWwZI/AAAAAAAABSs/IFby3mdBr78/s400/JoeMommasTriviaFlier_060909.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345427070037442962\" /></a><br />This Thursday is as good a night as ever to head to <a href=\"http://joemommas.com\">Joe Momma\'s downtown</a> for a hearty helping of <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=99699449127&amp;ref=ts\">Trivia Night</a>. <div><br /></div><div>Test your knowledge in categories like Guess the Song, Finish the Lyric, Dead or Alive and Movies &amp; TV. Look for food and drink specials, because they\'re always around on Trivia Night at Joe Momma\'s, home of my favorite pizza in town, the Bacon Cheeseburger pie.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Each trivia night at Joe Momma\'s downtown benefits a local nonprofit, and the charity-of-the-week this time is <a href=\"http://www.mhat.org/\">Mental Health Association in Tulsa</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>MHAT offers a variety of programs and outreach efforts to get people connected with the information, resources and help they need. The group works to overcome stigma through education, as well as provide advocacy, resources, support groups, outreach and safe housing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mental health is a huge issue in Oklahoma. We have one of the highest rates of mental illness in the U.S., and only a fraction of those affected seek treatment. It\'s important not just to give organizations like MHAT some cold, hard cash, but also to help them raise awareness and lighten the stigma of mental illness. </div><div><br /></div><div>It\'s not something you can \"tough it\" through, folks, and the only shame in seeking treatment is waiting until a family, a career or an entire life is ruined to get help. </div><div><br /></div><div>So. The most popular trivia night in town starts this and every week at 9 p.m. Teams can be as small as three pizza lovers or as large as five. Donations and part of dining sales go to MHAT. See you there.</div></div>','I Feel Like Trivia Tonight','','publish','open','open','','i-feel-like-trivia-tonight','','','2009-06-11 13:00:00','2009-06-11 13:00:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=187',0,'post','',1),(188,1,'2009-06-11 15:53:00','2009-06-11 15:53:00','<div style=\"text-align: left;\">I have critter-induced post-traumatic stress disorder. I\'ve had nightmares, out-of-body experiences, jumpiness, you name it. All because of a three-foot bull snake Papa Ball spotted crawling from our attic last weekend.</div><div><br /></div><div>We live in the middle of town. There\'s no reason any three-foot critter should exist here. My former country-ish life has returned to haunt me, bringing with it its gross, slimy, scaly critter trappings. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, this is how I\'ve been feeling. Imagine my reaction when, earlier this morning, I walked in on this:</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SjEps7FxL1I/AAAAAAAABTM/N2QzGwqQDdo/s400/DSC05578.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346100084418359122\" /><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Do you see it?</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SjEpiKpLGwI/AAAAAAAABTE/Tt2G6geZcXY/s400/DSC05577.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346099899614829314\" /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">I had to lure my child away from the \"fugie\" using Mini Chips Ahoy (lifesavers, people, <i>livesavers</i>) and trick the little critter into jumping onto the closest thing I could find so I could promptly fling him out the front door, all the while screaming much more like the little frog was in my pants rather than on my favorite laundry basket. </div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">I have snakes and frogs in my house. My son wants to put them all in his mouth. And, yes, I play favorites with my laundry baskets. </div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Please send help.</div><div><br /></div>','Critters','','publish','open','open','','critters','','','2009-06-11 15:53:00','2009-06-11 15:53:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=188',0,'post','',9),(190,1,'2009-06-12 11:00:00','2009-06-12 11:00:00','<img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SjHGiZ4OS9I/AAAAAAAABTU/Zy164Etw21Y/s400/ConradFarms.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346272527030045650\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: small;\">Oklahoma-grown blueberries, available from </span><a href=\"http://www.conradfarmsmarket.com/\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: small;\">Conrad Farms in Bixby</span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: small;\">.</span></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Confession: I have sort of a thing for good food. Surprise!</div><div><br /></div><div>Truth is, I think about it pretty much all the time - how I could make it, how I could eat it, what I could write about it, how it greases the wheels of society.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div><a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A25007\">I\'m particularly passionate about the local food movement</a>. Yeah, it\'s trendy, and yeah, the term \"localvore\" needs to take a long walk off a short pier, but I\'ve always been a fan of food grown by people I know. My grandmother used to grow rows and rows of onions and a huge raised bed of strawberries, and my grandfather and I spent one glorious day late one summer frying apple pies made with apples we picked from the trees out back. </div><div><br /></div><div>My dad used to grow these huge ears of sweet corn, and we\'d eat them all summer long. I have a grandmother who refuses to eat store-bought fresh tomatoes, and we all talk about how a homegrown strawberry just doesn\'t compare to whatever those red orbs in the produce section of the supermarket are supposed to be.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>See, all the local food movement is doing is helping to make our old ways hip again. Be thee not afraid.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SjHMoDcu0EI/AAAAAAAABTk/1LEBRR8wc9Y/s400/DSC05594.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346279221158137922\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: small;\">Turnips from <a href=\"http://www.oklahomafood.coop/shop/producers/farms.php\">Jericho Farms in Mounds</a>.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Next week is a great time to jump on grandma\'s old bandwagon, since <a href=\"http://www.kerrcenter.com/HTML/events.html#localfoods\">it\'s the state\'s first Local Foods Week</a>. Everyone from farmers to restaurateurs will celebrate the rich diversity of locally produced foods available in early summer and encourage the support of local farmers throughout the season, all week long. It all gets started this Sunday. </div><div><br /></div><div>Shouting to the hilltops (there aren\'t many \'round here, so this news should travel far) about this exciting series of events include Gov. Brad Henry, Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and Buy Fresh Buy Local of Green Country, just to name a few of the local and state organizations on fire about growing and eating locally.</div><div><br /><div>The calendar of events for the week is bursting, including a screening of <a href=\"http://www.freshthemovie.com/\">\"Fresh,\" a film about organic and local foods</a>; community garden and farm tours; <a href=\"http://www.paulnison.com/\">a talk by raw foodist Paul Nison</a>; <a href=\"http://www.sustainabletulsa.org/pages/salsafest\">Salsafest featuring Elote Cafe &amp; Catering</a>; and <a href=\"http://livingkitchen.homestead.com/\">Living Kitchen Farms food and wine tastings</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Farmers\' markets will conduct cooking demos, special talks from vendors and scavenger hunts for kids. Farms will host milking demonstrations, cheese-making classes, farm-table dinners and labyrinth walks. <a href=\"http://www.sustainabletulsa.org/\">Sustainable Tulsa will be hosting its \"Greening the (918)\" forum with a focus on local food and sustainable agriculture</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>For more Local Food Week highlights, visit <a href=\"http://www.kerrcenter.com/local-foods-week09/local-foods-week09.htm\">The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture online</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Oklahomans are encouraged to join in the celebration by supporting farmers in their areas. You can also do your part for Local Food Week by <a href=\"http://kerrcenter.com/local-foods-week09/LocaLFoods_print_poster.pdf\">tacking this poster</a> to any free bulletin board space you see at your local cafe, coffeeshop or grocery store. Just for fun, <a href=\"http://kerrcenter.com/local-foods-week09/Menu-of-Ideas_print.pdf\">print out a few menus of ideas on how to indulge in local food</a> to pass out to hungry friends and family.</div><div><br /></div><div>There\'s good eatin\' ahead, friends. Don\'t hog it all for yourselves. Spread the word.</div></div></div>','Not Your Namby-Pamby Local Food Week','','publish','open','open','','not-your-namby-pamby-local-food-week','','','2009-06-12 11:00:00','2009-06-12 11:00:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=190',0,'post','',4),(2011,1,'2010-09-13 15:44:10','2010-09-13 20:44:10','<strong>UPDATE//</strong>Boys and girls, we have a winner!\r\n\r\nOut of the 72 comments that slid in under the 3pm deadline...\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2053\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/greek-holiday/picture-8-2/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2053\" title=\"Greek Holiday Winner 2010\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Picture-8.png\" alt=\"Greek Holiday Winner 2010\" width=\"166\" height=\"189\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAnd the holder of the 40th entry is...\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2054\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/greek-holiday/picture-9/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2054\" title=\"Greek Holiday Winner 2010\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Picture-9.png\" alt=\"Greek Holiday Winner 2010\" width=\"421\" height=\"99\" /></a>\r\n\r\nCongrats, Evan! I like the way you think. You have 24 hours to <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">e-mail me</a> to claim your prize.\r\n\r\nThanks to everyone for playing - see you at <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/\">Greek Holiday</a> this weekend!\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2022\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/greek-holiday/dsc07146/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2022\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07146-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://tulsagreekfestival.com/\">Greek Holiday</a>, the festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food, shopping and tours of the beautiful <a href=\"http://holytrinity.ok.goarch.org/\">Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church</a> to Tulsa since 1961, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night, Sept. 16.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->Yeah, the kids have gone back to school and football season has started. But fall never really seems at hand until I see the blue and white tent at 12th and Guthrie, just outside of the IDL in downtown Tulsa.\r\n\r\nMore years that I\'ve been alive than not, my family hasn\'t missed Greek Holiday. I even went the year I was three months pregnant and so nauseated by the faintest of smells that I could feel the top of my stomach in my knees.\r\n\r\nBut I would have given my life for a gyro. Such is the paradox of pregnancy.\r\n\r\nLast year was our son\'s third trip, really, since he spent his first Greek Holiday in utero, and it was the first time he ever knew the distinct pleasure of a drippy, crispy, super-sweet slice of baklava made by Tulsa\'s own Greek yayas and theas (Greek for grandmothers and aunts, famous for their skills in the kitchen).\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2023\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/greek-holiday/dsc07147/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2023\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07147.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nKiddo might have had a few Kourambiethes (almond-flavored butter cookies sprinkled with powdered sugar), too.\r\n\r\nBut he had nothing on what was piled on the adults\' plates: Gyros. Greek souvlaki (shish kabob). An appetizer plate heavy with spanakopita. Calamari.\r\n\r\nThat\'s four out of the nine items available on the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday, and where I come from, that\'s no average to sneeze at.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/menu.html\">Click here for the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday 2010 and info about Taverna</a>.\r\n\r\nWe also had a box full of treats from the festival bakery. Which included, of course, that dreamy baklava.\r\n\r\nThe baklava that you just can\'t get at a grocery store. The kind of baklava that could come only straight from the kitchen of a wise, knowing, feisty Greek woman.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2024\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/greek-holiday/dsc07151/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2024\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07151-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nSome things are sacred. This baklava is one of them.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/bakery.html\">Click here for more info on what\'s available in the bakery at Greek Holiday</a>.\r\n\r\nWhile food is my favorite part of practically any festival, there\'s much more to Greek Holiday than just the eats. Greek Holiday is home to some of the most exciting dance performances you\'ll see in Tulsa all year, thanks to its several authentically costumed dance groups. All told, about 80 people are involved in this aspect of the festival, and they range in age from about 4 years old to 80.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance_schedule.html\">Click here for the schedule of dance groups performing at Greek Holiday</a> or <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance.html\">here for more about the stories behind the songs and costumes</a>.\r\n\r\nThere\'s also a Greek market, Marketa. For sale is anything your little heart could desire from the birthplace of Western civilization, from olive oil and Kalamata olives to stunning, hand-crafted jewelry to the 50th anniversary cookbook of the Holy Trinity parish, <em>Cooking Greek in Tulsa</em>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/marketa.html\">Click here for more about Marketa and the imported merchandise that\'ll be available at Greek Holiday</a>.\r\n\r\nGreek Holiday is also a chance to learn about the Greek Orthodox religion and to find out more about the culture and traditions of the people in the church. Anyone who wanders through Holy Trinity during the festival is welcome to free tours.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2025\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/greek-holiday/dsc07152/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2025\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07152.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAs I mentioned before, yes, I look forward all year to the food on offer at Greek Holiday. But my real favorite part of this festival? That\'s it\'s about family.\r\n\r\nNow that it\'s reached its 50th year, multiple generations of the families of this parish have been involved in this festival. As you make your way down the a la carte line, you might be served your gyros and Greek-style potatoes by a grandmother and your Greek salad by her granddaughter. Entire families are involved in the ethnic dances, too, from moms and dads and kids and uncles to grandparents and great-grandparents.\r\n\r\nThis festival has, to put it lightly, some serious roots in this city.\r\n\r\nIt\'s easy to be part of this historic edition among historic editions of Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival. Admission is just $3, and that\'s only during the evenings and on Saturday. Before 4pm Thursday and Friday, there\'s no admission fee at all. And did I mention that all kids accompanied by an adult get in free?\r\n\r\nIt\'s true. They do.\r\n\r\nPlus, you have three whole days to make room in your schedule to spend a few hours exploring this event.\r\n\r\nLife can be even easier, though. <strong>You could win a gift basket full of Greek Holiday goodies right here at TDT.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe basket contains:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Dinner tickets for 4 (which includes beverage and free admission to the festival)</li>\r\n	<li>Two 2010 festival t-shirts</li>\r\n	<li>50th anniversary edition of the parish cookbook, <em>Cooking Greek for Tulsa</em></li>\r\n	<li>A box of assorted pastries, including baklava, finikia and kourambiethes</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAll you have to do for your chance to win this basket-o-heaven is <strong>head to the comments section on this post and tell me your favorite Greek food</strong>.\r\n\r\nPretty easy, right? I thought so, too.\r\n\r\n<strong>You have until tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 14) at 3pm to enter</strong>. I\'ll let <a href=\"http://www.Random.org\">Random.org</a> pick a winner later that afternoon, and I\'ll tack it all on right here as an update to this post.\r\n\r\nGood luck, everybody! And you know that I can\'t help but end this post with a big, hearty...\r\n\r\nOpa!\r\n\r\n<strong>Greek Holiday</strong>\r\nWhen: Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday, 11am-10pm; Saturday, 11am-10pm\r\nWhere: 1206 S. Guthrie Ave. (two blocks west of 11th Street and Denver Ave.; if you\'re taking the Broken Arrow Expressway, take the Houston exit)\r\nWeb: <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/\">TulsaGreekFestival.com</a>','Greek Holiday: Welcoming Fall with a Tulsa Tradition (Plus, a giveaway)','Greek Holiday, Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food and tours of the beautiful Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to Tulsa since 1960, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night. ','publish','open','open','','greek-holiday','','','2010-09-14 15:32:47','2010-09-14 20:32:47','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=2011',0,'post','',83),(192,1,'2009-06-13 19:44:00','2009-06-13 19:44:00','<img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SjRXEQSr7ZI/AAAAAAAABUM/5Cvegz35vJg/s400/IMG_0641.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346994388200058258\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Some of you may not know this, but Tulsa has a really rich handmade community.</div><div><br /></div><div>By \"handmade community,\" I mean a big group of hot chicks and <a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/louiscluck\">cool dudes</a> who make stuff by hand.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>From <a href=\"http://tulsacraftmafia.wordpress.com/\">Tulsa Craft Mafia</a> to indie girls scattered throughout the area to homegrown T-shirt companies, we T-Towners have the ability to consume everything from funky, custom-fit dresses to <a href=\"http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24452717\">personal, pint-sized Sasquatches</a>. I ask you, who doesn\'t need a Sasquatch the size of one\'s thumb? I have one, and it has come in handy on multiple occasions. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anytime you support local cottage industries, you\'re not only joining the cool kids\' club. You\'re also helping to keep your disposable income circulating right in your own hometown. In this day and age, that\'s a very good thing.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>Want a chance to sample some homegrown goodies without whipping out your wallet? In the coming weeks, I\'ll have a few chances for you. For now, I just have a little ol\' headband made lovingly by hand by <a href=\"http://felixandjayne.blogspot.com/\">Cristi, the gal behind Felix &amp; Jayne</a>.</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SjRXY2e6tqI/AAAAAAAABUU/kXK8f4xu3cw/s400/IMG_0642.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346994742049289890\" /><div><br /></div><div>Oh, wait. You know Felix &amp; Jayne? You say you saw them in <a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QhcNrpFFlIo/SjHKCrp-LEI/AAAAAAAAAvE/dhnwoyrygPU/s1600-h/360west.jpg\">360 West Magazine</a> and <a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QhcNrpFFlIo/SjKC3NezLGI/AAAAAAAAAvc/wS2JTkjuVSw/s1600-h/Handmade+News.png\">Handmade News</a> and on <a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QhcNrpFFlIo/SiKGO3IkDxI/AAAAAAAAAs8/CcqdNoaHzEs/s1600-h/EtsyFrontPage.jpg\">the front page of Etsy</a> and in the middle of all the fun action at <a href=\"http://www.dwellingspaces.com/\">Dwelling Spaces</a>? Well, in that case, I have a <i>big, bossy</i> headband made lovingly by hand by Cristi, the gal behind Felix &amp; Jayne! And Cristi wants one of you fine people to have it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here\'s how to win: Knit me a sweater. Ha! Just kidding. I knit my own sweaters. Instead, you can <b>check out <a href=\"http://twitter.com/felixandjayne\">Felix &amp; Jayne on Twitter</a> and leave the latest tweet in the comments on this post</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Really, really want this headband? <b>Increase your chances of winning it with extra entries</b>. Here\'s how: Point your browser to <a href=\"http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5369182\">Felix &amp; Jayne\'s home on the multinational handmade market Etsy.com</a>. Scavenge through the F&amp;J shop for items made with the color that overwhelmingly dominates my closet, <span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"color:#FF6600;\">orange</span>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Come up with the names and links to two items, stick \'em in the comments on this post and win an extra entry. Feel free to list as many items as you can find. Just keep in mind that two linked items = one comment on this post = one extra entry. So, don\'t list more than two items per comment, or I\'ll chase you with Cheez Whiz. </div><div><br /></div><div>I\'ll pick a winner using <a href=\"http://random.org/\">Random.org</a> Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m. Good luck! And try your own hand at crafting - <a href=\"http://blog.makezine.com/archive/robotics/\">robots</a>, <a href=\"http://craftzine.com/01/led/\">LED-adorned tank tops</a>, <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee_8IMx0uMo\">screen printed baby bibs</a>, whatever. Just try not to have a ball - I dare you.</div>','Have Some Handmade','','publish','open','open','','have-some-handmade','','','2009-06-13 19:44:00','2009-06-13 19:44:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=192',0,'post','',12),(193,1,'2009-06-14 13:21:00','2009-06-14 13:21:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://www.planitulsa.org/files/whichway3.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 479px; height: 144px;\" src=\"http://www.planitulsa.org/files/whichway3.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a><br />Wandering aimlessly on the Interwebs this rumbling, stormy Sunday? Head to <a href=\"http://www.planitulsa.org/whichwaytulsa\">the PLANiTULSA site and play around for a few minutes</a>. That\'s all the time it takes to affect the course of history in this here town. <div><br /></div><div>If you\'re in a quiz-taking mood (and judging by the enormous number of quiz results I see pass through my Facebook stream every single day, most of you usually are), log on to <a href=\"http://rrcinfo.com/surveys/tulsa-2009/?\">the Tulsa Parks Master Plan Survey</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>More than 140 parks, from splash pads to community theaters to nature centers and Tulsa\'s zoo, cover 60,000+ acres in the city of Tulsa. Help Tulsa Parks celebrate its upcoming birthday (100 years! Woot woot!) by helping to guide the future growth and development of the parks system in this city. Look for the final plan this fall, and don\'t forget to crash the Parks\' birthday party at Owen Park Aug. 8.</div><div><br /></div><div>Time is running out on these opportunities to stamp your name into the wet concrete that is our city\'s future. Okay, that was a really bad analogy. But you get my meaning. </div><div><br /></div><div>After you finish with the surveys, feel free to come back here and tell us how you voted. We wanna know why you think the way you do. We want to discuss and ponder and maybe fight a little. It\'ll be fun, trust me. </div><div><br /></div><div>See you in the comments.</div>','Got 5 Minutes?','','publish','open','open','','got-5-minutes','','','2009-06-14 13:21:00','2009-06-14 13:21:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=193',0,'post','',0),(194,1,'2009-06-15 03:32:00','2009-06-15 03:32:00','<img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;\" src=\"http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/9/d/f/highres_8646623.jpeg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">No, I\'m not suggesting you go on a murderous rampage through Tulsa with an illegally obtained firearm. I am, however, asking you to warm up your trigger finger.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want to know your town more deeply, or even if you\'re new here and you\'re looking to get acquainted with your environs, one of the best ways to do that is through the lens of a good camera.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>Not sure where to start? There\'s a group in town to help you.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div><a href=\"http://www.meetup.com/Tulsa-Digital-Photography-Group/\">The Tulsa Digital Photography Group</a>, a local group for amateur and professional shutterbugs alike, descends regularly on Tulsa landmarks, usually with a directive like a scavenger hunt or a mission that pairs an experienced photographer with a novice and unleashes them on a learning experience together. Armed to the hilt with multiple cameras and equipment slung over their backs and shoulders, the members of TDPG traverse the Tulsa area, <a href=\"http://www.meetup.com/Tulsa-Digital-Photography-Group/photos/all_albums/?albumId=619006\">capturing and sharing this city in ways that double-dare you to try to look at the city the same way as always</a>.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/5/c/d/600_8130157.jpeg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /><div style=\"text-align: left;\">The group is open to everyone, from beginners to professionals, high school kids to retired ladies and gents. It combines once-a-month learning sessions at <a href=\"http://www.tulsalibrary.org/hardesty/\">Hardesty Library</a> with bimonthly photo shoots at locations about town, including <a href=\"http://www.tulsagardencenter.com/\">Woodward Park</a>, the <a href=\"http://www.coughsyrupgreen.com/bluedome/\">Blue Dome Arts Festival</a> and, over the weekend, <a href=\"http://www.tulsazoo.org/\">Tulsa Zoo</a>.</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/8/e/b/600_9130475.jpeg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"line-height: 16px; \"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\">If you love the technical, the TDPG has gear heads who will talk shop all day long. If you love the art, there are friends there who feel the same way.</span></span></span></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"line-height: 16px;\"><br /></span></div><div>Membership in the TDPG is a mere $1 per month, but no one is turned away. Models can join the group free of charge and post a photo of themselves so the group has ready access to them if there\'s a shoot.   </div><div><br /></div><div>The next TDPG meetup is a library session June 24 starting at 7 p.m. Come at 6:30 for a little meeting and greeting. The topic for the session has yet to be determined, so stay tuned for that. </div><div><br /></div><div>One of the most popular posts on this site is one of the first I ever wrote: <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2007_04_22_archive.html\">You, Too, Can Do Tulsa</a>. It was the call to action that got this blog started, so it\'s where I send the TDT curious to let them get a feel for what this site is all about. </div><div><br /></div><div>Go ahead and add field photography to that list I made two years ago about timeless ways to get to know your town. Then, take some shots. Share them at <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/groups/tashadoestulsa\">the Tasha Does Tulsa group on Flickr</a>, and forgo a trip through the drive thru this week so you\'ll have the cash for a year\'s membership in the Tulsa Digital Photography Group. </div><div><br /></div><div>These are top-notch, extra-fun ways to become Tulsa literate. Don\'t come complaining to me when you win a photography award or score a show at a local gallery in the process.  </div><div><br /></div><div>Photos in this post thanks to <a href=\"http://www.martycoleman.com/\">Marty Coleman</a> (first shot) and <a href=\"http://havesporkwilltravel.blogspot.com/\">Amanda Emerson</a> (second and third shots). Grazie, you two.</div>','Get to Know Your Town: Shoot It.','','publish','open','open','','get-to-know-your-town-shoot-it','','','2009-06-15 03:32:00','2009-06-15 03:32:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=194',0,'post','',3),(195,1,'2009-06-17 02:29:00','2009-06-17 02:29:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sjhb5ecD08I/AAAAAAAABU0/SHQ7qVfMjjY/s1600-h/IMG_0641.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sjhb5ecD08I/AAAAAAAABU0/SHQ7qVfMjjY/s400/IMG_0641.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348125600483890114\" /></a><br /><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Up for grabs here at TDT over the weekend until this afternoon was <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/06/have-some-handmade.html\">a headband handmade by local celebrity/crafter Cristi Martin</a>. I asked you all to go on a little scavenger hunt through <a href=\"http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5369182\">her online storefront at Etsy.com</a>, and you dutifully posted <a href=\"http://twitter.com/felixandjayne\">her latest tweets</a>, too.</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div>Thanks to everyone for playing, and thanks for your interest in Tulsa\'s handmade community. G\'night! </div><div><br /></div><div>Wait, what? What\'s that you say? I didn\'t announce a winner? Hey, I know that. You just didn\'t let me finish.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>As I was writing before I was so rudely interrupted by the imaginary audience in my head, it\'s a good night for a handmade headband giveaway. Let\'s get on with it, shall we? </div><div><br /></div><div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 172px; height: 194px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SjhX7qy4KPI/AAAAAAAABUc/es5k5d_pwCw/s400/Picture+5.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348121240114047218\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Who was lucky 13?</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 148px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SjhZZn9CuKI/AAAAAAAABUs/elfULxcuOUU/s400/Picture+6.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348122854259079330\" /><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Congrats to another local maker, Renee! E-mail me at tashadoestulsa@gmail.com to claim your flippin\' sweet headgear. You guys, <a href=\"http://greenerme.net/\">Renee makes some of the most beautiful wedding and baby invitations, and they\'re 100% handmade</a>. She\'s talented, so take a minute and check her out.</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">No, seriously, thanks to everyone for playing, as well as for your interest in Tulsa\'s handmade community. Don\'t mind me. <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/06/critters.html\">I have frogs and snakes in my house</a> and can\'t be taken seriously at this time.</div>','Maker Gets Handmade','','publish','open','open','','maker-gets-handmade','','','2009-06-17 02:29:00','2009-06-17 02:29:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=195',0,'post','',1),(196,1,'2009-06-17 12:52:00','2009-06-17 12:52:00','<span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; \"><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">It\'s 3am and you\'re awake, staring into the glow of your laptop computer.</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">It\'s been a month since you got the dreaded pink slip. You\'ve had leads, even landed a few job interviews, but no job offers, not yet.</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">The unemployment rate in the state isn\'t great at 6.2 percent, and at least we\'re not auto-industry laden Michigan with its 12.9 percent jobless rate, but still. How to stand out against all those applicants? Isn\'t there a better way to land a job than to send 400 resumes to nondescript HR post offices boxes? And, by the way, how much do singing telegrams cost these days?</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">Then, you\'ve got mail--e-mail, that is. It\'s from your mom. She asks if \"this Facebook thing\" is populated by ax murderers and child molesters and ice cream men and, if not, maybe it could help you in your job search.</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">The answer? Of course. How? Indeed.</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia, sans-serif;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">Read the rest of this story in <a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A27359\">Consumer Watchdog at Urban Tulsa Weekly</a>.</span></span></p></span>','Untagged','','publish','open','open','','untagged','','','2009-06-17 12:52:00','2009-06-17 12:52:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=196',0,'post','',1),(197,1,'2009-06-17 14:58:00','2009-06-17 14:58:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://tulsacares.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/klondike5-2-gavin-elliott.jpg\"><img style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: hand; width: 750px; height: 500px;\" src=\"http://tulsacares.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/klondike5-2-gavin-elliott.jpg\" alt=\"\" border=\"0\" /></a>\r\nLooking for a place to rock out this weekend? Set your sights on Flytrap Music Hall downtown as it hosts <a href=\"http://myspace.com/tulsacaresfest\">the second annual Tulsa Cares Fest</a>, a music festival that benefits <a href=\"http://www.tulsacares.org/\">Tulsa CARES</a>. It\'s Saturday night from 7 p.m. until midnight, and Flytrap Music Hall is at Second and Greenwood.\r\n<div>The mission of <a href=\"http://tulsacares.org/\">Tulsa CARES</a> is to provide programs for low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS in northeastern Oklahoma.</div>\r\n<div><a href=\"http://myspace.com/tulsacaresfest\">Tulsa Cares Fest</a> is packed with hot local artists, including My Solstice, Stars Go Dim, Callupsie, Ptiaradactyl, Joe Mack, Cracker Wagon, Blood Runs Cold and Bring Down the Hammer.</div>\r\n<div>Admission is $8 in advance. Head to the Flytrap Music Hall Web site for tickets, or pay $10 at the door.</div>\r\n<div>Or, cross your fingers and hold your mouth in just the right way and head to the comments. <strong>If you can post how Tulsa Cares Fest is feeling on Myspace today, you get one entry to win a pair of tickets to Saturday night\'s show. If you add Tulsa Cares Fest as a friend on Myspace, you get two extra entries</strong>.</div>\r\n<div>Post to let me know the date and time you added TCF to your Myspace friends, and no cheating. I\'m a mother now, and I have a sixth sense about these things. All transgressors will go on my list of people to photograph while sneezing for the coffee table book I\'m putting together.</div>\r\n<div>Trust me, you don\'t want a full-bleed shot of you sneezing lying on every coffee table in Tulsa.</div>\r\n<div>You have until tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon at 1 p.m. to enter. I\'ll announce the winner later that evening.</div>\r\n<div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">While you\'re perusing </span><a href=\"http://myspace.com/tulsacaresfest\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">the Tulsa Cares Fest page on Myspace</span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">, remember that though HIV/AIDS isn\'t generally a newsworthy topic in Tulsa, Oklahoma, it\'s still a growing </span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">problem. </span></span></div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div>\r\n<p style=\"font: normal normal normal 1em/normal \'Lucida Grande\', \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Verdana, sans-serif; margin-top: 12px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">“We are still living in the middle of an epidemic,” said Tulsa CARES Executive Director Sharon Thoele. “The only difference now is that we don’t talk about it. We want to open the door to this conversation in a way that is inviting to everyone. Hopefully, this event will serve as a reminder that the epidemic isn’t over and that medication isn’t a cure.” </span></span></p>\r\n<p style=\"font: normal normal normal 1em/normal \'Lucida Grande\', \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Verdana, sans-serif; margin-top: 12px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">Tulsa CARES Fest is sponsored by Fly Trap Music Hall, Williams, Whole Foods Market, </span></span><em style=\"font: normal normal normal 1em/normal \'Lucida Grande\', \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Verdana, sans-serif; font-style: italic; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">Urban Tulsa Weekly</span></span></em><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\"> and Aaron S. Harman, D.D.S. </span></span></p>\r\n<p style=\"font: normal normal normal 1em/normal \'Lucida Grande\', \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Verdana, sans-serif; margin-top: 12px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: georgia, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Verdana, sans-serif;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">Good luck, rockers! See you in the comments.</span></span></p>\r\n<p style=\"font: normal normal normal 1em/normal \'Lucida Grande\', \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Verdana, sans-serif; margin-top: 12px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: georgia, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Verdana, sans-serif;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\"><a href=\"http://tulsacares.wordpress.com/a-look-at-tulsa-cares-fest-2008/\">Photo by Gavin Elliot as published by Tulsa CARES on its Web site</a>.</span></span></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','Rock and Roll on Saturday Night','','private','open','open','','rock-and-roll-on-saturday-night','','','2012-03-27 14:25:44','2012-03-27 20:25:44','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=197',0,'post','',2),(10900,1,'2009-09-23 13:45:00','2009-09-23 13:45:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img src=\"http://www.cfbeo.org/graphics/rteh.jpg\" /></div><br />Thursday night offers two opportunities to not just feed the hungry, but to also feed yourself.<div><br /></div><div>First is an New England dinner with Chef Michael Fusco, one of the acknowledged greats of Tulsa\'s chefs and master creator of deliciosity at the Riverside Grille that bears his name. For $50 and a reservation in advance (<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Community-Food-Bank-of-Eastern-Oklahoma/92368229508?ref=ts\">get with the Food Bank on Facebook to claim your spot</a> - hurry, because they\'re going fast) you can learn some of Chef Fusco\'s culinary secrets while you enjoy a three-course dinner, including New England Clam Chowder, Waldorf Salad and Corned Beef and Indian Pudding, complete with wine for each course. The class/dinner will be at the demonstration in the Food Bank\'s Culinary Center, 1304 N. Kenosha, starting at 6pm.</div><div><br /></div><div>If this isn\'t your kind of event, remember the foodie in your life and <a href=\"http://www.cfbeo.org/recipe.html\">snag a gift certificate for this Recipe to End Hunger event or one in the future</a>.</div><div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img src=\"http://www.ctfoodbank.org/images/HungerActionMonth_Logo.jpg\" /></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The second event of the evening is the Classical Concert at Harwelden with the Food Bank. Starting at 7pm, feed your ears and feed the hungry at this live concert at one of Tulsa\'s most cherished historic mansions. Players are Karl M. Johnson (piano), Lon de Ada (flamenco guitarist), Joesf Glaude (harp guitar) and the Tulsa Friends of Chamber Music.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><div>Refreshments, including wine and cheese, will be on hand. <a href=\"http://www.cfbeo.org/calendar.html\">Get in to this swanky little party by donating 10 cans of food (or, you can bring a good, old-fashioned ten-spot)</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>This concert is part of <a href=\"http://hungeractionmonth.org/\">Hunger Action Month, which will come to a close Sept. 30</a>. All proceeds benefit the Food Bank Oklahoma.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>While you\'re planning how you\'ll help to feed the hungry Thursday night, why not take it a step further and give up something small? <a href=\"http://hungeractionmonth.org/\">Check out the Give A Little calculator</a>. According to this little do-dad, you could give up a mere four tanning bed sessions and provide an overwhelming 90 meals for someone in need. </div></div></div>','Thursday: Finish Hunger Action Month Strong','','inherit','open','open','','287-revision','','','2009-09-23 13:45:00','2009-09-23 13:45:00','',287,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/09/287-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(198,1,'2009-06-18 02:00:00','2009-06-18 02:00:00','<img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 534px;\" src=\"http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/l/kj/09/6/2/788/r6/3165nma_20.jpeg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Downtown Tulsa is bursting with new digs with that urban-chic feel. More than 1,500 lofts and apartments are available, with several new loft construction projects underway in some of Tulsa\'s legacy buildings.Since urban living isn\'t exactly the first thing that comes to mind when folks think of home life in Oklahoma (anyone else repeatedly asked by non-Midwesterners what it\'s like to live in a log cabin, tee-pee or on a farm, and by the way how\'s the dustbowl thing coming along?), a little guide through the choices is mighty nice.</div><div><br /></div><div>As part of its mission to enhance Tulsa\'s livability, the <a href=\"http://www.tulsaarchitecture.com/\">Tulsa Foundation for Architecture</a> will host <a href=\"http://www.tulsaarchitecture.com/tours.shtml\">its third annual Downtown Living Tour June 27th and 28th</a>.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>Five spaces, some open and some still under renovation but scheduled to soon hit the market, will be open specifically for this event.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>Tour stops are the <a href=\"http://www.themayohotel.com/index.php\">Mayo Hotel and Luxury Residences</a>; <a href=\"http://www.firststlofts.com/\">First Street Lofts</a>; <a href=\"http://www.tulsapreservationcommission.org/blog/index.pl?e=1029\">Wire Rope Building Lofts</a>; along with two additional urban living spaces. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tour hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Advance tickets are available at <a href=\"http://tulsaarchitecture.com/\">the TFA Web site</a> and at <a href=\"http://www.dwellingspaces.net/\">Dwelling Spaces</a>, 119 S. Detroit Ave., for $20 per person, or $35 for two. The price includes transportation to each site by <a href=\"http://ttowntrolley.wordpress.com/\">the T-Town Trolley</a>.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>Tickets will be available on both days of the tour during tour hours at <a href=\"http://www.topecacoffee.com/\">Cafe Topeca, 115 W. Fifth Street, Ste. 169</a>.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>To kick off the weekend tour, the TFA will host a Patron Party on Friday, June 26, 5-7 p.m. at a pad near Third and Kenosha. Tickets for this exclusive event are available for $50 and include two weekend tour tickets, food from local restaurants like <a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/bluedomediner\">Blue Dome Diner</a>, <a href=\"http://www.dailygrill.com/\">Daily Grill</a>, <a href=\"http://elotetulsa.com/\">Elote Cafe &amp; Catering</a>, <a href=\"http://www.impressionsrestaurant.com/\">Impressions</a>, <a href=\"http://joemommas.com/\">Joe Momma\'s</a> and <a href=\"http://www.oscarsgastropub.com/\">F.B. Oscar\'s Gastropub</a>. Select wines from <a href=\"http://www.tulsawine.com/\">Girouard Vines</a> and an assortment of beers from <a href=\"http://mcnellies.com/\">James E. McNellie\'s Public House</a> will also be available. Tickets to this swanky little shindig can be snagged at the same locations were tour tickets are sold.</div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 914px; height: 502px;\" src=\"http://www.firststlofts.com/1stloftviewfromeast.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>Speaking of <a href=\"http://tulsawine.com/\">Girouard Vines, it\'s Tulsa\'s only downtown winery</a>. Chris Girouard, the Tulsa face of the operation, has come up with a red wine he calls Tulsa Art Deco. The label features the Tulsa Fire Alarm building and architectural information from the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture. Labels for his other wines are in the works, so be on the lookout for those.</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 339px; height: 283px;\" src=\"http://www.tulsawine.com/media/tulsa-deco.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /><div><br /></div><div>Tulsa Foundation for Architecture is a resource that recognizes, records and encourages preservation of the built environment and advocates future development that enhances Tulsa\'s livability. Through awards programs, speakers, tours and publications, TFA promotes and encourages preservation and rehabilitation of significant architecture; conserves historic architectural drawings and related materials; identifies valuable architectural works of merit; and educates Tulsans about the built environment. </div><div><br /></div><div>Whew. </div><div><br /></div><div>TFA is busy, but not too busy to be generous. The foundation wants to give one lucky TDT reader two tickets to the Patron Party and two tickets to the Downtown Living Tour, redeemable any time on either date, at the winner\'s fancy. </div><div><br /></div><div>It\'s easy to enter. Simple answer this question correctly: </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Who commissioned the ORIGINAL construction of the home of one of the first rehabilitated downtown loft projects, Philtower Lofts, the Philtower Building? One bonus entry goes to each contestant who tells me the year ORIGINAL construction was completed. </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, lucky people. You have until Friday, June 19, at 1 p.m. to enter. Good luck, and delightful dwelling! </div><div><br /></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:small;\"><i>First photo, <a href=\"http://www.themayohotel.com/\">loft unit in the Mayo Hotel &amp; Luxury Residences project</a>.</i></span></div>','Dwelling Downtown','','publish','open','open','','dwelling-downtown','','','2009-06-18 02:00:00','2009-06-18 02:00:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=198',0,'post','',15),(2012,1,'2010-09-12 23:00:08','2010-09-13 04:00:08','\n\nGreek Holiday, Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food and tours of the beautiful Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to Tulsa since 1960, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night. \n\n<!--more-->Yeah, the kids have gone back to school and football season has started. But fall never really seems at hand until I see the blue and white tent at 15th and Guthrie. \n\nMore years that I\'ve been alive than not, my family hasn\'t missed Greek Holiday. I even went the year I was three months pregnant and so nauseated by the faintest of smells that I could feel the top of my stomach in my knees. \n\nBut I would have given my life for a gyro. Such is the paradox of pregnancy. \n\nLast year was our son\'s third trip, really, since he spent his first Greek Holiday in utero, and it was the first time he ever knew the distinct pleasure of a drippy, crispy, super-sweet slice of baklava made by Tulsa\'s own Greek yayas and thias. \n\nHe might have had a few cookies, too. \n\nBut he had nothing on what was piled on our plates. Gyros. Greek souvlaki (shish kabob). Spanakopita. Kalamari. And a box full of treats from the festival bakery. \n\nWhich included, of course, that dreamy baklava. The baklava that you just can\'t get at a grocery store. The kind of baklava that could come only straight from the kitchen of a Greek woman. \n\nSome things are sacred. This baklava is one of them. \n\nWhile food is my favorite part of practically any festival, there\'s much more to Greek Holiday than just the eats. Greek Holiday is home to some of the most beautiful dancing you\'ll see in Tulsa all year, thanks to dozens of authentically costumed dance groups. All told, about 80 people are involved in this aspect of the festival, and they range in age from about 4 years old to 80. \n\nAs I mentioned before, yes, I love the food on offer at Greek holiday. But the real best part about this festival to me? That\'s it\'s a family endeavor. Now that it\'s reached its 50th year, multiple generations of the families of this parish have been involved in this festival. As you make your way down the a la carte line, you might be served your rice pilaf by a yaya and your stuffed grape leaves by her granddaughter. Entire families are involved in the ethnic dances you\'ll see throughout the festival, comprised of moms and dads and kids and uncles and grandparents and great-grandparents. \n\nThis festival has, to put it lightly, some serious roots. \n\nIt\'s easy to be part of this historic edition among historic editions of Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival. Admission is just $3, and you have three whole days to make room in your schedule to spend a few hours exploring this event. \n\nWhat\'d make you Greek Holiday-going life even easier is this giveaway package, courtesy of the organizers of the festival: \n\nDinner tickets for 4 (includes beverage and free admission)\n\nTwo festival t-shirts\n\n50th Anniversary Edition of our parish cookbook, Cooking Greek for Tulsa\n\nBox of assorted pastries to include baklava, finikia and kourambiethes\n\nGreek Holiday\nWhen: Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday, 11am-10pm; Saturday, 11am-10pm\nWhere: 1206 S. Guthrie Ave. (two blocks west of 11th Street and Denver Ave.; if you\'re taking the Broken Arrow Expressway, take the Houston exit)\nWeb: \n\n','Greek Holiday: Welcoming Fall with a Tulsa Tradition (Plus, a giveaway)','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision','','','2010-09-12 23:00:08','2010-09-13 04:00:08','',2011,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/2011-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(3009,1,'2010-10-14 16:18:15','2010-10-14 21:18:15','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2993\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1600/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2993\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_1600-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a>\r\n\r\nIn case you haven\'t noticed, pumpkin patches aren\'t just pumpkin patches anymore. In fact, they\'re bona fide, fall-time amusement destinations.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><!--more-->\r\n[adrotate group=\"2\" banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\nThese places are home to hayrides, pony rides, costume contests, pumpkin launches and cannons, concession stands packing your fall favorites, petting zoos, trick-or-treat opportunities and even live entertainment in some cases.\r\n\r\nBe sure to check out <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/pumpkin-patches-in-tulsa/\">the TDT list of pumpkin patches</a> and <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/halloween-kids-2010/\">the list of things to do in Tulsa for kids and families for Halloween</a> for a list of patches and Halloween destinations and what they offer. In the meantime, I want to share some photos with you all of our most recent trip to one of our favorite pumpkin patches.\r\n\r\nMostly because they make me laugh.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2995\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1605-2/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2995\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_16051-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMy son wants one of these little playhouses, at <a href=\"http://www.pumpkintownok.com/\">Pumpkin Town</a> at 81st and Mingo, so bad he can taste it. He especially likes the pink and purple ones.\r\n\r\nNot that there\'s anything wrong with that, of course.\r\n\r\nAnd wow, check out that Oklahoma pre-storm sky. Incredible.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2996\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1620/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2996\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_1620-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe found some ponies to visit, too.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2997\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1621-2/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2997\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_16211.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"425\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWhich can be scary when you\'re two, actually.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2998\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1627-2/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2998\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_16271.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"426\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2999\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1623/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2999\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_1623.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"425\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nBut eventually, you relax. You relax and you let your inhibitions fall by the wayside.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3000\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1629-2/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3000\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_16291-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWaaay down by the wayside.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3001\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1639/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3001\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_1639.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"426\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nI\'m going to keep this photo for when my son is 16 and refuses to to do anything around the house, much less mow the lawn. I\'ll use it to remind him how much he used to want to be like his dad on the afternoons he dons old work boots and mows our lawn with a push mower.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3004\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1650/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3004\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_1650.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"425\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nI have only 13 and a half more years to wait for this opportunity, but still. I\'m already excited.\r\n\r\nAnd then there\'s this:\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3002\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1643-2/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3002\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_16431.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"426\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nA pumpkin launch is definitely something I could get into.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3003\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1646-2/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3003\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_16461-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a>\r\n\r\nPumpkin Town only opens its Pumpkin Launch on the weekends, which means two things: One, come this Friday, no pumpkin is safe. Two, you\'ll know exactly where to find me this Saturday.\r\n\r\nWhich Tulsa-area pumpkin patch is your favorite? What keeps you coming back year after year?','Stuff to Do at Tulsa Pumpkin Patches','In case you haven\'t noticed, pumpkin patches aren\'t just pumpkin patches anymore. In fact, they\'re bona fide, fall-time amusement destinations.\r\n','inherit','open','open','','2992-revision-5','','','2010-10-14 16:18:15','2010-10-14 21:18:15','',2992,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/2992-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0);
INSERT INTO `wptdt_posts` VALUES (3010,1,'2010-10-14 16:18:31','2010-10-14 21:18:31','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2993\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1600/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2993\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_1600-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a>\r\n\r\nIn case you haven\'t noticed, pumpkin patches aren\'t just pumpkin patches anymore. In fact, they\'re bona fide, fall-time amusement destinations.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><!--more-->\r\n[adrotate group=\"2\" banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\nThese places are home to hayrides, pony rides, costume contests, pumpkin launches and cannons, concession stands packing your fall favorites, petting zoos, trick-or-treat opportunities and even live entertainment in some cases.\r\n\r\nBe sure to check out <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/pumpkin-patches-in-tulsa/\">the TDT list of pumpkin patches</a> and <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/halloween-kids-2010/\">the list of things to do in Tulsa for kids and families for Halloween</a> for a list of patches and Halloween destinations and what they offer. In the meantime, I want to share some photos with you all of our most recent trip to one of our favorite pumpkin patches.\r\n\r\nMostly because they make me laugh.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2995\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1605-2/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2995\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_16051-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMy son wants one of these little playhouses, at <a href=\"http://www.pumpkintownok.com/\">Pumpkin Town</a> at 81st and Mingo, so bad he can taste it. He especially likes the pink and purple ones.\r\n\r\nNot that there\'s anything wrong with that, of course.\r\n\r\nAnd wow, check out that Oklahoma pre-storm sky. Incredible.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2996\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1620/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2996\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_1620-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe found some ponies to visit, too.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2997\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1621-2/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2997\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_16211.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"425\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWhich can be scary when you\'re two, actually.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2998\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1627-2/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2998\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_16271.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"426\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2999\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1623/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2999\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_1623.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"425\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nBut eventually, you relax. You relax and you let your inhibitions fall by the wayside.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3000\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1629-2/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3000\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_16291-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWaaay down by the wayside.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3001\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1639/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3001\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_1639.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"426\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nI\'m going to keep this photo for when my son is 16 and refuses to to do anything around the house, much less mow the lawn. I\'ll use it to remind him how much he used to want to be like his dad on the afternoons he dons old work boots and mows our lawn with a push mower.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3004\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1650/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3004\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_1650.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"425\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nI have only 13 and a half more years to wait for this opportunity, but still. I\'m already excited.\r\n\r\nAnd then there\'s this:\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3002\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1643-2/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3002\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_16431.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"426\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nA pumpkin launch is definitely something I could get into.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3003\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/stuff-to-do-at-tulsa-pumpkin-patches/dsc_1646-2/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3003\" title=\"Pumpkin Town\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_16461-500x332.jpg\" alt=\"Pumpkin Town\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" /></a>\r\n\r\nPumpkin Town only opens its Pumpkin Launch on the weekends, which means two things: One, come this Friday, no pumpkin is safe. Two, you\'ll know exactly where to find me this Saturday.\r\n\r\nWhich Tulsa-area pumpkin patch is your favorite? What keeps you coming back year after year?','Stuff to Do at Tulsa Pumpkin Patches','In case you haven\'t noticed, pumpkin patches aren\'t just pumpkin patches anymore. In fact, they\'re bona fide, fall-time amusement destinations.\r\n','inherit','open','open','','2992-revision-6','','','2010-10-14 16:18:31','2010-10-14 21:18:31','',2992,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/2992-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(200,1,'2009-06-19 23:29:00','2009-06-19 23:29:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SgjsUzlPVvI/AAAAAAAABHA/a093ySWHeTc/s400/DSC04792-3.JPG\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 384px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SgjsUzlPVvI/AAAAAAAABHA/a093ySWHeTc/s400/DSC04792-3.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a><br /><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"   style=\"  border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 17px; font-family:tahoma, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13px;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\">Psst – hey, you. Looking for a secluded lunchtime respite with easy access from downtown? Want someplace to whisk away those potential clients for a stellar lunch without being interrupted by someone you know every five minutes at one of the swanky Brookside bistros?</span></span><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\">Look no further than 10 minutes from the IDL on Historic Route 66. Thanks to the gleaming silos beckoning from the parking lot just south of I-44, it’s impossible to miss <a href=\"http://www.avalonsteakhouse.com/\">Avalon Steakhouse</a>.</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\">Read the rest of this restaurant review on </span></span><a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/article.asp?aID=86852961.6545421.639938.8475729.1536735.729&amp;aID2=49217\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\">the Food Page in Tulsa Business Journal</span></span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\">.</span></span></p></span>','Power Lunch: Avalon Steakhouse','','publish','open','open','','power-lunch-avalon-steakhouse','','','2009-06-19 23:29:00','2009-06-19 23:29:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=200',0,'post','',0),(201,1,'2009-06-20 21:57:00','2009-06-20 21:57:00','<div style=\"text-align: left;\">Still wondering what to do for good ol\' dad on his one and only day of the year (that is, besides his birthday). It\'s okay - I have a few quick-fix ideas for you.</div><div><br /><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShNqHFGaXOI/AAAAAAAABMQ/UBOAkF91fRc/s400/CRW_0369.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /><div><br /></div><div><b>Oklahoma Aquarium</b>. Show dad he\'s your favorite fish in the sea. On Father\'s Day, dads get in <a href=\"http://www.okaquarium.org/\">Oklahoma Aquarium</a> for free. Ha! That rhymed. Keep in mind that it\'s one free dad admission per paid admission.</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 500px;\" src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/3465014711_eb410b0850.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div><b>Circle Cinema</b>. Dad a film nut? Take him in to <a href=\"http://www.circlecinema.com/\">Circle Cinema</a> and procure for him some free popcorn. When you give him that bag of buttery goodness, you can say something really sweet, like, \"Dad, you\'re the best POP ever.\" Don\'t thank me. I do this for a living.</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 573px; height: 211px;\" src=\"http://marshallbrewing.com/images/pic.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /><div><br /></div><div><b>Tulsa\'s Signature Brew</b>. What dad wouldn\'t love a cold one on Father\'s Day? Take him <a href=\"http://marshallbrewing.com/index.asp\">a few of those oversized, 22-oz. bottles of Marshall brew</a>, and Dad won\'t be able to thank you enough. There\'s still time to head to liquor store, y\'all, so head out. </div><div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.918couponqueenblog.com/\"><img src=\"http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/chelstephenson/aquapoppydesigns/918couponqueenlink.jpg\" /></a></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Don\'t Get Cheap</b>. But, saving a few bucks while pleasing the heck outta Dad is certainly allowed. Head to <a href=\"http://www.918couponqueenblog.com/2009/06/fathers-day-deals.html\">the blog of Tulsa\'s very own 918 Coupon Queen</a> for her list of Father\'s Day deals. </div><div><br /></div><div>Have some tips on how to flatter Father this year on Dad\'s day? Leave \'em in the comments.</div><div><br /></div><div>Aquarium photo by <a href=\"http://beachbumwannabe.com/beachbumwannabe/Welcome.html\">Laura Ritchhart of Beach Bum Wannabe</a>. Marshall photo from <a href=\"http://marshallbrewing.com/index.asp\">Marshall Brewing Web site</a>.</div></div>','Father\'s Day in Tulsa','','publish','open','open','','fathers-day-in-tulsa','','','2009-06-20 21:57:00','2009-06-20 21:57:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=201',0,'post','',2),(202,1,'2009-06-22 19:13:00','2009-06-22 19:13:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sj_dphlM9KI/AAAAAAAABVE/cMWEzKf8RrM/s1600-h/Picture+7.png\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 320px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sj_dphlM9KI/AAAAAAAABVE/cMWEzKf8RrM/s320/Picture+7.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350238587798221986\" /></a><br /><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Yeah, it was almost a full week ago, but I\'m sure you remember <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/06/dwelling-downtown.html\">the little giveaway I hosted here last Wednesday, thanks to the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture, for two tickets to the Patron Party and Downtown Living Tour later this week</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>To enter, I forced you to do a teensy, weensy bit of homework. Who was it who commissioned the building of the home of the Philtower Lofts, the Philtower Building. Good ol\' Waite Phillips, that\'s who. And when was his vision fulfilled? In 1928.</div><div><br /></div><div>Though several of you submitted the correct answers, the resourceful AND lucky respondent is...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href=\"http://greyeyedesigns.blogspot.com/\">Brigid</a>! Congrats, woman. <a href=\"mailto: tashadoestulsa.com\">E-mail me</a> to claim your prize. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for playing, everyone. Don\'t forget, you can still score tickets to the Downtown Living Tour at <a href=\"http://dwellingspaces.net\">Dwelling Spaces</a>, as well as at <a href=\"http://tulsaarchitecture.com/store.shtml\">the TFA Web site</a>. You don\'t want to miss this event, people, so get on the ball. </div>','The Winner Dwells Downtown','','publish','open','open','','winner-dwells-downtown','','','2009-06-22 19:13:00','2009-06-22 19:13:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=202',0,'post','',1),(203,1,'2009-06-22 19:47:00','2009-06-22 19:47:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sj_sZ4hnHRI/AAAAAAAABV8/aGo-A4lFwZM/s1600-h/DSC05663.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sj_sZ4hnHRI/AAAAAAAABV8/aGo-A4lFwZM/s400/DSC05663.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350254811753684242\" /></a><br /><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Last Friday I had the pleasure of being invited by <a href=\"http://www.sageculinarystudio.com/\">Sage Culinary Studio owner Catherine deCamp</a> to judge a sort of Iron Chef-style competition among eight 11- to 14-year-olds in one of her summer camps for cooks-in-training.</div><div><br /></div><div>The kids had been plugging away at recipe after recipe for an entire week, only to come in Friday, get handed an arm-full of the secret ingredient (apples!) and cook for two long, smoldering hours for three women they\'d never met. </div><div><br /></div><div>These women were not to be idle masticators, eating the food as guests. Oh, no. We were <i>judges</i>, and Catherine had prodded us to criticize freely.<div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>Poor Catherine. She really shouldn\'t have done that.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sj_rMNcUfVI/AAAAAAAABVc/8BFhJ8oR5Jw/s400/DSC05646.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350253477338840402\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>Never mind that these kids came to camp to learn to cook, meaning they\'d probably spend a minimum amount of time in the kitchen at home. Never mind that they\'d been slaving away over hot stoves and ovens for longer than most kids their age can manage to do just about any one thing. Never mind that they were <i>11 freakin\' years old</i>.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>At least, I never minded. I gave \'em hell. I was the Simon Cowell of the Sage Iron Chef Competition.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sj_sC0zCGjI/AAAAAAAABV0/HTDnRJtVo9g/s400/DSC05659.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350254415616023090\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>It was sad, really - an overgrown bully of a food critic telling prepubescent kiddos that their dishes were unimaginative, that their chicken breasts were like drywall, that they shouldn\'t have made such a heavy dessert to cap off two courses of salad - and by the way, little Jane and Janey, who does two courses of salad? - all while they stood quietly, not daring to look me in the eye.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sj_rdCX5fyI/AAAAAAAABVk/dTr6_r5QvDE/s400/DSC05656.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350253766425280290\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>I\'m surprised no one cried, especially <a href=\"http://twitter.com/tulsakids\">Tulsa Kids editor Betty Casey</a>. She did have to sit right next to me, after all, which I\'m sure was embarrassing in that way that happens when you have to escort your inebriated grandmother with wine-induced delusions of grandeur out to the van, all the while whispering, \"Grams, could you use your inside voice, please?\" </div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sj_rvx2cJ8I/AAAAAAAABVs/0LO_ezQKpzU/s400/DSC05662.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350254088407492546\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>Not that I would know anything about exactly how embarrassing that would be.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>Thank you, Catherine, for asking me to help judge your Iron Chef Competition. Thank you, fellow judges, for not stabbing my feet under the table with the heels of your pumps. Thanks most of all to you, Sage students, for not looking up my address so that you could camp out on my front lawn to wait for me to emerge so you could pelt me with dodgeballs.</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 386px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sj_qd2IEEuI/AAAAAAAABVU/1y-5pQfsnzc/s400/DSC05649.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350252680805880546\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>Yikes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Check <a href=\"http://www.sageculinarystudio.com/\">the Sage Culinary Studio Web site</a> for more information on cooking summer camps. They\'re a great way to keep the kids from running up the water bill and destroying the lawn with sprinklers and Slip \'N\' Slides before school takes \'em back in. </div><div><br /></div><div>Plus, kiddos learn a life skill that\'s just not taught at school these days - a life skill that has benefits for you as the kid\'s caregiver, since after a class at Sage, there will never be a reason why you can\'t come straight home from work and prop your feet up as you command your three-year-old to whip you up an Italian masterpiece for supper.</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sj_m3LqgXvI/AAAAAAAABVM/IvChBFdVCCE/s400/3312653534_aa08ca8315-1.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350248718037704434\" /><div><br /></div><div>I can\'t wait. </div></div></div>','Beware the Food Critic','','publish','open','open','','beware-food-critic','','','2009-06-22 19:47:00','2009-06-22 19:47:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=203',0,'post','',7),(205,1,'2009-06-24 16:17:00','2009-06-24 16:17:00','<span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; \"><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">We all know the phrase, \"Don\'t hate me because I\'m beautiful.\"</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">That goes double if I paid $6 for my hair cut.</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">We\'ve all lost 30 percent or more of our retirement accounts. Gasoline prices are on the uptick, ready to stick it to our summer vacation and back-to-school budgets. Job security in Tulsa isn\'t as bad as it could be, but no T-Towner can deny that the more-or-less 7 percent jobless rate is on his mind as he puts on his extra-fancy pants to head to the office each day.</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">Even so, we still want to be pampered. Thanks to local cosmetology colleges--there are nearly 100 in this land where the wind goes sweepin\' down the plains--it\'s possible to get the latest beauty treatments without tapping the cash value of our life insurance policies.</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">Read the rest of this story in </span></span><a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A27379\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">Consumer Watchdog in Urban Tulsa Weekly</span></span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">.</span></span></p></span>','Happy Pamper','','publish','open','open','','happy-pamper','','','2009-06-24 16:17:00','2009-06-24 16:17:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=205',0,'post','',0),(206,1,'2009-06-25 02:15:00','2009-06-25 02:15:00','<div style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-style: italic; \">Thanks to <a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Archive?searchPhrase=holly+wall&amp;\">Tulsa arts guru Holly Wall</a> for the awesome post that\'s about the befall us all. Bring it on, Holly!</span></div><p style=\"margin-bottom: 0in\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkLcO8YBnHI/AAAAAAAABW8/usmTiJWkj6U/s400/DSC05603.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351081456552746098\" /></p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 0in\">Mmmm… beer.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 0in\">Know what’s better than a cold beer on a hot summer evening? <a href=\"http://tulsa.drillers.milb.com/promotions/index.jsp?sid=t260\">A cold beer you got for a buck at a Drillers game on Thirsty Thursday</a>.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 0in\">Yes, sports fans, baseball season has arrived.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 0in\">Let me preempt this by saying that I am not a sports fan. I’m one of those artsy fartsy types, remember, and therefore inclined to loathe any display of athletic competition.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 0in\">But, of all the sports I dislike, baseball is probably the one I dislike the least. I spent a couple of years living in central Missouri, paying my way through college by slinging beer at sports bars. And in central Missouri in the summer, life pretty much revolves around beer and Cardinals baseball, forcing me to watch a game nearly every time one was on. Eventually, I sort of began to like them.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 0in\">When I moved back to Tulsa and rediscovered the Drillers, I began to love them.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 0in\"><br /></p><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkLb0hKjJHI/AAAAAAAABW0/d03ifLS4Y1E/s400/DSC05604.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351081002571867250\" /><p style=\"margin-bottom: 0in\">For the past four years, I’ve spent nearly every Thursday evening during the season at a Drillers game. <a href=\"http://urbantulsa.com\">Urban Tulsa Weekly</a> has some pretty decent season passes for us writers, but I don’t think I’ve ever sat in a bad seat in the stadium, even without the UTW freebies. And whether the boys win or lose, they’re always fun to watch. Even more fun is watching the people seated around me, sweating their ever-lovin’ hinies off but loving it anyway.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 0in\"><br /></p><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkLbhIAIJZI/AAAAAAAABWs/U9yJTuO73kI/s400/DSC05606.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351080669399754130\" /><p style=\"margin-bottom: 0in\">Last Thursday I took my son to his first Drillers ball game. The Drillers played a double header against the Springfield Cardinals, farm team for the St. Louis version.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 0in\">Honestly, I couldn’t tell you the outcome of either game. Watching baseball (doing anything, really) is much more difficult when you’ve got a rambunctious toddler to keep in check, and every time I tried to watch a bit of the game, my kid would pull Sam’s hair, dump Fritos onto the bleachers and then attempt to eat them off of the ground, bite me or try to drink my beer.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 0in\"><br /></p><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkLbPMI9TYI/AAAAAAAABWk/3qG-jAnl394/s400/Drillers4.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351080361272888706\" /> <p style=\"margin-bottom: 0in\">Regardless of how much of the game I saw (or didn’t see), I had a great time, proving that the experience of being in the stands, cheering the players on (even though, for the most part, I had no idea why I was cheering), is just as important as who wins or loses.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 0in\">On Thursdays, fans get their choice of 12 ounces of Miller Lite, Choc beer or soda for just a dollar. Or, if you’re not the beer-drinkin’ type, head out on another night, like Friday, when a fireworks display follows the game, or Monday night, when female fans get spa-style pampering. There’s some kind of promotion happening at every home game, so go to www.tulsadrillers.com for a full schedule.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 0in\"><br /></p> <img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkLYug3XnyI/AAAAAAAABWc/f_Dw-cjwmNU/s400/Drillers8.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351077600877322018\" /><p style=\"margin-bottom: 0in\">Hey, folks, it\'s Tasha again. I just want to say that there\'s no easier way to stay connected to the Drillers (other than by reading this blog, of course) than by <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tulsa-OK/Tulsa-Drillers-Baseball/66062971114?ref=ts\">following them on Facebook</a> and <a href=\"http://twitter.com/TulsaDrillers\">Twitter</a>. Be sure to check out Facebook Fridays and Twitter Tuesdays during July. Help the Drillers reach 1,200 Twitter followers by July 14, and all followers get free tickets to all three Tuesday games in July. Word.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 0in\">See y\'all at Driller\'s Stadium, (for now) at Tulsa County Fairgrounds at 15th and Yale. </p>','You, Too, Can Do Thirsty Thursday','','publish','open','open','','you-too-can-do-thirsty-thursday','','','2009-06-25 02:15:00','2009-06-25 02:15:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=206',0,'post','',0),(207,1,'2009-06-25 22:35:00','2009-06-25 22:35:00','<div style=\"text-align: left;\">You\'ll be talking backwards and forwards, too, when you get done at <a href=\"http://www.wildbrew.org/index.html\">Wild Brew 2009, Tulsa\'s own \"crawl-in-one\" microbrew beer tasting event</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 341px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkQEDX2QiDI/AAAAAAAABXE/heHaTkU2z0I/s400/Picture+8.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351406713210701874\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>T-Town\'s kick-ass brew-slurping festival - we\'re talking more than 80 brews from around the world here, y\'all, including <a href=\"http://marshallbrewing.com/index.asp\">Tulsa\'s own Marshall Brewing Company</a> - will be Saturday, Aug. 1, at <a href=\"http://www.exposquare.com/es/facilities/centralparkhall.asp\">Central Park Hall at Expo Square</a>. The event will kick off at 5, with a patron-only hour, which I hear is more than worth the extra $50, starting at 4. </div><div><br /></div><div>What\'s all that beer without some food and music? WB has got you covered. Look to groove with the likes of Mid-Life Crisis Band and nosh on anything from <a href=\"http://www.albertgs.com/\">barbeque from Albert G.\'s</a> to <a href=\"http://www.intherawsushi.com/\">sushi from In the Raw</a>.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>WB is the annual fundraiser for the <a href=\"http://www.wildbrew.org/sutton.html\">Sutton Avian Research Center</a>. All proceeds help to support conservation, education and research for endangered, rare and neglected species of birds and their habitats. Tickets are $50 and are available at <a href=\"http://www.wildbrew.org/tickets.html\">the Wild Brew Web site</a>. <span class=\"Apple-tab-span\" style=\"white-space:pre\"> </span></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"white-space: pre;\"><br /></span></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"white-space: pre;\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkQFke4lAPI/AAAAAAAABXM/1c-2IMv6yNA/s400/Picture+9.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351408381546791154\" /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Mark those calendars, folks, and go ahead and grab a few tickets to this event. That early-bird pricing is only good through July 24. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href=\"http://www.wildbrew.org/beer.html\">Partial list of Wild Brew 2009 Brews</a></div><div><a href=\"http://www.wildbrew.org/restaurants.html\">Complete list of Wild Brew 2009 Participating Restaurants</a></div><div><a href=\"http://www.wildbrew.org/sutton.html\">Learn more about the Sutton Avian Research Center</a></div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: small;\">Photos from Wild Brew committee and Web site.</span></i> </div></div>','Wild Brew, Brew Wild','','publish','open','open','','wild-brew-brew-wild','','','2009-06-25 22:35:00','2009-06-25 22:35:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=207',0,'post','',0),(2022,1,'2010-09-13 14:49:34','2010-09-13 19:49:34','','Greek Holiday 2009','','inherit','open','open','','dsc07146','','','2010-09-13 14:49:34','2010-09-13 19:49:34','',2011,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07146.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2023,1,'2010-09-13 14:49:37','2010-09-13 19:49:37','','Greek Holiday 2009','','inherit','open','open','','dsc07147','','','2010-09-13 14:49:37','2010-09-13 19:49:37','',2011,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07147.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2024,1,'2010-09-13 14:49:40','2010-09-13 19:49:40','','Greek Holiday 2009','','inherit','open','open','','dsc07151','','','2010-09-13 14:49:40','2010-09-13 19:49:40','',2011,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07151.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2025,1,'2010-09-13 14:49:43','2010-09-13 19:49:43','','Greek Holiday 2009','','inherit','open','open','','dsc07152','','','2010-09-13 14:49:43','2010-09-13 19:49:43','',2011,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07152.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2026,1,'2010-09-12 23:04:12','2010-09-13 04:04:12','\r\n\r\nGreek Holiday, Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food and tours of the beautiful Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to Tulsa since 1960, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->Yeah, the kids have gone back to school and football season has started. But fall never really seems at hand until I see the blue and white tent at 15th and Guthrie. \r\n\r\nMore years that I\'ve been alive than not, my family hasn\'t missed Greek Holiday. I even went the year I was three months pregnant and so nauseated by the faintest of smells that I could feel the top of my stomach in my knees. \r\n\r\nBut I would have given my life for a gyro. Such is the paradox of pregnancy. \r\n\r\nLast year was our son\'s third trip, really, since he spent his first Greek Holiday in utero, and it was the first time he ever knew the distinct pleasure of a drippy, crispy, super-sweet slice of baklava made by Tulsa\'s own Greek yayas and thias. \r\n\r\nHe might have had a few cookies, too. \r\n\r\nBut he had nothing on what was piled on our plates. Gyros. Greek souvlaki (shish kabob). Spanakopita. Kalamari. And a box full of treats from the festival bakery. \r\n\r\nWhich included, of course, that dreamy baklava. The baklava that you just can\'t get at a grocery store. The kind of baklava that could come only straight from the kitchen of a Greek woman. \r\n\r\nSome things are sacred. This baklava is one of them. \r\n\r\nWhile food is my favorite part of practically any festival, there\'s much more to Greek Holiday than just the eats. Greek Holiday is home to some of the most beautiful dancing you\'ll see in Tulsa all year, thanks to dozens of authentically costumed dance groups. All told, about 80 people are involved in this aspect of the festival, and they range in age from about 4 years old to 80. \r\n\r\nAs I mentioned before, yes, I love the food on offer at Greek holiday. But the real best part about this festival to me? That\'s it\'s a family endeavor. Now that it\'s reached its 50th year, multiple generations of the families of this parish have been involved in this festival. As you make your way down the a la carte line, you might be served your rice pilaf by a yaya and your stuffed grape leaves by her granddaughter. Entire families are involved in the ethnic dances you\'ll see throughout the festival, comprised of moms and dads and kids and uncles and grandparents and great-grandparents. \r\n\r\nThis festival has, to put it lightly, some serious roots. \r\n\r\nIt\'s easy to be part of this historic edition among historic editions of Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival. Admission is just $3, and you have three whole days to make room in your schedule to spend a few hours exploring this event. \r\n\r\nWhat\'d make you Greek Holiday-going life even easier is this giveaway package, courtesy of the organizers of the festival: \r\n\r\nDinner tickets for 4 (includes beverage and free admission)\r\n\r\nTwo festival t-shirts\r\n\r\n50th Anniversary Edition of our parish cookbook, Cooking Greek for Tulsa\r\n\r\nBox of assorted pastries to include baklava, finikia and kourambiethes\r\n\r\nGreek Holiday\r\nWhen: Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday, 11am-10pm; Saturday, 11am-10pm\r\nWhere: 1206 S. Guthrie Ave. (two blocks west of 11th Street and Denver Ave.; if you\'re taking the Broken Arrow Expressway, take the Houston exit)\r\nWeb: \r\n\r\n','Greek Holiday: Welcoming Fall with a Tulsa Tradition (Plus, a giveaway)','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-2','','','2010-09-12 23:04:12','2010-09-13 04:04:12','',2011,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/2011-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2027,1,'2010-09-13 14:56:25','2010-09-13 19:56:25','<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2022\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-2022\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07146-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2022\" /></a>\r\n\r\nGreek Holiday, Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food and tours of the beautiful Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to Tulsa since 1960, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night. \r\n\r\n<!--more-->Yeah, the kids have gone back to school and football season has started. But fall never really seems at hand until I see the blue and white tent at 15th and Guthrie. \r\n\r\nMore years that I\'ve been alive than not, my family hasn\'t missed Greek Holiday. I even went the year I was three months pregnant and so nauseated by the faintest of smells that I could feel the top of my stomach in my knees. \r\n\r\nBut I would have given my life for a gyro. Such is the paradox of pregnancy. \r\n\r\nLast year was our son\'s third trip, really, since he spent his first Greek Holiday in utero, and it was the first time he ever knew the distinct pleasure of a drippy, crispy, super-sweet slice of baklava made by Tulsa\'s own Greek yayas and thias. \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2023\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-2023\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07147.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2023\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHe might have had a few cookies, too. \r\n\r\nBut he had nothing on what was piled on our plates. Gyros. Greek souvlaki (shish kabob). Spanakopita. Kalamari. And a box full of treats from the festival bakery. \r\n\r\nWhich included, of course, that dreamy baklava. The baklava that you just can\'t get at a grocery store. The kind of baklava that could come only straight from the kitchen of a Greek woman. \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2024\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-2024\"><img src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07151-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2024\" /></a>\r\n\r\nSome things are sacred. This baklava is one of them. \r\n\r\nWhile food is my favorite part of practically any festival, there\'s much more to Greek Holiday than just the eats. Greek Holiday is home to some of the most beautiful dancing you\'ll see in Tulsa all year, thanks to dozens of authentically costumed dance groups. All told, about 80 people are involved in this aspect of the festival, and they range in age from about 4 years old to 80. \r\n\r\nAs I mentioned before, yes, I love the food on offer at Greek holiday. But the real best part about this festival to me? That\'s it\'s a family endeavor. Now that it\'s reached its 50th year, multiple generations of the families of this parish have been involved in this festival. As you make your way down the a la carte line, you might be served your rice pilaf by a yaya and your stuffed grape leaves by her granddaughter. Entire families are involved in the ethnic dances you\'ll see throughout the festival, comprised of moms and dads and kids and uncles and grandparents and great-grandparents. \r\n\r\nThis festival has, to put it lightly, some serious roots. \r\n\r\nIt\'s easy to be part of this historic edition among historic editions of Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival. Admission is just $3, and you have three whole days to make room in your schedule to spend a few hours exploring this event. \r\n\r\nWhat\'d make you Greek Holiday-going life even easier is this giveaway package, courtesy of the organizers of the festival: \r\n\r\nDinner tickets for 4 (includes beverage and free admission)\r\n\r\nTwo festival t-shirts\r\n\r\n50th Anniversary Edition of our parish cookbook, Cooking Greek for Tulsa\r\n\r\nBox of assorted pastries to include baklava, finikia and kourambiethes\r\n\r\nGreek Holiday\r\nWhen: Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday, 11am-10pm; Saturday, 11am-10pm\r\nWhere: 1206 S. Guthrie Ave. (two blocks west of 11th Street and Denver Ave.; if you\'re taking the Broken Arrow Expressway, take the Houston exit)\r\nWeb: \r\n\r\n','Greek Holiday: Welcoming Fall with a Tulsa Tradition (Plus, a giveaway)','Greek Holiday, Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food and tours of the beautiful Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to Tulsa since 1960, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night. ','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-3','','','2010-09-13 14:56:25','2010-09-13 19:56:25','',2011,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/2011-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2028,1,'2010-09-13 15:40:31','2010-09-13 20:40:31','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2022\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2022\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2022\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07146-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://tulsagreekfestival.com/\">Greek Holiday</a>, Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food, shopping and tours of the beautiful <a href=\"http://holytrinity.ok.goarch.org/\">Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church</a> to Tulsa since 1961, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night.\n\n<!--more-->Yeah, the kids have gone back to school and football season has started. But fall never really seems at hand until I see the blue and white tent at 12th and Guthrie, just outside of the IDL in downtown Tulsa.\n\nMore years that I\'ve been alive than not, my family hasn\'t missed Greek Holiday. I even went the year I was three months pregnant and so nauseated by the faintest of smells that I could feel the top of my stomach in my knees.\n\nBut I would have given my life for a gyro. Such is the paradox of pregnancy.\n\nLast year was our son\'s third trip, really, since he spent his first Greek Holiday in utero, and it was the first time he ever knew the distinct pleasure of a drippy, crispy, super-sweet slice of baklava made by Tulsa\'s own Greek yayas and theas (Greek for grandmothers and aunts, famous for their skills in the kitchen).\n\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2023\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2023\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2023\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07147.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\n\nKiddo might have had a few Kourambiethes (almond-flavored butter cookies sprinkled with powdered sugar), too.\n\nBut he had nothing on what was piled on the adults\' plates: Gyros. Greek souvlaki (shish kabob). An appetizer plate heavy with spanakopita. Calamari.\n\nThat\'s four out of the nine items available on the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday, and where I come from, that\'s no average to sneeze at.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/menu.html\">Click here for the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday 2010 and info about Taverna</a>.\n\nWe also had a box full of treats from the festival bakery. Which included, of course, that dreamy baklava.\n\nThe baklava that you just can\'t get at a grocery store. The kind of baklava that could come only straight from the kitchen of a wise, knowing, feisty Greek woman.\n\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2024\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2024\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2024\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07151-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\n\nSome things are sacred. This baklava is one of them.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/bakery.html\">Click here for more info on what\'s available in the bakery at Greek Holiday</a>.\n\nWhile food is my favorite part of practically any festival, there\'s much more to Greek Holiday than just the eats. Greek Holiday is home to some of the most exciting dance performances you\'ll see in Tulsa all year, thanks to its several authentically costumed dance groups. All told, about 80 people are involved in this aspect of the festival, and they range in age from about 4 years old to 80.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance_schedule.html\">Click here for the schedule of dance groups performing at Greek Holiday</a> or <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance.html\">here for more about the stories behind the songs and costumes</a>.\n\nThere\'s also a Greek market, Marketa. For sale is anything your little heart could desire from the birthplace of Western civilization, from olive oil and Kalamata olives to stunning, hand-crafted jewelry to the 50th anniversary cookbook of the Holy Trinity parish, <em>Cooking Greek in Tulsa</em>.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/marketa.html\">Click here for more about Marketa and the imported merchandise that\'ll be available at Greek Holiday</a>.\n\nGreek Holiday is also a chance to learn about the Greek Orthodox religion and to find out more about the culture and traditions of the people in the church. Anyone who wanders through Holy Trinity during the festival is welcome to free tours.\n\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2025\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2025\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2025\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07152.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\n\nAs I mentioned before, yes, I look forward all year to the food on offer at Greek Holiday. But my real favorite part of this festival? That\'s it\'s about family.\n\nNow that it\'s reached its 50th year, multiple generations of the families of this parish have been involved in this festival. As you make your way down the a la carte line, you might be served your gyros and Greek-style potatoes by a grandmother and your Greek salad by her granddaughter. Entire families are involved in the ethnic dances, too, from moms and dads and kids and uncles to grandparents and great-grandparents.\n\nThis festival has, to put it lightly, some serious roots in this city.\n\nIt\'s easy to be part of this historic edition among historic editions of Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival. Admission is just $3, and that\'s only during the evenings and on Saturday. Before 4pm Thursday and Friday, there\'s no admission fee at all. And did I mention that all kids accompanied by an adult get in free?\n\nIt\'s true. They do.\n\nPlus, you have three whole days to make room in your schedule to spend a few hours exploring this event.\n\nLife can be even easier, though. <strong>You could win a gift basket full of Greek Holiday goodies right here at TDT.</strong>\n\nThe basket contains:\n<ul>\n	<li>Dinner tickets for 4 (which includes beverage and free admission to the festival)</li>\n	<li>Two 2010 festival t-shirts</li>\n	<li>50th anniversary edition of the parish cookbook, <em>Cooking Greek for Tulsa</em></li>\n	<li>A box of assorted pastries, including baklava, finikia and kourambiethes (!!!)</li>\n</ul>\nAll you have to do for your chance to win this basket-o-heaven is <strong>head to the comments section on this post and tell me your favorite Greek food</strong>.\n\nPretty easy, right? I thought so, too.\n\n<strong>You have until tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 14) at 3pm to enter</strong>. I\'ll let <a href=\"http://www.Random.org\">Random.org</a> pick a winner later that afternoon, and I\'ll tack it all on right here as an update to this post.\n\nGood luck, everybody! And you know that I can\'t help but end this post with a big, hearty...\n\nOpa!\n\n<strong>Greek Holiday</strong>\nWhen: Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday, 11am-10pm; Saturday, 11am-10pm\nWhere: 1206 S. Guthrie Ave. (two blocks west of 11th Street and Denver Ave.; if you\'re taking the Broken Arrow Expressway, take the Houston exit)\nWeb: <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/\">TulsaGreekFestival.com</a>','Greek Holiday: Welcoming Fall with a Tulsa Tradition (Plus, a giveaway)','Greek Holiday, Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food and tours of the beautiful Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to Tulsa since 1960, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night. ','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-4','','','2010-09-13 15:40:31','2010-09-13 20:40:31','',2011,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/2011-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(209,1,'2009-06-28 14:58:00','2009-06-28 14:58:00','<img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352456645774653202\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Ske-9fcTtxI/AAAAAAAABXk/XKpK6UyUZjE/s400/DSC05682.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\r\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\">Anyone who reads this blog knows that <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/01/winds-they-are-changin.html\">I\'m absolutely crazy about the bacon cheeseburger pizza at Joe Momma\'s downtown</a>.</div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div>Just about everyone I\'ve described it to who hasn\'t been to Joe Momma\'s to try it themselves has cringed when I listed the ingredients: Lots of beef, tons of cheese, bacon, pickles, onions and mustard. We\'re talking a bacon cheeseburger taking on the pizza form. The geniuses at Joe Momma\'s has performed a perfect crossover. I\'m wearing at least three 16-inch bacon cheeseburger pizzas on my thighs right now, and I don\'t even mind that much. In fact, I\'m kinda proud.</div>\r\n<img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352457568455068466\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Ske_zMsdizI/AAAAAAAABXs/skv8MpO6F6Q/s400/DSC_0018-1.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\r\n<div>The T-Town area boasts several great indie pizza places (<a href=\"http://www.brotherspizzadepot.com/\">Brother\'s Pizza</a>, <a href=\"http://www.hideawaypizza.com/\">The Hideaway</a>, <a href=\"http://www.pieholepizzeria.com/\">Pie Hole</a>, Umberto\'s and <a href=\"http://www.savastanospizzeria.com/\">Savastano\'s</a> come to mind), but only one is smack dab in the middle of the new restaurant row forming in the Blue Dome District, and only one hosts not only a trivia night every Thursday, but also a karaoke night every Tuesday. On a huge, elevated stage. It\'ll make you feel like a star, man, a star.</div>\r\n<img id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352456023359254562\" style=\"cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Ske-ZQw6cCI/AAAAAAAABXc/1gB2OhqYC-0/s400/DSC05687.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" />\r\n<div>In fact, there\'s something hip and fun and exciting happening at Joe Momma\'s every single night of the week. Even on Sundays you can get 10 percent off your bill if you bring that morning\'s church bulletin along. Check <a href=\"http://joemommas.com/\">the Joe Momma\'s Web page</a> for a complete list of weekly events. While you\'re at it, <a href=\"http://joemommas.com/index.php/newsletter\">sign up for the Joe Momma\'s newsletter</a>. Not only is it packed with news from the hippest kids from the hippest part of town, it also usually features a 100-percent non-lame coupon. Last time it was for a free order of Mamma\'s Bread, which is enough cheese <span style=\"font-family: georgia;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">and bread to stop up two </span></span><span style=\"font-family: georgia;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Kamakawiwo\'ole\">Israel Kamakawiwo Ole\'s</a> for five and a half weeks, so it was a heckuva deal. </span></span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This week, I can do y\'all one even better. <strong>I have a $25 gift certificate - handmade by Joe Momma\'s owner Blake Ewing himself - for one imaginative TDT reader</strong>. </span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Here\'s how to snag it: <strong>Impress me with your personal pizza creation</strong>. Tell me toppings, tell me sauce, tell me crust, tell me all. Wow me with your palate, yes, but also grab my attention with your creativity and zany mind. Come up with a pizza that doesn\'t force me to suppress my yawn reflex, and I\'ll hand over the Mamma\'s bucks. </span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I\'ll keep this contest running until Monday (June 29) night at 9 p.m.; enter as many times as you wish. </strong></span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Bring it on, TDT readers, bring it on.</span>\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\">\r\n</span></div>\r\n</div>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/58/1419200/restaurant/Blue-Dome-District/Joe-Mommas-Tulsa\"><img style=\"border: none; height: 146px; width: 200px;\" src=\"http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1419200/biglink.gif\" alt=\"Joe Momma\'s on Urbanspoon\" /></a>','Not Your Mother\'s Pizza','','publish','open','open','','not-your-mothers-pizza','','','2010-08-15 22:16:31','2010-08-16 03:16:31','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=209',0,'post','',19),(211,1,'2009-06-30 18:51:00','2009-06-30 18:51:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkppUJGtvTI/AAAAAAAABYc/2AAj4uYPlp0/s1600-h/DSC05673.jpg\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkppUJGtvTI/AAAAAAAABYc/2AAj4uYPlp0/s400/DSC05673.jpg\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353206901845638450\" border=\"0\" /></a><br />Thanks to my ever-giving and long-suffering readers and <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/06/not-your-mothers-pizza.html\">my brilliant idea to get them to cough up the substance of their heaving, pizza-laden minds</a><a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/06/not-your-mothers-pizza.html\"> for absolutely no compensation whatever</a>, my top-secret recipe file is now 18 pizzas thicker. <div><br /></div><div>Eighteen pizzas...eighteen thicker pizzas...eighteen top-secret, thicker pizzas...mmm.<div><br /></div><div>You all are a creative bunch, let me tell you. I love that people with adventurous, untamed palates read this blog. I also love that more than a few of you don\'t mind a little (or a lot) of the ol\' BBQ sauce on your pies. We\'re just keepin\' it real, aren\'t we, little Okies? </div><div><br /></div><div>In throwing myself into the painstaking, tummy-gnawing process of reading the entries and choosing the winner, I had to make a few rules post hoc. First, if I could come up with a marketing handle used by a major pizza chain for a given recipe, it was out - e.g., Sicilian, Four Meat, Greek, etc. I\'m sure doing this wiped out some seriously delicious pies, but I emphasized creativity in my call for entries, so that\'s what had to take precedence here. </div><div><br /></div><div>Second, if it was so creative that I couldn\'t imagine actually eating it, the recipe was out - e.g., fish eye pizza, sundry-and-stinky-sock pizza, baby food medley pizza. Not that anyone came up with entries as zany as those, but I couldn\'t very well expose the people who brought the true-to-life crazy without making a few enemies, right?</div><div><br /></div><div>Third, I had to pay some attention to execution. A few of you had some ideas for flavor profiles that really made my mouth water, but when you wrote about how you\'d actually put the ingredients together, I got turned off. There are some basic rules for pizza construction, in my opinion (on the conservative side though it is), and all creativity and originality has to happen within those bounds. </div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, enough pontificating. The Joe Momma\'s bucks go to: </div><div><br /></div><div><a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/06/not-your-mothers-pizza.html\">Kelly Cook and her Chicken Tikka Masala pizza</a>!<br /><br /><blockquote>How about chicken tikka masala pizza? Garlic naan crust (Indian flatbread), slightly spicy tomato cream sauce, topped with shredded tandoori chicken, fried basil leaves and paneer (Indian cheese). I may have to whip one of those up myself!</blockquote><br /><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"></span>First, anyone who utters \"Chicken Tikka Masala\" has my full and complete attention. My second thought was, \"Nah, it\'d just be too weird.\" But then, Kelly brought the idea home with the garlic naan bread crust, fried basil leaves and paneer cheese. Lord have mercy oh my Krishna Joe Momma, that made me hungry.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kelly, <a href=\"mailto:%20tashadoestulsa@gmail.com\">e-mail me</a> to claim your prize. You\'d better hurry, or I might eat your Joe Momma\'s bucks in a fit of wanting and desire for my first true love - no, not the sweaty high school football player I met when I was 15, but rather, the pizza pie. </div><div><br /></div><div>Did you know the whole reason the sweaty high school football player and I even started dating was because we worked at the same pizza place? True story. The pizza love, it runs deep. </div><div><br /></div></div>','Pizza Love','','publish','open','open','','pizza-love','','','2009-06-30 18:51:00','2009-06-30 18:51:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=211',0,'post','',1),(212,1,'2009-07-01 16:55:00','2009-07-01 16:55:00','<span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; \"><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">Remember how grandma washed her aluminum foil, laying it out to dry so she could use it to store the next evening\'s supper? And her box of string, buttons and other scraps, things she just couldn\'t--or wouldn\'t--throw away?</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">Maybe she refused to buy new things when hers busted, choosing instead to make do without. Or, she\'d concoct some homespun repair job that made her avocado-green dishwasher look more like a science project gone horribly awry than a well-maintained, lovingly used home appliance.</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">We all made fun of grandma, and her thriftiness may have seemed extreme. But, you know, she just might have been onto something.</span></span></p><p><a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A27439\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">Read the rest of this story on the cover of this week\'s Urban Tulsa Weekly</span></span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">. </span></span></p></span>','D.I.Y. Nation','','publish','open','open','','diy-nation','','','2009-07-01 16:55:00','2009-07-01 16:55:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=212',0,'post','',0),(213,1,'2009-07-01 16:57:00','2009-07-01 16:57:00','<span class=\"Apple-style-span\"   style=\"  ;font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13px;\"><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\">The weather is warming, and so is the pavement. Why spend the summer days ahead stuck in traffic running the A/C full blast when the reliable two-piston engine--the bicycle--and Tulsa\'s 50-plus-mile trail system beckons throughout the city?</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\">Maybe one vital piece of that whole hitting-the-trails equation is missing: The wheels. Problem is, new bikes cost a pretty penny, especially at the local specialty shops. In this town, it\'s difficult to get into a quality, new bike for less than $250--roughly, the cost of 50 gallons of gas at the peak of last year\'s summertime surge in oil prices.</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\">This type of hit to the wallet isn\'t all bad. For that kind of money, a buyer gets top-notch machinery with which to hit the trails, saving money on bike repairs, auto wear and tear, gasoline, time and, potentially, health insurance.</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\">Read the rest of this story in Consumer Watchdog in </span></span><a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A27433\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\">this week\'s Urban Tulsa Weekly</span></span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\">. </span></span></p></span>','Hot Wheels','','publish','open','open','','hot-wheels','','','2009-07-01 16:57:00','2009-07-01 16:57:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=213',0,'post','',0),(214,1,'2009-07-01 22:21:00','2009-07-01 22:21:00','<div>Because I live to make you all feel better about yourselves as parents. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkviGRM3LWI/AAAAAAAABZE/AV8OqdVYoLg/s1600-h/DSC05787.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkviGRM3LWI/AAAAAAAABZE/AV8OqdVYoLg/s400/DSC05787.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353621179384409442\" /></a><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkviAbuzlvI/AAAAAAAABY8/aMTy_DbqvdA/s1600-h/DSC05781.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkviAbuzlvI/AAAAAAAABY8/aMTy_DbqvdA/s400/DSC05781.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353621079131920114\" /></a><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Skvh43Vb0nI/AAAAAAAABY0/hSJ2UCWmq-8/s1600-h/DSC05788.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Skvh43Vb0nI/AAAAAAAABY0/hSJ2UCWmq-8/s400/DSC05788.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353620949102744178\" /></a><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkvhzDZjhQI/AAAAAAAABYs/1hAYy_bMY-k/s1600-h/DSC05789.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkvhzDZjhQI/AAAAAAAABYs/1hAYy_bMY-k/s400/DSC05789.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353620849262036226\" /></a><br />You\'re welcome.','Shout Out to the \'Rents','','publish','open','open','','shout-out-to-rents','','','2009-07-01 22:21:00','2009-07-01 22:21:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=214',0,'post','',4),(216,1,'2009-07-04 16:40:00','2009-07-04 16:40:00','<img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 525px; height: 351px;\" src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3644855924_a0f0e5bf07_o.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /><br />Part of why I love holidays is because I get some time to catch up on my blog reading. I subscribe to so many blogs, but there\'s just so little time, so I get pretty behind. <div><br /></div><div>I figured that while I do my reading, I might as well pass along the little jewels and treasures I find during my roaming of the local blogosphere. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href=\"http://www.918couponqueenblog.com/2009/07/arbys-free-roastburger-for-fourth-of.html\">Free Roastburger from Arby\'s today</a>! Your part is just to order the fries. While you\'re at it, <a href=\"http://www.918couponqueenblog.com/2009/06/saving-money-at-quiktrip.html\">check out a few ways to save some skill at QuikTrip</a>. No way to celebrate Independence Day like celebrating our right to free stuff. Thanks to <a href=\"http://www.918couponqueenblog.com/\">Sarah Roe, the 918 Coupon Queen</a>, for all she does to bring us bargain hunters our daily coupon fix. And, <a href=\"http://www.918couponqueenblog.com/2009/06/expired-coupons.html\">don\'t forget to remember our bargain hunting soldiers\' families this Fourth of July</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have you all had a chance to check out the new(ish) blog, <a href=\"http://77counties.blogspot.com/\">77 Counties</a>? <a href=\"http://twitter.com/okbeatnik\">@okbeatnik</a> has been putting some wear on his tires with his mission to document his travels to every county in the state of Oklahoma. <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandle/sets/72157618990064857/\">The photos are absolutely gorgeous</a> (see above), and I enjoy the writing a lot, too. Do check it out, and be sure to follow <a href=\"http://twitter.com/okbeatnik\">@okbeatnik</a> and <a href=\"http://twitter.com/77counties\">@77counties</a> on Twitter. </div><div><br /></div><div>Been salivating over the living options available in downtown Tulsa these days? <a href=\"http://andsosheblogs.com/?p=1097\">Here\'s a chance for you to completely empty your salivary glands</a>, thanks to Carrisa over at And So She Blogs. Thanks again to <a href=\"http://tulsaarchitecture.com/\">Tulsa Foundation for Architecture</a> for putting on such a fantasy-inducing event.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href=\"http://www.batesline.com/archives/2009/07/happy-independence-day.html\">Give thanks this Fourth of July with (and for) Michael Bates at Batesline.com</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href=\"http://krmg.com/inside/staff_joe_kelley.html\">Joe Kelley, the uber-acclaimed-yet-still-totally-nice-guy host of KRMG Morning News</a>, takes us into the bowels of the North Carolina sewer system (pun totally intended). Why? <a href=\"http://krmg.com/blogs/the_krmg_morning_news_blog/2009/07/video-what-in-the-world-is-thi.html\">So we could catch a glimpse of this</a>. What the h-e-double hockey sticks IS that?! If anyone knows, please contact some scientists. <a href=\"feed://krmg.com/blogs_rss/the_krmg_morning_news_blog_rss/rss.xml\">Don\'t forget to subscribe to Joe\'s blog</a> - it\'s informative and random and just plain good reading. <a href=\"http://krmg.com/blogs/the_krmg_morning_news_blog/2009/07/things-to-do-this-weekend-in-t-2.html\">He even lets me be part of it every week</a>, which is more fun than a barrel of monkeys. </div><div><br /></div><div>Support your independent coffee shop. <a href=\"http://www.doubleshotcoffee.com/blog/\">Head to DoubleShot Coffee Company, 18th and Boston, today until 3 p.m.</a> for the best cup of java in town. It\'s the best in my opinion, anyway, and definitely <a href=\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/doubleshotcoffee/aacafe\">Brian\'s, the mouthy DoubleShot owner</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href=\"http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectid=371&amp;articleid=20090629_371_0_Mnaonn6630\">Remember that one time when downtown Tulsa was turned into a movie set</a>? <a href=\"http://greyeyedesigns.blogspot.com/2009/06/extra-extra.html\">Brigid over at Grey Eye Designs didn\'t just see the action, she was part of it</a>. Check out that get-up. And, the hair. Her gorgeous, amazing hair. Brigid is one of the most beautiful people I\'ve ever seen in person, and I just know she\'ll light up the silver screen and catch the attention of some star hunter somewhere and hightail it outta this town and be forced to set up housekeeping in L.A. Good thing she\'s a nice girl and will talk us T-towners up on the Tonight Show and whatnot.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oops. That\'s all the blog reading I have time for today, folks. To be continued, I hope - I just hate to get too far behind on stalking my blogger friends. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href=\"http://77counties.blogspot.com/\">Photo from @okbeatnik\'s new blog project, 77 Counties</a>.</div>','Stalking','','publish','open','open','','blogging-around','','','2009-07-04 16:40:00','2009-07-04 16:40:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=216',0,'post','',3),(217,1,'2009-07-06 12:44:00','2009-07-06 12:44:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3319904075_58f2823ca6.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 500px;\" src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3319904075_58f2823ca6.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a><br /><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"   style=\"  border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 17px; font-family:tahoma, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13px;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\">Tulsa’s service industry is about to become even more attractive to coastal dwellers pouring in, thanks to the efforts of Sustainable Tulsa and its Eat Local: Bite of Tulsa event.</span></span><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\">This third-annual showcase, the community-oriented incarnation of Sustainable Tulsa’s swanky local foods dinner, is meant to bring the farm closer to the Tulsa table via food purveyors that have hopped on the eat-local bandwagon.</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\">“We want to demystify eating locally,” said Corey Wren Williams, executive director of Sustainable Tulsa.</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\">The event, slated for the evening of July 9 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., will be at Greenwood Cultural Center, 322 N. Greenwood Ave.</span></span></p><p><a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/industry_article.asp?cID=i&amp;aID=32712402.7004206.640783.2988049.33760402.677&amp;aID2=49282\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\">Read the rest of this story on the Food page in this week\'s edition of Tulsa Business Journal</span></span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-size:medium;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\">.</span></span></p></span>','Eat Local Event to Connect Growers, Consumers','','publish','open','open','','eat-local-event-to-connect-growers','','','2009-07-06 12:44:00','2009-07-06 12:44:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=217',0,'post','',0),(218,1,'2009-07-06 13:09:00','2009-07-06 13:09:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SlH52DRj_QI/AAAAAAAABaQ/1uJ4u43qzc0/s1600-h/DSC05793.jpg\"><br /></a><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SlH52DRj_QI/AAAAAAAABaQ/1uJ4u43qzc0/s400/DSC05793.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355336138907450626\" />I\'m always telling people to skip the picnic at Woodward Park, at 21st and Peoria. It is, after all and in my estimation, the No. 1 suggested thing to do in this city. I\'m not big on doing anything that\'s often suggested, mostly because I wish I could be a rebel or something neat like that. <div><br /></div><div>In this case, though, I made an exception. <div><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SlH5ovGWmEI/AAAAAAAABaI/DCnHazJRQJE/s1600-h/DSC05797.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SlH5ovGWmEI/AAAAAAAABaI/DCnHazJRQJE/s400/DSC05797.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355335910153427010\" /></a>Hubby\'s birthday hit us over the weekend, and we celebrated with two picnics - <a href=\"http://tulsazoo.org\">one luring and then shooing away and luring again the geese at the Tulsa Zoo</a> and one <a href=\"http://www.webersoftulsa.com/\">chasing squirrels and yuppie dogs with Weber\'s fries and root beer</a> at Woodward Park. </div><div><br /></div><div>Well, we would have chased them with root beer. Problem was, we didn\'t think to bring a bottle opener. An age old problem, a new generation. </div><div><br /></div><div>There are great views to be had at Woodward Park, even when you\'re knocked flat on your back by Weber\'s trademark deliciosity:</div><div><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SlH5PReJBXI/AAAAAAAABaA/CA9Y0rsN4dI/s1600-h/DSC05803.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SlH5PReJBXI/AAAAAAAABaA/CA9Y0rsN4dI/s400/DSC05803.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355335472703407474\" /></a>See? Purdy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Deliciosity is a word, I swear. <a href=\"http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=deliciosity\">Look it up</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>And the view to the right:</div><div><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SlH5EmERQII/AAAAAAAABZ4/mK7tRQwYmG0/s1600-h/DSC05805.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SlH5EmERQII/AAAAAAAABZ4/mK7tRQwYmG0/s400/DSC05805.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355335289253478530\" /></a><br /></div><div>And away he goes. Cute little baby heinie as far as the eye can see.</div><div><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SlH49uBqY2I/AAAAAAAABZw/eBnTtUJsuK8/s1600-h/DSC05808.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 322px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SlH49uBqY2I/AAAAAAAABZw/eBnTtUJsuK8/s400/DSC05808.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355335171130942306\" /></a><br /></div><div>He\'s always doing this: Running away from us, his safe haven, in search of adventure and, namely, doggies.</div><div><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SlH4slng2xI/AAAAAAAABZo/wKAd17XYMog/s1600-h/DSC05814.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SlH4slng2xI/AAAAAAAABZo/wKAd17XYMog/s400/DSC05814.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355334876816005906\" /></a><br /></div><div>Good thing the birthday boy was handy to round up our young. I was way too full from stacking <a href=\"http://webersrootbeer.net/low_fat_burger.html\">the Weber\'s 21st Century Low-Fat Burger</a> on top of most of a large order of fries to move.</div><div><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SlH4W_PHydI/AAAAAAAABZg/oFIyyxVvy4c/s1600-h/DSC05825.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SlH4W_PHydI/AAAAAAAABZg/oFIyyxVvy4c/s400/DSC05825.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355334505735899602\" /></a><br /></div><div>Ah, the men in my life. Always handsome, usually lost in thought, rarely content to just sit around and while away the day.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love my boys.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hold on. I\'m about to receive a gift. </div><div><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SlH3xuje91I/AAAAAAAABZY/kuY3jbs4l84/s1600-h/DSC05830.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SlH3xuje91I/AAAAAAAABZY/kuY3jbs4l84/s400/DSC05830.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355333865602742098\" /></a>My very own broken branch from Woodward Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma! Just what I never knew I\'d always wanted. Thanks, kiddo.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hope everyone had as glorious a weekend as we did. Happy Monday.</div></div>','Picnicking','','publish','open','open','','picnicking','','','2009-07-06 13:09:00','2009-07-06 13:09:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=218',0,'post','',2),(220,1,'2009-07-08 02:00:00','2009-07-08 02:00:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkofRy_9CQI/AAAAAAAABYU/ITkB1GxAEBc/s1600-h/DSC05560.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkofRy_9CQI/AAAAAAAABYU/ITkB1GxAEBc/s400/DSC05560.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353125497691506946\" /></a>Kids at home for the summer about to drive you nutso? Here\'s a solution that\'s way more interactive than day care, cheaper than summer camp and more fun than summer school: <a href=\"http://www.tulsacc.edu/page.asp?durki=1889\">College for Kids at Tulsa Community College</a>, a nationally recognized program right here in T-Town.<br /><div><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkofEWenQRI/AAAAAAAABYM/JJQssy9Ze20/s1600-h/DSC05562.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkofEWenQRI/AAAAAAAABYM/JJQssy9Ze20/s400/DSC05562.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353125266697175314\" /></a><br /></div><div>We\'re solidly into July now, but that doesn\'t mean it\'s too late to sign up. Each class, varying in length from 1.5-3 hours each day, is a week long, with new classes starting as the previous week\'s classes end. By the end of the summer TCC will have hosted about 200 College for Kids classes ranging from rocket science to video game design to blogging, so there are lots of choices, too. </div><div><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Skoe7lt6c6I/AAAAAAAABYE/I45A-Qq0Jk0/s1600-h/DSC05558.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Skoe7lt6c6I/AAAAAAAABYE/I45A-Qq0Jk0/s400/DSC05558.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353125116169057186\" /></a>Marquetta Finley, director of continuing education in academic, family and youth enrichment at TCC, invited me a few weeks ago to sit in on a class focused on teaching math to kids through cooking. </div><div><br /></div><div>This class couldn\'t have been more up my alley. I\'ve always been a bit of a math geek, and we all know how much I love to cook and eat and simply exist in the presence of food. I wished I could have stayed the entire week. </div><div><br /></div><div>I might have had a problem blending in, though.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkoeV3uiQdI/AAAAAAAABX8/wlZhqafyMsc/s1600-h/DSC05565.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkoeV3uiQdI/AAAAAAAABX8/wlZhqafyMsc/s400/DSC05565.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353124468168475090\" /></a><br />These girls and boys (boys! In a cooking class! Oh, yeah!) are learning about volumes and measurement conversations from teaspoons to tablespoons to cups and pints and, well, you get the picture. The kids worked in groups, filling out worksheets along the way. Before long, they were covered in flour and, undeterred, on to the next project. </div><div><br /></div><div>I loved how the kids got to learn two life skills in one sitting. I know too many kids who can barely pour a bowl of cereal, let alone whip up a batch of pancakes for Mom on Sunday morning. And as we\'ve been told over and over during the past couple of decades, math education in this country is well behind that in others. Any way to get a little extra learnin\' in, especially if it\'s tied to real-life situations and is thus validated as a useful subject in indignant minds, is a good thing, especially at a rate of as little as $6 per day. </div><div><br /></div><div>Plenty of kids are taking advantage of the program - about 900 - and enrollment stands at 3,400, meaning plenty of kids are having too much fun to enroll in just one class. The courses start at $30 (just try to find someone to watch <i>and</i> enrich your kids for a few hours a day for a week at that price, y\'all) and go up, depending on the child\'s age and course level, i.e., the rocket science course would, understandably, cost a smidge more than the blogging class. </div><div><br /></div><div>The TCC Web site is <a href=\"http://www.tulsacc.edu/page.asp?durki=5316\">the best place to get a course listing</a> and to get signed up. If you prefer to pick up the phone, dial 918.595.7566 to enroll. </div><div><br /></div><div>Happy learning, kiddos! Don\'t forget to invite me to the mini rocket launches; I always love a good rocket launch. </div>','Cool Summer School','','publish','open','open','','cool-summer-school','','','2009-07-08 02:00:00','2009-07-08 02:00:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=220',0,'post','',1),(221,1,'2009-07-08 15:33:00','2009-07-08 15:33:00','<span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; \"><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">Cash can\'t buy love (at least, that\'s what they try to tell us), so why try? After all, just because you\'re short on skrill doesn\'t mean you can\'t be long on love.</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">Thanks to our low cost of living, you\'d have to earn 28 percent more in L.A. (52 percent more in Boston) to afford the lifestyle we all enjoy right here. Entertainment comes relatively cheap here in T-town. That\'s a good thing for your personal life, because we all know dating isn\'t the most inexpensive thing to do these days. We all do it (yes, even we marrieds, and hopefully only with our spouses), but not all of us manage to keep the resulting bills from Visa and Mastercard at bay.</span></span></p><p><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">Next time the bank calls on date night, give one of the outings listed below a shot. These plans are low-cost, high-excitement, and I know this because I\'ve been on these dates myself. According to my experience (because I wouldn\'t tell you to do something I haven\'t done myself, not even for a good laugh), the flavor of the week won\'t guess that he or she is the subject of a budget date. It\'s hard to notice such things when you\'re having an absolute blast.</span></span></p><p><a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A27481\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">Read the rest of this story in Consumer Watchdog in this week\'s Urban Tulsa Weekly</span></span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"font-family:georgia;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">.</span></span></p></span>','Cheap Date','','publish','open','open','','cheap-date','','','2009-07-08 15:33:00','2009-07-08 15:33:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=221',0,'post','',3),(2031,1,'2010-09-13 15:41:44','2010-09-13 20:41:44','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2022\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2022\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2022\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07146-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://tulsagreekfestival.com/\">Greek Holiday</a>, the Tulsa festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food, shopping and tours of the beautiful <a href=\"http://holytrinity.ok.goarch.org/\">Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church</a> to Tulsa since 1961, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->Yeah, the kids have gone back to school and football season has started. But fall never really seems at hand until I see the blue and white tent at 12th and Guthrie, just outside of the IDL in downtown Tulsa.\r\n\r\nMore years that I\'ve been alive than not, my family hasn\'t missed Greek Holiday. I even went the year I was three months pregnant and so nauseated by the faintest of smells that I could feel the top of my stomach in my knees.\r\n\r\nBut I would have given my life for a gyro. Such is the paradox of pregnancy.\r\n\r\nLast year was our son\'s third trip, really, since he spent his first Greek Holiday in utero, and it was the first time he ever knew the distinct pleasure of a drippy, crispy, super-sweet slice of baklava made by Tulsa\'s own Greek yayas and theas (Greek for grandmothers and aunts, famous for their skills in the kitchen).\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2023\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2023\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2023\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07147.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nKiddo might have had a few Kourambiethes (almond-flavored butter cookies sprinkled with powdered sugar), too.\r\n\r\nBut he had nothing on what was piled on the adults\' plates: Gyros. Greek souvlaki (shish kabob). An appetizer plate heavy with spanakopita. Calamari.\r\n\r\nThat\'s four out of the nine items available on the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday, and where I come from, that\'s no average to sneeze at.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/menu.html\">Click here for the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday 2010 and info about Taverna</a>.\r\n\r\nWe also had a box full of treats from the festival bakery. Which included, of course, that dreamy baklava.\r\n\r\nThe baklava that you just can\'t get at a grocery store. The kind of baklava that could come only straight from the kitchen of a wise, knowing, feisty Greek woman.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2024\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2024\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2024\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07151-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nSome things are sacred. This baklava is one of them.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/bakery.html\">Click here for more info on what\'s available in the bakery at Greek Holiday</a>.\r\n\r\nWhile food is my favorite part of practically any festival, there\'s much more to Greek Holiday than just the eats. Greek Holiday is home to some of the most exciting dance performances you\'ll see in Tulsa all year, thanks to its several authentically costumed dance groups. All told, about 80 people are involved in this aspect of the festival, and they range in age from about 4 years old to 80.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance_schedule.html\">Click here for the schedule of dance groups performing at Greek Holiday</a> or <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance.html\">here for more about the stories behind the songs and costumes</a>.\r\n\r\nThere\'s also a Greek market, Marketa. For sale is anything your little heart could desire from the birthplace of Western civilization, from olive oil and Kalamata olives to stunning, hand-crafted jewelry to the 50th anniversary cookbook of the Holy Trinity parish, <em>Cooking Greek in Tulsa</em>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/marketa.html\">Click here for more about Marketa and the imported merchandise that\'ll be available at Greek Holiday</a>.\r\n\r\nGreek Holiday is also a chance to learn about the Greek Orthodox religion and to find out more about the culture and traditions of the people in the church. Anyone who wanders through Holy Trinity during the festival is welcome to free tours.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2025\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2025\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2025\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07152.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAs I mentioned before, yes, I look forward all year to the food on offer at Greek Holiday. But my real favorite part of this festival? That\'s it\'s about family.\r\n\r\nNow that it\'s reached its 50th year, multiple generations of the families of this parish have been involved in this festival. As you make your way down the a la carte line, you might be served your gyros and Greek-style potatoes by a grandmother and your Greek salad by her granddaughter. Entire families are involved in the ethnic dances, too, from moms and dads and kids and uncles to grandparents and great-grandparents.\r\n\r\nThis festival has, to put it lightly, some serious roots in this city.\r\n\r\nIt\'s easy to be part of this historic edition among historic editions of Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival. Admission is just $3, and that\'s only during the evenings and on Saturday. Before 4pm Thursday and Friday, there\'s no admission fee at all. And did I mention that all kids accompanied by an adult get in free?\r\n\r\nIt\'s true. They do.\r\n\r\nPlus, you have three whole days to make room in your schedule to spend a few hours exploring this event.\r\n\r\nLife can be even easier, though. <strong>You could win a gift basket full of Greek Holiday goodies right here at TDT.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe basket contains:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Dinner tickets for 4 (which includes beverage and free admission to the festival)</li>\r\n	<li>Two 2010 festival t-shirts</li>\r\n	<li>50th anniversary edition of the parish cookbook, <em>Cooking Greek for Tulsa</em></li>\r\n	<li>A box of assorted pastries, including baklava, finikia and kourambiethes (!!!)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAll you have to do for your chance to win this basket-o-heaven is <strong>head to the comments section on this post and tell me your favorite Greek food</strong>.\r\n\r\nPretty easy, right? I thought so, too.\r\n\r\n<strong>You have until tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 14) at 3pm to enter</strong>. I\'ll let <a href=\"http://www.Random.org\">Random.org</a> pick a winner later that afternoon, and I\'ll tack it all on right here as an update to this post.\r\n\r\nGood luck, everybody! And you know that I can\'t help but end this post with a big, hearty...\r\n\r\nOpa!\r\n\r\n<strong>Greek Holiday</strong>\r\nWhen: Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday, 11am-10pm; Saturday, 11am-10pm\r\nWhere: 1206 S. Guthrie Ave. (two blocks west of 11th Street and Denver Ave.; if you\'re taking the Broken Arrow Expressway, take the Houston exit)\r\nWeb: <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/\">TulsaGreekFestival.com</a>','Greek Holiday: Welcoming Fall with a Tulsa Tradition (Plus, a giveaway)','Greek Holiday, Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food and tours of the beautiful Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to Tulsa since 1960, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night. ','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-7','','','2010-09-13 15:41:44','2010-09-13 20:41:44','',2011,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/2011-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(223,1,'2009-07-15 13:43:00','2009-07-15 13:43:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sl3dtW7bi2I/AAAAAAAABao/5whXeJ_lQYk/s1600-h/fagantv.jpg\"><img style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sl3dtW7bi2I/AAAAAAAABao/5whXeJ_lQYk/s400/fagantv.jpg\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358682902959459170\" border=\"0\" /></a><br />Of all the crazy and backward things I\'ve done to conserve skrill, there\'s one that, 100 percent of the time, gets either a gasp, a look of shock or one of these: \"Wha?!\"<br /><br />I have no cable television service. I haven\'t had it since before I was married, five years ago.<br /><br />I always feel like I have to explain why not. It\'s a strange feeling to be motivated to do that, mostly because I still haven\'t managed to come up with a plausible explanation for why I\'m not participating in this country\'s most cherished medium of communication.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A27549\">Read the rest of this story in Consumer Watchdog in this week\'s Urban Tulsa Weekly</a>.','Boob Tube Bliss','','publish','open','open','','boob-tube-bliss','','','2009-07-15 13:43:00','2009-07-15 13:43:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=223',0,'post','',6),(224,1,'2009-07-15 18:47:00','2009-07-15 18:47:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SXtT9oAQhII/AAAAAAAAAj0/jKITrJKBtiA/s400/DSC01893-1.JPG\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SXtT9oAQhII/AAAAAAAAAj0/jKITrJKBtiA/s400/DSC01893-1.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a><br />Let’s play a game. Which sounds more appetizing: A peach sprayed with pesticides and picked hard and green in an industrial orchard in California, processed and packed at a sprawling, faceless, corporate farm and trucked a couple thousand miles to your local grocery store...<br /><br />Or, a peach picked ripe at a farm in a city you could, despite the geography courses at your public school, pinpoint on a map, delivered to your farmers’ market totally free of chemicals, long-distance travel damage and other modes of interference and sold to you by a friendly guy in a hat who reminds you of your grandfather?<br /><br />Wait. There wasn’t really a choice presented there, was there? It’s one of those “duh” decisions. Who in this day and age doesn’t want unmitigated, fresh fruit grown by people they know? After multiple food safety scares, documentaries extolling the nutritional merits of fresh-picked produce and all those blurbs on TV about how we should all be reducing our carbon footprint, demand for food grown within a stone’s throw from home is on the rise.<br /><br />Read the rest of this story in <a href=\"http://urbantulsa.com/\">this week\'s edition of Urban Tulsa Weekly</a>.','From the Ground Up','','publish','open','open','','from-ground-up','','','2009-07-15 18:47:00','2009-07-15 18:47:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=224',0,'post','',0),(2033,1,'2010-09-13 15:41:48','2010-09-13 20:41:48','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2022\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2022\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2022\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07146-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://tulsagreekfestival.com/\">Greek Holiday</a>, the Tulsa festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food, shopping and tours of the beautiful <a href=\"http://holytrinity.ok.goarch.org/\">Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church</a> to Tulsa since 1961, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->Yeah, the kids have gone back to school and football season has started. But fall never really seems at hand until I see the blue and white tent at 12th and Guthrie, just outside of the IDL in downtown Tulsa.\r\n\r\nMore years that I\'ve been alive than not, my family hasn\'t missed Greek Holiday. I even went the year I was three months pregnant and so nauseated by the faintest of smells that I could feel the top of my stomach in my knees.\r\n\r\nBut I would have given my life for a gyro. Such is the paradox of pregnancy.\r\n\r\nLast year was our son\'s third trip, really, since he spent his first Greek Holiday in utero, and it was the first time he ever knew the distinct pleasure of a drippy, crispy, super-sweet slice of baklava made by Tulsa\'s own Greek yayas and theas (Greek for grandmothers and aunts, famous for their skills in the kitchen).\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2023\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2023\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2023\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07147.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nKiddo might have had a few Kourambiethes (almond-flavored butter cookies sprinkled with powdered sugar), too.\r\n\r\nBut he had nothing on what was piled on the adults\' plates: Gyros. Greek souvlaki (shish kabob). An appetizer plate heavy with spanakopita. Calamari.\r\n\r\nThat\'s four out of the nine items available on the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday, and where I come from, that\'s no average to sneeze at.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/menu.html\">Click here for the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday 2010 and info about Taverna</a>.\r\n\r\nWe also had a box full of treats from the festival bakery. Which included, of course, that dreamy baklava.\r\n\r\nThe baklava that you just can\'t get at a grocery store. The kind of baklava that could come only straight from the kitchen of a wise, knowing, feisty Greek woman.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2024\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2024\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2024\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07151-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nSome things are sacred. This baklava is one of them.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/bakery.html\">Click here for more info on what\'s available in the bakery at Greek Holiday</a>.\r\n\r\nWhile food is my favorite part of practically any festival, there\'s much more to Greek Holiday than just the eats. Greek Holiday is home to some of the most exciting dance performances you\'ll see in Tulsa all year, thanks to its several authentically costumed dance groups. All told, about 80 people are involved in this aspect of the festival, and they range in age from about 4 years old to 80.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance_schedule.html\">Click here for the schedule of dance groups performing at Greek Holiday</a> or <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance.html\">here for more about the stories behind the songs and costumes</a>.\r\n\r\nThere\'s also a Greek market, Marketa. For sale is anything your little heart could desire from the birthplace of Western civilization, from olive oil and Kalamata olives to stunning, hand-crafted jewelry to the 50th anniversary cookbook of the Holy Trinity parish, <em>Cooking Greek in Tulsa</em>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/marketa.html\">Click here for more about Marketa and the imported merchandise that\'ll be available at Greek Holiday</a>.\r\n\r\nGreek Holiday is also a chance to learn about the Greek Orthodox religion and to find out more about the culture and traditions of the people in the church. Anyone who wanders through Holy Trinity during the festival is welcome to free tours.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2025\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2025\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2025\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07152.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAs I mentioned before, yes, I look forward all year to the food on offer at Greek Holiday. But my real favorite part of this festival? That\'s it\'s about family.\r\n\r\nNow that it\'s reached its 50th year, multiple generations of the families of this parish have been involved in this festival. As you make your way down the a la carte line, you might be served your gyros and Greek-style potatoes by a grandmother and your Greek salad by her granddaughter. Entire families are involved in the ethnic dances, too, from moms and dads and kids and uncles to grandparents and great-grandparents.\r\n\r\nThis festival has, to put it lightly, some serious roots in this city.\r\n\r\nIt\'s easy to be part of this historic edition among historic editions of Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival. Admission is just $3, and that\'s only during the evenings and on Saturday. Before 4pm Thursday and Friday, there\'s no admission fee at all. And did I mention that all kids accompanied by an adult get in free?\r\n\r\nIt\'s true. They do.\r\n\r\nPlus, you have three whole days to make room in your schedule to spend a few hours exploring this event.\r\n\r\nLife can be even easier, though. <strong>You could win a gift basket full of Greek Holiday goodies right here at TDT.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe basket contains:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Dinner tickets for 4 (which includes beverage and free admission to the festival)</li>\r\n	<li>Two 2010 festival t-shirts</li>\r\n	<li>50th anniversary edition of the parish cookbook, <em>Cooking Greek for Tulsa</em></li>\r\n	<li>A box of assorted pastries, including baklava, finikia and kourambiethes (!!!)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAll you have to do for your chance to win this basket-o-heaven is <strong>head to the comments section on this post and tell me your favorite Greek food</strong>.\r\n\r\nPretty easy, right? I thought so, too.\r\n\r\n<strong>You have until tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 14) at 3pm to enter</strong>. I\'ll let <a href=\"http://www.Random.org\">Random.org</a> pick a winner later that afternoon, and I\'ll tack it all on right here as an update to this post.\r\n\r\nGood luck, everybody! And you know that I can\'t help but end this post with a big, hearty...\r\n\r\nOpa!\r\n\r\n<strong>Greek Holiday</strong>\r\nWhen: Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday, 11am-10pm; Saturday, 11am-10pm\r\nWhere: 1206 S. Guthrie Ave. (two blocks west of 11th Street and Denver Ave.; if you\'re taking the Broken Arrow Expressway, take the Houston exit)\r\nWeb: <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/\">TulsaGreekFestival.com</a>','Greek Holiday: Welcoming Fall with a Tulsa Tradition (Plus, a giveaway)','Greek Holiday, Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food and tours of the beautiful Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to Tulsa since 1960, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night. ','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-9','','','2010-09-13 15:41:48','2010-09-13 20:41:48','',2011,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/2011-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(2034,1,'2010-09-13 15:41:49','2010-09-13 20:41:49','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2022\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2022\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2022\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07146-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://tulsagreekfestival.com/\">Greek Holiday</a>, the Tulsa festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food, shopping and tours of the beautiful <a href=\"http://holytrinity.ok.goarch.org/\">Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church</a> to Tulsa since 1961, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->Yeah, the kids have gone back to school and football season has started. But fall never really seems at hand until I see the blue and white tent at 12th and Guthrie, just outside of the IDL in downtown Tulsa.\r\n\r\nMore years that I\'ve been alive than not, my family hasn\'t missed Greek Holiday. I even went the year I was three months pregnant and so nauseated by the faintest of smells that I could feel the top of my stomach in my knees.\r\n\r\nBut I would have given my life for a gyro. Such is the paradox of pregnancy.\r\n\r\nLast year was our son\'s third trip, really, since he spent his first Greek Holiday in utero, and it was the first time he ever knew the distinct pleasure of a drippy, crispy, super-sweet slice of baklava made by Tulsa\'s own Greek yayas and theas (Greek for grandmothers and aunts, famous for their skills in the kitchen).\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2023\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2023\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2023\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07147.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nKiddo might have had a few Kourambiethes (almond-flavored butter cookies sprinkled with powdered sugar), too.\r\n\r\nBut he had nothing on what was piled on the adults\' plates: Gyros. Greek souvlaki (shish kabob). An appetizer plate heavy with spanakopita. Calamari.\r\n\r\nThat\'s four out of the nine items available on the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday, and where I come from, that\'s no average to sneeze at.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/menu.html\">Click here for the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday 2010 and info about Taverna</a>.\r\n\r\nWe also had a box full of treats from the festival bakery. Which included, of course, that dreamy baklava.\r\n\r\nThe baklava that you just can\'t get at a grocery store. The kind of baklava that could come only straight from the kitchen of a wise, knowing, feisty Greek woman.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2024\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2024\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2024\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07151-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nSome things are sacred. This baklava is one of them.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/bakery.html\">Click here for more info on what\'s available in the bakery at Greek Holiday</a>.\r\n\r\nWhile food is my favorite part of practically any festival, there\'s much more to Greek Holiday than just the eats. Greek Holiday is home to some of the most exciting dance performances you\'ll see in Tulsa all year, thanks to its several authentically costumed dance groups. All told, about 80 people are involved in this aspect of the festival, and they range in age from about 4 years old to 80.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance_schedule.html\">Click here for the schedule of dance groups performing at Greek Holiday</a> or <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance.html\">here for more about the stories behind the songs and costumes</a>.\r\n\r\nThere\'s also a Greek market, Marketa. For sale is anything your little heart could desire from the birthplace of Western civilization, from olive oil and Kalamata olives to stunning, hand-crafted jewelry to the 50th anniversary cookbook of the Holy Trinity parish, <em>Cooking Greek in Tulsa</em>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/marketa.html\">Click here for more about Marketa and the imported merchandise that\'ll be available at Greek Holiday</a>.\r\n\r\nGreek Holiday is also a chance to learn about the Greek Orthodox religion and to find out more about the culture and traditions of the people in the church. Anyone who wanders through Holy Trinity during the festival is welcome to free tours.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2025\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2025\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2025\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07152.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAs I mentioned before, yes, I look forward all year to the food on offer at Greek Holiday. But my real favorite part of this festival? That\'s it\'s about family.\r\n\r\nNow that it\'s reached its 50th year, multiple generations of the families of this parish have been involved in this festival. As you make your way down the a la carte line, you might be served your gyros and Greek-style potatoes by a grandmother and your Greek salad by her granddaughter. Entire families are involved in the ethnic dances, too, from moms and dads and kids and uncles to grandparents and great-grandparents.\r\n\r\nThis festival has, to put it lightly, some serious roots in this city.\r\n\r\nIt\'s easy to be part of this historic edition among historic editions of Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival. Admission is just $3, and that\'s only during the evenings and on Saturday. Before 4pm Thursday and Friday, there\'s no admission fee at all. And did I mention that all kids accompanied by an adult get in free?\r\n\r\nIt\'s true. They do.\r\n\r\nPlus, you have three whole days to make room in your schedule to spend a few hours exploring this event.\r\n\r\nLife can be even easier, though. <strong>You could win a gift basket full of Greek Holiday goodies right here at TDT.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe basket contains:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Dinner tickets for 4 (which includes beverage and free admission to the festival)</li>\r\n	<li>Two 2010 festival t-shirts</li>\r\n	<li>50th anniversary edition of the parish cookbook, <em>Cooking Greek for Tulsa</em></li>\r\n	<li>A box of assorted pastries, including baklava, finikia and kourambiethes (!!!)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAll you have to do for your chance to win this basket-o-heaven is <strong>head to the comments section on this post and tell me your favorite Greek food</strong>.\r\n\r\nPretty easy, right? I thought so, too.\r\n\r\n<strong>You have until tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 14) at 3pm to enter</strong>. I\'ll let <a href=\"http://www.Random.org\">Random.org</a> pick a winner later that afternoon, and I\'ll tack it all on right here as an update to this post.\r\n\r\nGood luck, everybody! And you know that I can\'t help but end this post with a big, hearty...\r\n\r\nOpa!\r\n\r\n<strong>Greek Holiday</strong>\r\nWhen: Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday, 11am-10pm; Saturday, 11am-10pm\r\nWhere: 1206 S. Guthrie Ave. (two blocks west of 11th Street and Denver Ave.; if you\'re taking the Broken Arrow Expressway, take the Houston exit)\r\nWeb: <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/\">TulsaGreekFestival.com</a>','Greek Holiday: Welcoming Fall with a Tulsa Tradition (Plus, a giveaway)','Greek Holiday, Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food and tours of the beautiful Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to Tulsa since 1960, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night. ','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-10','','','2010-09-13 15:41:49','2010-09-13 20:41:49','',2011,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/2011-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(226,1,'2009-07-22 04:30:00','2009-07-22 04:30:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SmaTJG1j_EI/AAAAAAAABbw/fvouW4rgqFU/s400/DSC06036.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361134191094529090\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">A story that began with the coercions of my buddy and <a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Archive?searchPhrase=holly+wall&amp;\">Urban Tulsa Weekly arts writer Holly Wall</a> has ended in a tragic picture of addiction.</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div>The woman from now on known to me as Wallrus took my kid and I to <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/05/something-to-do-at-sunset-tonight.html\">the 41st Street Plaza at RiverParks</a> for lunch Monday afternoon, where she was nice enough to buy us a sno cone to share.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>At least, I thought she was being nice. Now I see she\'s part of a top-secret underground troupe to convert us all into shaved-ice-and-syrup-slurping idiots.</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SmaUurAC24I/AAAAAAAABb4/Xht30pmXiOc/s400/Holly.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361135935968959362\" /><div><br /></div><div>Conniving punk.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>After partaking of her ingenious combination of Tiger\'s Blood (if you were a kid during the \'90s, you know the strawberry/coconut flavor combination I\'m talking about) and mango flavors and falling in love with the slushy sweetness that is sno cone all over again, I knew I had to try a cone from this spot in southtown that had caught my eye.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>All four times I\'d driven through the 91st and Memorial intersection within the past few years (just because I work on the border of south Tulsa doesn\'t mean I have to actually <i>go</i> there) I noticed a huge line - we\'re talking 30-40 Okies deep - sprouting from this little white-and-blue sno cone shack called Josh\'s.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SmaSjRTTJaI/AAAAAAAABbo/vNRHhCBLVZg/s400/DSC06012.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361133541068580258\" /><div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SmaSOF1shzI/AAAAAAAABbY/vnC7kwQEnZQ/s400/DSC06014.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361133177214371634\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>I know, right? In the words of <a href=\"http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=7460575\">one of my all-time favorite Tulsa media icons, \"Hey - What\'s the deal?\"</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Since I\'d always been of the camp that proclaimed <a href=\"http://braums.com/\">hot fudge ice cream sundae from Braum\'s as the cool summer treat of champions</a>, I never thought twice about stopping long enough to stand in line and see what all the fuss was about.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>That was, until the night following my passionate reunion with the sno cone that was mildly inappropriate considering the setting (a children\'s park - think: the old Herbal Essences commercials). </div><div><br /></div><div>All three members of my little family and I used 20 minutes of our lives - 20 minutes we\'ll never, ever get back - to stand in line to order a couple of wacky, technicolor sno cones from Josh\'s.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>I mean, doesn\'t this kid look like he\'s in need of a sno cone?</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SmaRcTYXzaI/AAAAAAAABbQ/36osJQXPR_g/s400/DSC06023.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361132321856015778\" /><div><br /></div><div>In dire need, I\'d say. Anyone with a soul who sees this photo is bound to feel an ancient urge to throw sugary treats at it. I am human, too, I swear.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SmaQ3XtZZOI/AAAAAAAABbI/esgxMWouNWs/s400/DSC06027.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361131687362782434\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>Just look at that menu board. With that many flavor options, especially Tulsa-centric ones like <a href=\"http://www.oru.edu/\">Golden Eagle</a> and <a href=\"http://utulsa.edu/\">Blue Hurricane</a>, my imagination was in overdrive. I needed the entire 20 minutes just to figure out what the heck I was going to do with the power to purchase just two sno selections. </div><div><br /></div><div>Plus, I had a good time chatting with the preteens behind me in line about what exactly made the sno cones from this particular stand better than any others in town. </div><div><br /></div><div>\"The ice is, like, shaved better. It\'s finer, or something.\"</div><div>\"They have more flavors than anyone.\" </div><div>\"They have toppings. I always get gummi bears. They\'re 50 cents.\"</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>Pure gold, folks. Unmitigated preteen wisdom. </div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SmaQfR-5TpI/AAAAAAAABbA/0g4BlrQ1_FA/s400/DSC06032.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361131273508703890\" /><div><br /></div><div>Something else about which most preteens are wise: Social media. Josh apparently knows this. That\'s why he\'s not only on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/joshssnoshack\">Facebook</a>, but also <a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/joshssnoshack\">Myspace</a> and <a href=\"http://twitter.com/JoshsSnoShack\">Twitter</a>. </div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>Oh, Twitter. <a href=\"http://twitter.com/tashadoestulsa\">How I love thee</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>As for that 20 minutes that was sucked into the black abyss of time I\'ve spent during this life waiting in lines? </div><div><br /></div><div>Refreshingly, icily, crunchily, sweetly, good-enough-that-you-wanna-watch-Nicktoons worth it.</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SmaQEymecjI/AAAAAAAABa4/pjNfzElVhVk/s400/DSC06037.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361130818408182322\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>...even if half my Crunch cone (doused with cranberry and fruit punch syrups) will never know the satisfaction of being the object of my satisfaction. </div><div><br /></div><div>I\'m sorry, but it\'s all about me. It\'s the addict\'s mindset. </div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>Come to find out, Josh\'s is indie. It all started in 2005 at 71st and Garnett when some early-twenty-something kid thought it be a good idea to open a sno cone stand. Two summers ago, another shack popped up at 91st and Memorial. The lines outside the two shacks have been growing ever since.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>As someone who couldn\'t more officially be in her mid-twenties, I was the second-oldest person in the 30-deep line at Josh\'s. I felt matronly. I mean, my shorts came down to my knees, and my paper-white calves illuminated the bare, pigmented, cellulite-free upper thighs of all the other girls. Also, I\'m pretty sure I was the only one in line without braces.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>No matter. No amount of girlish giggling or compulsions to buy a minivan or hyper-awareness of my newly minted mom butt could keep me away from that which is Josh\'s Sno Shack.</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SmaOuEuWhII/AAAAAAAABaw/g94DnbIk3sE/s400/DSC06035.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361129328624436354\" /><div><br /></div><div>Hey, Josh? Where have you been all my life?</div></div>','My Newest Find','','publish','open','open','','my-newest-find','','','2009-07-22 04:30:00','2009-07-22 04:30:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=226',0,'post','',8),(227,1,'2009-07-22 14:06:00','2009-07-22 14:06:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs113.snc1/4830_91143384731_763204731_1828355_5552085_n.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 604px; height: 453px;\" src=\"http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs113.snc1/4830_91143384731_763204731_1828355_5552085_n.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a><br />The wind and rain of springtime in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has come to an abrupt and steamy end. The humidity of the air has surged--the air has more water content than the human body most days--and the sun isn\'t holding back, taking temps up to 100-plus degrees.<br /><br />This can only mean one thing. It\'s time to hit the golf course.<br /><br />Read the rest of the story <a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A27635\">in Consumer Watchdog in this week\'s edition of Urban Tulsa Weekly</a>.','Fore! Thoughts','','publish','open','open','','fore-thoughts','','','2009-07-22 14:06:00','2009-07-22 14:06:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=227',0,'post','',0),(2037,1,'2010-09-13 15:42:18','2010-09-13 20:42:18','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2022\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2022\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2022\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07146-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://tulsagreekfestival.com/\">Greek Holiday</a>, the festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food, shopping and tours of the beautiful <a href=\"http://holytrinity.ok.goarch.org/\">Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church</a> to Tulsa since 1961, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->Yeah, the kids have gone back to school and football season has started. But fall never really seems at hand until I see the blue and white tent at 12th and Guthrie, just outside of the IDL in downtown Tulsa.\r\n\r\nMore years that I\'ve been alive than not, my family hasn\'t missed Greek Holiday. I even went the year I was three months pregnant and so nauseated by the faintest of smells that I could feel the top of my stomach in my knees.\r\n\r\nBut I would have given my life for a gyro. Such is the paradox of pregnancy.\r\n\r\nLast year was our son\'s third trip, really, since he spent his first Greek Holiday in utero, and it was the first time he ever knew the distinct pleasure of a drippy, crispy, super-sweet slice of baklava made by Tulsa\'s own Greek yayas and theas (Greek for grandmothers and aunts, famous for their skills in the kitchen).\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2023\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2023\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2023\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07147.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nKiddo might have had a few Kourambiethes (almond-flavored butter cookies sprinkled with powdered sugar), too.\r\n\r\nBut he had nothing on what was piled on the adults\' plates: Gyros. Greek souvlaki (shish kabob). An appetizer plate heavy with spanakopita. Calamari.\r\n\r\nThat\'s four out of the nine items available on the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday, and where I come from, that\'s no average to sneeze at.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/menu.html\">Click here for the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday 2010 and info about Taverna</a>.\r\n\r\nWe also had a box full of treats from the festival bakery. Which included, of course, that dreamy baklava.\r\n\r\nThe baklava that you just can\'t get at a grocery store. The kind of baklava that could come only straight from the kitchen of a wise, knowing, feisty Greek woman.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2024\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2024\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2024\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07151-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nSome things are sacred. This baklava is one of them.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/bakery.html\">Click here for more info on what\'s available in the bakery at Greek Holiday</a>.\r\n\r\nWhile food is my favorite part of practically any festival, there\'s much more to Greek Holiday than just the eats. Greek Holiday is home to some of the most exciting dance performances you\'ll see in Tulsa all year, thanks to its several authentically costumed dance groups. All told, about 80 people are involved in this aspect of the festival, and they range in age from about 4 years old to 80.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance_schedule.html\">Click here for the schedule of dance groups performing at Greek Holiday</a> or <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance.html\">here for more about the stories behind the songs and costumes</a>.\r\n\r\nThere\'s also a Greek market, Marketa. For sale is anything your little heart could desire from the birthplace of Western civilization, from olive oil and Kalamata olives to stunning, hand-crafted jewelry to the 50th anniversary cookbook of the Holy Trinity parish, <em>Cooking Greek in Tulsa</em>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/marketa.html\">Click here for more about Marketa and the imported merchandise that\'ll be available at Greek Holiday</a>.\r\n\r\nGreek Holiday is also a chance to learn about the Greek Orthodox religion and to find out more about the culture and traditions of the people in the church. Anyone who wanders through Holy Trinity during the festival is welcome to free tours.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2025\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2025\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2025\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07152.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAs I mentioned before, yes, I look forward all year to the food on offer at Greek Holiday. But my real favorite part of this festival? That\'s it\'s about family.\r\n\r\nNow that it\'s reached its 50th year, multiple generations of the families of this parish have been involved in this festival. As you make your way down the a la carte line, you might be served your gyros and Greek-style potatoes by a grandmother and your Greek salad by her granddaughter. Entire families are involved in the ethnic dances, too, from moms and dads and kids and uncles to grandparents and great-grandparents.\r\n\r\nThis festival has, to put it lightly, some serious roots in this city.\r\n\r\nIt\'s easy to be part of this historic edition among historic editions of Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival. Admission is just $3, and that\'s only during the evenings and on Saturday. Before 4pm Thursday and Friday, there\'s no admission fee at all. And did I mention that all kids accompanied by an adult get in free?\r\n\r\nIt\'s true. They do.\r\n\r\nPlus, you have three whole days to make room in your schedule to spend a few hours exploring this event.\r\n\r\nLife can be even easier, though. <strong>You could win a gift basket full of Greek Holiday goodies right here at TDT.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe basket contains:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Dinner tickets for 4 (which includes beverage and free admission to the festival)</li>\r\n	<li>Two 2010 festival t-shirts</li>\r\n	<li>50th anniversary edition of the parish cookbook, <em>Cooking Greek for Tulsa</em></li>\r\n	<li>A box of assorted pastries, including baklava, finikia and kourambiethes (!!!)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAll you have to do for your chance to win this basket-o-heaven is <strong>head to the comments section on this post and tell me your favorite Greek food</strong>.\r\n\r\nPretty easy, right? I thought so, too.\r\n\r\n<strong>You have until tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 14) at 3pm to enter</strong>. I\'ll let <a href=\"http://www.Random.org\">Random.org</a> pick a winner later that afternoon, and I\'ll tack it all on right here as an update to this post.\r\n\r\nGood luck, everybody! And you know that I can\'t help but end this post with a big, hearty...\r\n\r\nOpa!\r\n\r\n<strong>Greek Holiday</strong>\r\nWhen: Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday, 11am-10pm; Saturday, 11am-10pm\r\nWhere: 1206 S. Guthrie Ave. (two blocks west of 11th Street and Denver Ave.; if you\'re taking the Broken Arrow Expressway, take the Houston exit)\r\nWeb: <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/\">TulsaGreekFestival.com</a>','Greek Holiday: Welcoming Fall with a Tulsa Tradition (Plus, a giveaway)','Greek Holiday, Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food and tours of the beautiful Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to Tulsa since 1960, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night. ','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-13','','','2010-09-13 15:42:18','2010-09-13 20:42:18','',2011,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/2011-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(229,1,'2009-07-25 15:30:00','2009-07-25 15:30:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SmtLXMEpZRI/AAAAAAAABco/aApXHACs-18/s1600-h/Crowded.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SmtLXMEpZRI/AAAAAAAABco/aApXHACs-18/s400/Crowded.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362462643064497426\" /></a><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Archive?searchPhrase=holly+wall&amp;\">Arts writer extraordinaire Holly Wall</a> did <a href=\"http://www.dfest.com/\">downtown Tulsa biggest part of the year</a> last night, and she lived to tell the tale here at <a href=\"http://tashadoestulsa.com/\">TashaDoesTulsa.com</a>. Take it away, Holly.</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SmtLJc551II/AAAAAAAABcg/WRs__NO1WqU/s400/CheeseBalls.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362462407064671362\" /><div><br /></div><div>Holy tattooed rockstar, did I have fun last night.<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>Dfest’s opening night was a hit, and since I knew I only had one night to take in as much music as possible (motherhood means only having one free night per weekend), I made it my mission to see as many artists as I could.</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SmtK8rWl1WI/AAAAAAAABcY/7yI38MvP_fs/s400/SnoCone2.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362462187604792674\" /><div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div>My man friend and I kicked off the night with a gyro and a sno cone (a slight disappointment, actually. I was intrigued by the “wedding cake” flavor, which was pretty good and did actually taste like wedding cake, but the fact that the ice wasn’t even close to shaved but rather chunky and hard made my treat more of a wedding cake-flavored slushie) and a sighting of <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/07/what-to-do-in-tulsa-this-weekend_24.html\">the World Naked Bike Ride</a>, which consisted of <a href=\"http://www.cafepress.com/makelifesimple\">mayoral candidate Paul Tay</a> and a handful of other males (and one female, actually) riding their bicycles around Dfest in their underwear (the actual <a href=\"http://worldnakedbikeride.org/\">World Naked Bike Ride</a> was a few weeks ago - click that link at your own risk), and then moved into <a href=\"http://dfest.com/site/dfest/section/46\">the U.S. Cellular Triton Stage</a> for some music.<br /></div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SmtKsAluFkI/AAAAAAAABcQ/P7ynjxg0v50/s400/NakedPaulTay.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362461901247616578\" /><div><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Our evening began with <a href=\"http://dfest.com/profiles/47\">Dengue Fever, a California/Cambodia-based world pop band</a>, a sound unlike anything I’ve ever heard. We also peeked in on <a href=\"http://dfest.com/profiles/2\">local electronic/dance group Stevedore</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>From there, it was on to <a href=\"http://dfest.com/site/dfest/section/46\">Dirty’s Tavern’s Arvest Bank Stage</a>, where we enjoyed blues rock acts Jonathan Tyler &amp; The Northern Lights and Ian Moore.<br /><br /></div><div>After Ian, we caught the last song by Maggie McClure at <a href=\"http://dfest.com/site/dfest/section/46\">the Tulsa Performing Arts Center’s Liddy Doenges Theatre/Oklahoma Film and Music Stage</a>, followed by one song by Chris McCleod in the same theatre and then the last half of Ben Kilgore’s set in <a href=\"http://dfest.com/site/dfest/section/46\">the Williams Theatre/Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau Stage</a>.<br /></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>After that, we made our way to <a href=\"http://dfest.com/site/dfest/section/46\">the State Farm Poseidon Stage at Second and Elgin</a> for headliner <a href=\"http://dfest.com/profiles/34\">The Black Crowes</a> (can you say “awesome”?) and finished our evening at Dirty’s with <a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/taddyportermusic\">Stillwater-based rockers Taddy Porter</a>.</div><div><br />Then we went home and crashed, exhausted, the evening’s adrenaline all used up.</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SmtKcrgLxaI/AAAAAAAABcI/f7O7b0PQPn4/s400/Crowded.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362461637889213858\" /><div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div>Not every band we saw was out of this world, but the event, and the evening as a whole, was. And the Black Crowes, of course, were.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I do feel like I should give you a fair warning, though. Security is tight (and did a good job; there were no altercations that we heard of), and if you buy a beer at one stage ($4 for a 16-ounce can of Bud or Bud Light), you can’t take it into the next.<br /><br /></div><div>We ran into that problem when we bought a beer at Dengue Fever and tried to take it into Electric Circus for Stevedore. We had to chug it before we could get into the bar.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And, if you plan to see a show at the PAC’s William’s Theatre, don’t bother buying a beer at all; you can’t take open containers inside the theater. You can take them, however, into the Doenges.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Also, be prepared to show your ID as many times as the bouncers ask for it. At Dirty’s, we thought we could avoid the line by showing the bouncer our blue wristband, which we had to show our ID for at the door, but we were told, rather rudely, that he didn’t care what we had on our wrists, that this was his bar and we were going to show our ID.<br /><br /></div><div>So, just be aware. We weren’t, and it took us by surprise.</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SmtJVOli8OI/AAAAAAAABcA/WKXZ9gKS_Ao/s400/TheViewfromDfest.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362460410356363490\" /><div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div></div><div>Tonight, I will probably pack Isaac up in the stroller and check out some of the vendors and maybe partake of a corn dog, two things I missed out on yesterday. So, if you don’t have a ticket for Dfest tonight, at least head downtown to mingle with the crowds, take in the gorgeous skyline, and pick up some band and Tulsa-themed merch.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_S9z6AT_nzLg/ShrBz1FOgHI/AAAAAAAAAfI/D-YQCDpgnzg/s400/DSC_0069.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /><br /></div><div>P.S. Don’t drink and drive.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for the ride-along, Holly. Have fun at Dfest tonight, everybody. Like the No. 1 Tulsa arts writer said, don\'t drink and drive. I\'d like to add that you should also not text what an awesome time you had at Dfest to all your friends while driving. I don\'t want you to die a fiery death and leave me in this world all alone so, please, wait a few extra minutes and text from your driveway.</div></div>','About Last Night','','publish','open','open','','about-last-night','','','2009-07-25 15:30:00','2009-07-25 15:30:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=229',0,'post','',1),(230,1,'2009-07-28 01:15:00','2009-07-28 01:15:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sm5RxdllLuI/AAAAAAAABc4/T6OKXm0ATuM/s1600-h/DSC05338.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 600px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sm5RxdllLuI/AAAAAAAABc4/T6OKXm0ATuM/s400/DSC05338.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363314116442533602\" /></a><br /><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Remember that bit I wrote awhile back about <a href=\"http://wildbrew.org\">Wild Brew 2009</a>? <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/06/wild-brew-brew-wild.html\">The one where I was stuttering backwards and forwards and every which way except straight ahead about what a great event is brewing this year</a>?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, that little party I was talking about hatches this Saturday. It all starts with a patron hour at 4 p.m., with general admission kicking off at 5 at <a href=\"http://exposquare.com\">Central Park Hall at Tulsa Expo Square</a>.</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 341px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SkQEDX2QiDI/AAAAAAAABXE/heHaTkU2z0I/s400/Picture+8.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>If you haven\'t snagged your tickets to the wildest party of local food and drink and some darned nice folks in Tulsa, Oklahoma, you\'d better get moving, because time\'s a-wastin\'. </div><div><br /></div><div>Or, you could just keep reading.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>One of the headliner guests at Wild Brew 2009 will be <a href=\"http://marshallbrewing.com/index.asp\">Eric Marshall, the brewmaster behind Tulsa\'s own hometown brewery, Marshall Brewing Company</a>. Mr. Marshall will be bringing a number of his brewskies to this year\'s Wild Brew, including my personal favorite, the Atlas IPA. </div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sm5RiUSPqbI/AAAAAAAABcw/PU2fMNZo80w/s400/DSC05509.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363313856247474610\" /><div><br /></div><div>While there\'s not much not to love about the favorite beer style of food (and, incidentally and according to my extensive empirical research, most foodies as well), Marshall\'s IPA is just as good for front porch sipping as it is for cutting the spices and oils of some of my favorite ethnic foods - Cajun, Mexican and hotter-than-hot Indian. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some IPAs are just too, I don\'t know, confrontational for leisurely drinking. Not so with Marshall\'s. That lets me buy one or two fewer varieties of craft beer, which makes my wallet and my husband, who sometimes worries I drink more beer than he does, sleep somewhat easier at night. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, enough flowery talk about food and beer and more about that giveaway I mentioned in the title of this post. </div><div><br /></div><div>Win your chance to taste a little of your own Marshall\'s Atlas IPA at this year\'s Wild Brew event by finding the correct answer to the following question: </div><div><br /></div><div><b>What are the names of the four other beers brewed at Marshall Brewing Company? </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Write the answers as a comment on this post. Feel free to tweet about the Wild Brew event to earn extra entries; just make sure to add \"@tashadoestulsa\" so I\'ll be able to see it, brightly and beautifully. The prize is a pair of tickets to this event of food and drink plenitude. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>The contest ends Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m.</b> With the randomness of the integer generator at Random.org, I\'ll announce a winner that evening. </div><div><br /></div><div>Good luck, all! </div>','Wild Brew (And a Giveaway)','','publish','open','open','','wild-brew-and-giveaway','','','2009-07-28 01:15:00','2009-07-28 01:15:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=230',0,'post','',28),(231,1,'2009-07-29 14:52:00','2009-07-29 14:52:00','Shopping for school supplies these days can be as tough as the mystery meat in the cafeteria.<br /><br />Not only are parents forced into the mosh pit that is the school supply isle at the local big-box store in August, but they are forced to do so while squinting at a crappy photocopy of a school supplies list while also suffering a jealousy attack over the goodies available to kids today that they could have only fantasized about sporting on their first days of school.<div><br /></div><div>Read the rest of this story in <a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A27689\">Consumer Watchdog in this week\'s edition of Urban Tulsa Weekly</a>.</div>','Supplying the Demand','','publish','open','open','','supplying-demand','','','2009-07-29 14:52:00','2009-07-29 14:52:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=231',0,'post','',4),(232,1,'2009-07-30 02:00:00','2009-07-30 02:00:00','<img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 395px;\" src=\"http://wildbrew.org/images/wild_brew_homelogo.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Do recall <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/07/wild-brew-and-giveaway.html\">the contest I\'ve been holding on this little blog since the beginning of the week</a> - you know, the one with which I will now use to give away a pair of tickets to <a href=\"http://wildbrew.org/\">Wild Brew 2009</a>, a helluva party featuring a slew of local restaurants, dozens of different styles of beer from a host of breweries and plenty of folks with whom to enjoy it all.</div><div><br /></div><div>And now, four dozen entries later (some of which I couldn\'t let into the drawing because they slid across home plate after the entry deadline at 4 p.m. today - sorry, folks), the winner:</div><div><br /></div><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 177px; height: 202px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SnEKNZ5fvFI/AAAAAAAABdA/tK3JKGTt4vY/s400/Picture+15.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364079856581590098\" /><div><br /></div><div>Contestant No. 36! Come on down to claim your prize! </div><div><br /></div><div>What\'s that you say? You haven\'t the foggiest which one of you submitted the 36th entry? Oh! Well, I can help you with that. </div><div><br /></div><div>It\'s <a href=\"http://twitter.com/allaboutashley\">Ashley S.</a>! Congrats, woman. You know <a href=\"http://twitter.com/tashadoestulsa\">where to find me on Twitter</a> to claim your prize.<br /><div><br /></div><div>As for the rest of you, thanks so much for playing. You might not have won free tickets to Wild Brew 2009, but that shouldn\'t stop you from <a href=\"http://wildbrew.org/tickets.html\">snagging a pass or two to one of the biggest and most bad-ass parties for charity in Tulsa</a>. It\'ll be a blasty-blast, and you\'ll have more right angles than any other polygon if you don\'t show up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers, y\'all.</div></div>','The Beer Weiner','','publish','open','open','','beer-weiner','','','2009-07-30 02:00:00','2009-07-30 02:00:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=232',0,'post','',2),(2039,1,'2010-09-13 15:42:54','2010-09-13 20:42:54','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2022\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2022\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2022\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07146-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://tulsagreekfestival.com/\">Greek Holiday</a>, the festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food, shopping and tours of the beautiful <a href=\"http://holytrinity.ok.goarch.org/\">Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church</a> to Tulsa since 1961, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night, Sept. 16.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->Yeah, the kids have gone back to school and football season has started. But fall never really seems at hand until I see the blue and white tent at 12th and Guthrie, just outside of the IDL in downtown Tulsa.\r\n\r\nMore years that I\'ve been alive than not, my family hasn\'t missed Greek Holiday. I even went the year I was three months pregnant and so nauseated by the faintest of smells that I could feel the top of my stomach in my knees.\r\n\r\nBut I would have given my life for a gyro. Such is the paradox of pregnancy.\r\n\r\nLast year was our son\'s third trip, really, since he spent his first Greek Holiday in utero, and it was the first time he ever knew the distinct pleasure of a drippy, crispy, super-sweet slice of baklava made by Tulsa\'s own Greek yayas and theas (Greek for grandmothers and aunts, famous for their skills in the kitchen).\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2023\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2023\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2023\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07147.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nKiddo might have had a few Kourambiethes (almond-flavored butter cookies sprinkled with powdered sugar), too.\r\n\r\nBut he had nothing on what was piled on the adults\' plates: Gyros. Greek souvlaki (shish kabob). An appetizer plate heavy with spanakopita. Calamari.\r\n\r\nThat\'s four out of the nine items available on the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday, and where I come from, that\'s no average to sneeze at.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/menu.html\">Click here for the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday 2010 and info about Taverna</a>.\r\n\r\nWe also had a box full of treats from the festival bakery. Which included, of course, that dreamy baklava.\r\n\r\nThe baklava that you just can\'t get at a grocery store. The kind of baklava that could come only straight from the kitchen of a wise, knowing, feisty Greek woman.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2024\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2024\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2024\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07151-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nSome things are sacred. This baklava is one of them.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/bakery.html\">Click here for more info on what\'s available in the bakery at Greek Holiday</a>.\r\n\r\nWhile food is my favorite part of practically any festival, there\'s much more to Greek Holiday than just the eats. Greek Holiday is home to some of the most exciting dance performances you\'ll see in Tulsa all year, thanks to its several authentically costumed dance groups. All told, about 80 people are involved in this aspect of the festival, and they range in age from about 4 years old to 80.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance_schedule.html\">Click here for the schedule of dance groups performing at Greek Holiday</a> or <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance.html\">here for more about the stories behind the songs and costumes</a>.\r\n\r\nThere\'s also a Greek market, Marketa. For sale is anything your little heart could desire from the birthplace of Western civilization, from olive oil and Kalamata olives to stunning, hand-crafted jewelry to the 50th anniversary cookbook of the Holy Trinity parish, <em>Cooking Greek in Tulsa</em>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/marketa.html\">Click here for more about Marketa and the imported merchandise that\'ll be available at Greek Holiday</a>.\r\n\r\nGreek Holiday is also a chance to learn about the Greek Orthodox religion and to find out more about the culture and traditions of the people in the church. Anyone who wanders through Holy Trinity during the festival is welcome to free tours.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2025\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2025\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2025\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07152.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAs I mentioned before, yes, I look forward all year to the food on offer at Greek Holiday. But my real favorite part of this festival? That\'s it\'s about family.\r\n\r\nNow that it\'s reached its 50th year, multiple generations of the families of this parish have been involved in this festival. As you make your way down the a la carte line, you might be served your gyros and Greek-style potatoes by a grandmother and your Greek salad by her granddaughter. Entire families are involved in the ethnic dances, too, from moms and dads and kids and uncles to grandparents and great-grandparents.\r\n\r\nThis festival has, to put it lightly, some serious roots in this city.\r\n\r\nIt\'s easy to be part of this historic edition among historic editions of Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival. Admission is just $3, and that\'s only during the evenings and on Saturday. Before 4pm Thursday and Friday, there\'s no admission fee at all. And did I mention that all kids accompanied by an adult get in free?\r\n\r\nIt\'s true. They do.\r\n\r\nPlus, you have three whole days to make room in your schedule to spend a few hours exploring this event.\r\n\r\nLife can be even easier, though. <strong>You could win a gift basket full of Greek Holiday goodies right here at TDT.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe basket contains:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Dinner tickets for 4 (which includes beverage and free admission to the festival)</li>\r\n	<li>Two 2010 festival t-shirts</li>\r\n	<li>50th anniversary edition of the parish cookbook, <em>Cooking Greek for Tulsa</em></li>\r\n	<li>A box of assorted pastries, including baklava, finikia and kourambiethes (!!!)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAll you have to do for your chance to win this basket-o-heaven is <strong>head to the comments section on this post and tell me your favorite Greek food</strong>.\r\n\r\nPretty easy, right? I thought so, too.\r\n\r\n<strong>You have until tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 14) at 3pm to enter</strong>. I\'ll let <a href=\"http://www.Random.org\">Random.org</a> pick a winner later that afternoon, and I\'ll tack it all on right here as an update to this post.\r\n\r\nGood luck, everybody! And you know that I can\'t help but end this post with a big, hearty...\r\n\r\nOpa!\r\n\r\n<strong>Greek Holiday</strong>\r\nWhen: Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday, 11am-10pm; Saturday, 11am-10pm\r\nWhere: 1206 S. Guthrie Ave. (two blocks west of 11th Street and Denver Ave.; if you\'re taking the Broken Arrow Expressway, take the Houston exit)\r\nWeb: <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/\">TulsaGreekFestival.com</a>','Greek Holiday: Welcoming Fall with a Tulsa Tradition (Plus, a giveaway)','Greek Holiday, Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food and tours of the beautiful Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to Tulsa since 1960, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night. ','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-15','','','2010-09-13 15:42:54','2010-09-13 20:42:54','',2011,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/2011-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(2040,1,'2010-09-13 15:42:54','2010-09-13 20:42:54','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2022\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2022\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2022\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07146-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://tulsagreekfestival.com/\">Greek Holiday</a>, the festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food, shopping and tours of the beautiful <a href=\"http://holytrinity.ok.goarch.org/\">Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church</a> to Tulsa since 1961, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night, Sept. 16.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->Yeah, the kids have gone back to school and football season has started. But fall never really seems at hand until I see the blue and white tent at 12th and Guthrie, just outside of the IDL in downtown Tulsa.\r\n\r\nMore years that I\'ve been alive than not, my family hasn\'t missed Greek Holiday. I even went the year I was three months pregnant and so nauseated by the faintest of smells that I could feel the top of my stomach in my knees.\r\n\r\nBut I would have given my life for a gyro. Such is the paradox of pregnancy.\r\n\r\nLast year was our son\'s third trip, really, since he spent his first Greek Holiday in utero, and it was the first time he ever knew the distinct pleasure of a drippy, crispy, super-sweet slice of baklava made by Tulsa\'s own Greek yayas and theas (Greek for grandmothers and aunts, famous for their skills in the kitchen).\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2023\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2023\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2023\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07147.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nKiddo might have had a few Kourambiethes (almond-flavored butter cookies sprinkled with powdered sugar), too.\r\n\r\nBut he had nothing on what was piled on the adults\' plates: Gyros. Greek souvlaki (shish kabob). An appetizer plate heavy with spanakopita. Calamari.\r\n\r\nThat\'s four out of the nine items available on the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday, and where I come from, that\'s no average to sneeze at.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/menu.html\">Click here for the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday 2010 and info about Taverna</a>.\r\n\r\nWe also had a box full of treats from the festival bakery. Which included, of course, that dreamy baklava.\r\n\r\nThe baklava that you just can\'t get at a grocery store. The kind of baklava that could come only straight from the kitchen of a wise, knowing, feisty Greek woman.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2024\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2024\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2024\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07151-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nSome things are sacred. This baklava is one of them.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/bakery.html\">Click here for more info on what\'s available in the bakery at Greek Holiday</a>.\r\n\r\nWhile food is my favorite part of practically any festival, there\'s much more to Greek Holiday than just the eats. Greek Holiday is home to some of the most exciting dance performances you\'ll see in Tulsa all year, thanks to its several authentically costumed dance groups. All told, about 80 people are involved in this aspect of the festival, and they range in age from about 4 years old to 80.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance_schedule.html\">Click here for the schedule of dance groups performing at Greek Holiday</a> or <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance.html\">here for more about the stories behind the songs and costumes</a>.\r\n\r\nThere\'s also a Greek market, Marketa. For sale is anything your little heart could desire from the birthplace of Western civilization, from olive oil and Kalamata olives to stunning, hand-crafted jewelry to the 50th anniversary cookbook of the Holy Trinity parish, <em>Cooking Greek in Tulsa</em>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/marketa.html\">Click here for more about Marketa and the imported merchandise that\'ll be available at Greek Holiday</a>.\r\n\r\nGreek Holiday is also a chance to learn about the Greek Orthodox religion and to find out more about the culture and traditions of the people in the church. Anyone who wanders through Holy Trinity during the festival is welcome to free tours.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2025\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2025\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2025\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07152.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAs I mentioned before, yes, I look forward all year to the food on offer at Greek Holiday. But my real favorite part of this festival? That\'s it\'s about family.\r\n\r\nNow that it\'s reached its 50th year, multiple generations of the families of this parish have been involved in this festival. As you make your way down the a la carte line, you might be served your gyros and Greek-style potatoes by a grandmother and your Greek salad by her granddaughter. Entire families are involved in the ethnic dances, too, from moms and dads and kids and uncles to grandparents and great-grandparents.\r\n\r\nThis festival has, to put it lightly, some serious roots in this city.\r\n\r\nIt\'s easy to be part of this historic edition among historic editions of Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival. Admission is just $3, and that\'s only during the evenings and on Saturday. Before 4pm Thursday and Friday, there\'s no admission fee at all. And did I mention that all kids accompanied by an adult get in free?\r\n\r\nIt\'s true. They do.\r\n\r\nPlus, you have three whole days to make room in your schedule to spend a few hours exploring this event.\r\n\r\nLife can be even easier, though. <strong>You could win a gift basket full of Greek Holiday goodies right here at TDT.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe basket contains:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Dinner tickets for 4 (which includes beverage and free admission to the festival)</li>\r\n	<li>Two 2010 festival t-shirts</li>\r\n	<li>50th anniversary edition of the parish cookbook, <em>Cooking Greek for Tulsa</em></li>\r\n	<li>A box of assorted pastries, including baklava, finikia and kourambiethes (!!!)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAll you have to do for your chance to win this basket-o-heaven is <strong>head to the comments section on this post and tell me your favorite Greek food</strong>.\r\n\r\nPretty easy, right? I thought so, too.\r\n\r\n<strong>You have until tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 14) at 3pm to enter</strong>. I\'ll let <a href=\"http://www.Random.org\">Random.org</a> pick a winner later that afternoon, and I\'ll tack it all on right here as an update to this post.\r\n\r\nGood luck, everybody! And you know that I can\'t help but end this post with a big, hearty...\r\n\r\nOpa!\r\n\r\n<strong>Greek Holiday</strong>\r\nWhen: Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday, 11am-10pm; Saturday, 11am-10pm\r\nWhere: 1206 S. Guthrie Ave. (two blocks west of 11th Street and Denver Ave.; if you\'re taking the Broken Arrow Expressway, take the Houston exit)\r\nWeb: <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/\">TulsaGreekFestival.com</a>','Greek Holiday: Welcoming Fall with a Tulsa Tradition (Plus, a giveaway)','Greek Holiday, Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food and tours of the beautiful Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to Tulsa since 1960, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night. ','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-16','','','2010-09-13 15:42:54','2010-09-13 20:42:54','',2011,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/2011-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(234,1,'2009-08-01 17:30:00','2009-08-01 17:30:00','<a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3778460958/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2606/3778460958_1cdc0308c5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi, boys and girls. I\'m Swizzle the Squirrel, and today I want to talk to you about how to make new friends at your local park.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><!--more-->[adrotate group=\"2\" banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3312592140/\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3138/3312592140_d0ffb978b4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nSee that little boy? Let\'s say his name is Barnaby.\r\n\r\nBarnaby is an expert when it comes to parks. He\'s going to show us around <a href=\"http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=4009%20S.%20Pittsburg%20Avenue,%20Tulsa%20OK&amp;hl=en\">a little, 20-acre park in Midtown Tulsa called Whiteside Park</a>.\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3777717141/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2597/3777717141_da6140786a.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWhile he\'s showing us around, Barnaby would like to enlighten us with a few basic rules of engagement for the kid who heads to the park looking to acquire some new play date prospects.\r\n\r\n<strong>Rule #1: Start by being standoffish</strong>.\r\n\r\nIt\'s a basic principle of relationships: The least interested party is the one with the most social power. You can then use this power to convince your new friends to do things for you, like steal candy and bugs and lint from all the other kids and then relinquish them to you upon your request.\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3777630209/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/3777630209_b69e260fac.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nContinue to evaluate play date prospects from a safe distance. You never know these days who has had a drop-in visit from the cousin who\'s just getting over chicken pox.\r\n\r\nThese times we live in, they are so uncertain.\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3778449238/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2454/3778449238_66a14089e6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nRemember, however, that in social situations, flexibility is key. If the standoffish approach is not what the doctor ordered, then by all means, chuck it from the backseat of a rapidly moving Windstar.\r\n\r\n<strong>Rule #2: Let \'em know who\'s boss</strong>.\r\n\r\nThe best way to do this is to approach a large group of kids and make a demand.\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3777673339/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2471/3777673339_2db6b71319.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3777685587/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2446/3777685587_4a463b9e1f.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nIf the prospective playmates don\'t follow orders, you didn\'t stinkin\' need them, anyway.\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3777685293/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/3777685293_24debb666a.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Rule #3. Develop a survival tactic</strong>.\r\n\r\nA good place to start on this is with a proper and intimidating scowl.\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3778405826/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2604/3778405826_528b45740d.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3778405538/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/3778405538_f75cd68ab3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nSee? When The Scowl is in full use, no one dares come near.\r\n\r\n<strong>Rule #4: A good joke wins friends and influences people</strong>.\r\n\r\n<a title=\"DSC04847 by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3778358134/\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/3778358134_c5bf483bf3.jpg\" alt=\"DSC04847\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"DSC04846 by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3778378712/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2456/3778378712_e3c8c0aba3.jpg\" alt=\"DSC04846\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3777594211/\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/3777594211_f963604575.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3778469030/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2522/3778469030_05586e1a8f.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nJust remember to save the ones your daddy thinks are funny for someplace other than the playground.','A Kid\'s Social Guide to the Park','Barnaby is an expert when it comes to parks. He\'s going to show us around a little, 20-acre park in Midtown Tulsa called Whiteside Park.','publish','open','open','','kids-social-guide-to-park','','','2012-08-06 11:12:50','2012-08-06 17:12:50','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=234',0,'post','',3),(2192,1,'2010-09-21 06:46:23','2010-09-21 11:46:23','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3778460958/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2606/3778460958_1cdc0308c5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHi, boys and girls. I\'m Swizzle the Squirrel, and today I want to talk to you about how to make new friends at your local park.\r\n\r\n<!--more--><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3312592140/\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3138/3312592140_d0ffb978b4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\nSee that little boy? Let\'s say his name is Barnaby.\r\n\r\nBarnaby is an expert when it comes to parks. He\'s going to show us around <a href=\"http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=4009%20S.%20Pittsburg%20Avenue,%20Tulsa%20OK&amp;hl=en\">a little, 20-acre park in Midtown Tulsa called Whiteside Park</a>.\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3777717141/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2597/3777717141_da6140786a.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\nWhile he\'s showing us around, Barnaby would like to enlighten us with a few basic rules of engagement for the kid who heads to the park looking to acquire some new play date prospects.\r\n\r\n<strong>Rule #1: Start by being standoffish</strong>.\r\n\r\nIt\'s a basic principle of relationships: The least interested party is the one with the most social power. You can then use this power to convince your new friends to do things for you, like steal candy and bugs and lint from all the other kids and then relinquish them to you upon your request.\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3777630209/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/3777630209_b69e260fac.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3777632085/\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/3777632085_1b2aed422f.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\nContinue to evaluate play date prospects from a safe distance. You never know these days who has had a drop-in visit from the cousin who\'s just getting over chicken pox.\r\n\r\nThese times we live in, they are so uncertain.\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3777629839/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2589/3777629839_68c04aa033.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3778449238/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2454/3778449238_66a14089e6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\nRemember, however, that in social situations, flexibility is key. If the standoffish approach is not what the doctor ordered, then by all means, chuck it from the backseat of a rapidly moving Windstar.\r\n\r\n<strong>Rule #2: Let \'em know who\'s boss</strong>.\r\n\r\nThe best way to do this is to approach a large group of kids and make a demand.\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3777673339/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2471/3777673339_2db6b71319.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3777685587/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2446/3777685587_4a463b9e1f.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\nIf the prospective playmates don\'t follow orders, you didn\'t stinkin\' need them, anyway.\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3777685293/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/3777685293_24debb666a.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\n<strong>Rule #3. Develop a survival tactic</strong>. \r\n\r\nA good place to start on this is with a proper and intimidating scowl.\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3778405826/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2604/3778405826_528b45740d.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3778405538/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/3778405538_f75cd68ab3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\">See? When The Scowl is in full use, no one dares come near.\r\n\r\n<strong>Rule #4: A good joke wins friends and influences people</strong>.\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"DSC04847 by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3778358134/\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/3778358134_c5bf483bf3.jpg\" alt=\"DSC04847\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"DSC04846 by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3778378712/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2456/3778378712_e3c8c0aba3.jpg\" alt=\"DSC04846\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3777594211/\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/3777594211_f963604575.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a></div>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Untitled by samuelaaronball, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelaaron/3778469030/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2522/3778469030_05586e1a8f.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nJust remember to save the ones your daddy thinks are funny for someplace other than the playground.','A Kid\'s Social Guide to the Park','Barnaby is an expert when it comes to parks. He\'s going to show us around a little, 20-acre park in Midtown Tulsa called Whiteside Park.','inherit','open','open','','234-revision-2','','','2010-09-21 06:46:23','2010-09-21 11:46:23','',234,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/234-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(235,1,'2009-08-02 19:39:00','2009-08-02 19:39:00','Happy Sunday, Tulsa. It\'s absolutely freaking gorgeous outside, and yet you find yourself in front of a computer screen.<br /><br />I know. I\'m in the same boat. Since I\'m working on something really cool, though, you might as well be, too.<br /><br />If you\'re a blogger (if you\'re not, then you should be) pecking away at a keyboard located within in the Tulsa area, take a minute to use the form below to tell me about yourself.<br /><br />I promise not to sell your information to the evil androids at some huge advertising firm, not even for a million dollars. I also promise not to send you asinine forwarded e-mails about puppies or the newest way criminals have come up with to steal you from a Wal-Mart parking lot. Your information will be used for strictly and totally awesome purposes only.<br /><br /><iframe src=\"http://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?key=tqeXRH6gDEmzXzZS0IiOdYg\" width=\"675\" height=\"1425\" frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\">Loading...</iframe><br /><br />There. Easy, huh? Just like Sunday morning.<br /><br />Now, for the love of Pete, shut off this crazy computer and go play outside. It\'s just lovely.','Blogger Hunting','','publish','open','open','','blogger-hunting','','','2009-08-02 19:39:00','2009-08-02 19:39:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=235',0,'post','',4),(236,1,'2009-08-03 05:00:00','2009-08-03 05:00:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3834219306/\" title=\"DSC06210 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3475/3834219306_d73a84491d.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" alt=\"DSC06210\" /></a></div><br />The building? Deed in hand. Architect’s plans? In their final drafts.<br /><br />Concept? Try concepts. Three, to be exact, each from the mind of a proven Blue Dome District entrepreneur.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://www.joemommas.com\">Joe Momma’s Pizza</a> owner Blake Ewing, Shelby Navarro of <a href=\"http://www.1architecture.com/\">One Architecture</a> and an anonymous third party have been at work on a much-fabled strip of hip at Second Street and Elgin Avenue.<br /><br />Ewing and Navarro have secured the 5,800-SF building just south of the Joe Momma’s at 112 S. Elgin Ave. The plan is to divide the building into three spaces, each hosting a business concept.<br /><br />Read the rest of this story in <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/industry_article.asp?cID=i&amp;aID=22283292.4897982.642382.4487382.5293768.852&amp;aID2=49405\">this week\'s edition of Food Page in Tulsa Business Journal</a>.','In the Works','','publish','open','open','','in-works','','','2009-08-03 05:00:00','2009-08-03 05:00:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=236',0,'post','',0),(237,1,'2009-08-05 13:00:00','2009-08-05 13:00:00','Yes, the pools are still open, and it\'s still so hot and steamy outside that your glasses fog over every time you step out of the office for a bite to eat.<br /><br />In the personal finance world, though, it\'s high time to plan for the holidays.<br /><br />We all love the holidays, even if we could do without the silly songs, blatant consumerism and family friction. No one can deny that all those dinners and parties and gift exchanges ride up on the pricey side.<br /><br />For the past couple of years, we Americans have been spending about $450 billion with the retail industry during our winter holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. That\'s down from what we were spending when the Joneses were still current on their mortgage, but it\'s still enough money to warrant a bit of forethought before tossing it into the open registers at the shopping malls.<br /><br />Read the rest of this story in <a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A27746\">this week\'s edition of Urban Tulsa Weekly</a>.','140 Shopping Days Left','','publish','open','open','','140-shopping-days-left','','','2009-08-05 13:00:00','2009-08-05 13:00:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=237',0,'post','',0),(238,1,'2009-08-05 23:10:00','2009-08-05 23:10:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3794145690/\" title=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2539/3794145690_e84808c177.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market\" /></a></div><br /><div>Natasha confession #3,598: Before today, I had never been to <a href=\"http://www.cherrystreetfarmersmarket.com/\">the Brookside Farmers\' Market</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>I know, I know. Boo, hiss and the like. As a Tulsa-proud Tulsan, I was as ashamed as you are right now just reading this, this gaping hole in my Tulsa-doing repertoire. </div><div><br /></div><div>But, just when you thought I couldn\'t get any dumber, today - here comes what I alluded to before - I totally redeemed myself. </div><div><br /></div><div>Name that movie. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway. I cast my shoe over the Brookside Farmers\' Market bright and early today, and oh, boy, did I make away with some serious loot.</div><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 src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2467/3794191328_ffe71d0cba.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market\" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Pageant-worthy green beans and jalapeno peppers, ladies and gentleman.</div><div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3793327755/\" title=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2657/3793327755_93d19e350a.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Reporter fail. I couldn\'t tell you what variety of apple these are, but I can tell you that they\'re crunchy, crisp and cleanly sweet. And, nicely sized. I can actually finish one of these babies before I\'m bored out of my mind. </div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3793328145/\" title=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2446/3793328145_28f698683d.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market\" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Look! An apple tree leaf.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just try to find one of those in your local grocer\'s produce section. </div><div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3793327153/\" title=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/3793327153_f544b42200.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market\" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Hello, hello. </div><div><br /></div><div>Not only are these grapes grown in Haskell (south of Bixby) absolutely gorgeous, they taste even better than they look. They\'re Jupiter grapes, and their flavor is floral with notes of apple and honey. The taste is rich, complex and, refreshingly, not of that 100-percent sugar camp of grapes we all know and love as the grapes mom brought home from the Piggly Wiggly.</div><div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3793327429/\" title=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2635/3793327429_67888ca96a.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market\" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Lovely. I haven\'t stopped eating them since I bought them. No, really - I ate them in the car on my way home.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, vini, vidi and vici. The Brookside farmers\' market won\'t soon be dry of the sweat that profusely poured from my forehead and upper lip this morning, thanks to the extreme temperature and humidity level - it really was something to talk about at 9 a.m., even for August in Oklahoma. I practically marked the entire thing - that is, the parts of it I didn\'t lug home with me in a handy-dandy reusable shopping bag I scored for free at the Saturday Cherry Street Farmers\' Market last week - with my grubby, slimy hands and the ring of ambient perspiration following me around like a stinky force field. </div><div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3793328411/\" title=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3527/3793328411_89253d62f2.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market\" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Linda at Hilltop Honey didn\'t seem to mind the overheated red-headed girl and her pasty-white baby boy who wouldn\'t stop asking her questions about the difference between solid and liquid honey. She couldn\'t have been nicer. Plus, I got to stock up on my most favorite lotion on the planet, her Patchouli scented Hilltop Honey lotion. </div><div><br /></div><div>I snagged a small bottle of the lavender lotion and a jar of liquid honey, too. Just to be on the safe side.</div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3794144780/\" title=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2586/3794144780_6970ec94a5.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">And promptly dipped toast right into the jar as soon as I got through my front door.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3794145690/\" title=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2539/3794145690_e84808c177.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3794145276/\" title=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3549/3794145276_333ded5b34.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div></div><div>Before today, I hadn\'t had a drop of honey in a year and a half. Kiddos under the age of one or so aren\'t supposed to eat the stuff, so I chose to keep it out of the house so I wouldn\'t screw up and accidentally slather my toddler\'s tongue with it. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, go ahead and blame me for being uncouth and dipping my toast right into the honey jar. Do it - I dare you.</div><div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3793436485/\" title=\"Garden\'s Bounty by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3515/3793436485_7ac3d40a26.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Garden\'s Bounty\" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Though I didn\'t buy any squash this morning, there\'s a lot of it to be had \'round these parts right about now. As my friend Amanda at the Oklahoma food blog (and repeat offender in the <a href=\"http://foodgawker.com/\">Food Gawker</a> line-up) <a href=\"http://havesporkwilltravel.blogspot.com/\">Have Spork, Will Travel</a> said in a recent post, \"It\'s a dangerous time of year to leave your car windows down...you\'re likely to end up with a backseat full of zucchini.\"  </div><div><br /></div><div>In case you can\'t use all the squash taking over the backyard garden with <a href=\"http://havesporkwilltravel.blogspot.com/2009/07/chicken-breast-and-zucchini-pappardelle.html\">Amanda\'s recipe for Chicken Breast and Zucchini Pappardelle</a>, keep trying with my favorite recipe for squash fritters.</div><div><br /></div><div>The great thing about this recipe is that you can substitute pretty much anything for the squash once it eventually runs out or you throw up your hands in defeat. I\'m talking everything from corn to sweet potatoes to apples would work in these babies. Give \'em a try. If you hate everything about them including their mothers, you\'d better have a better recipe forthcoming, or I\'ll be showing you the business end of a squash masher. </div><div><br /></div><div>Just as soon as I figure out which end that is.</div><div><br /></div>Squash (or Whatever) Fritters<div><ul><li>1 lb. of squash (or whatever)</li><li>3 large eggs, beaten</li><li>1 c. bread or cracker crumbs (preferably homemade)</li><li>salt</li><li>pepper</li><li>1 small onion, diced</li><li>vegetable oil</li></ul></div><div>Steam squash until it\'s in that place between crispy and mushy. Mash.</div><div><br /></div><div>Combine squash, eggs and next four ingredients in a large bowl. </div><div><br /></div><div>Pour about 2 inches\' worth of oil into a skillet and heat to about 375 degrees (or, when you thwack something into the skillet and it starts to cook without becoming a slop of grease). </div><div><br /></div><div>Drop mixture by mixing-spoon fulls into the skillet. Cook until browned, turning once. </div><div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3794272672/\" title=\"Squash Happy by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/3794272672_1b0d5e18c5.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Squash Happy\" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Happy squashing, everyone. Don\'t forget to patronize Tulsa\'s farmers\' markets. Locations are all pretty much set, but days and times vary, so the best way to keep tabs on these veggie stands on steroids is to bookmark <a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A27761\">the Events pages in the Urban Tulsa Weekly</a>. They come complete with a listing of each market in the area, along with a list of what produce will be available at those markets that week. </div><div><br /></div><div>We have about three months left of these open-air centers of fresh, locally grown produce. Soak it up. </div>','Beating the Brookside Farmers Market','','publish','open','open','','beating-brookside-farmers-market','','','2009-08-05 23:10:00','2009-08-05 23:10:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=238',0,'post','',7),(239,1,'2009-08-07 04:06:00','2009-08-07 04:06:00','<object width=\"580\" height=\"360\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/76LDXO9BFA4&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x234900&amp;color2=0x4e9e00&amp;border=1\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/76LDXO9BFA4&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x234900&amp;color2=0x4e9e00&amp;border=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"580\" height=\"360\"></embed></object><br /><br />For my toddler-induced, limited late-night Internet video viewing time, it doesn\'t get any better than that, folks.<br /><br />Speaking of toddlers:<br /><br /><object width=\"445\" height=\"364\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/NP9E6rEyimk&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x234900&amp;color2=0x4e9e00&amp;border=1\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/NP9E6rEyimk&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x234900&amp;color2=0x4e9e00&amp;border=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"445\" height=\"364\"></embed></object><br /><br />Wow. Just wow. The Tulsa Transit folks are way groovier than me and my dandelion-headed kid.<br /><br />These videos are all part of <a href=\"http://youtube.com/tulsatransit\">Tulsa Transit\'s Rock the Bus video challenge</a>. The grand-prize winner gets a $100 gift card to Cinemark Theater, and everyone who submits a video gets a pass to ride with Tulsa Transit for a full and entire month - for the trouble it takes to shoot a video that\'s short and flippin\' sweet, that\'s some serious gasoline and personal automobile wear-and-tear savings, people.<br /><br />To enter, come up with a video that shows how hard you can rock the bus. Post it to <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/tulsatransit\">the Tulsa Transit channel on YouTube</a> by Sunday, Aug. 16, and stay tuned to find out if you\'re a winner.<br /><br />There is, of course, a rule or two. The video must be shot on a Tulsa Transit bus or at one of the Tulsa Transit bus stations. Don\'t be dirty. Don\'t be foul. Don\'t forget to have a good time.<br /><br />The winner will be selected by Aug. 24 and will be notified by e-mail through YouTube. Tulsa Transit will also post the winning video on <a href=\"http://tulsatransit.org/\">its Web site at tulsatransit.org</a>, as well as its <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tulsa-OK/Tulsa-Transit/90292387434?ref=search\">Facebook</a> and Myspace pages.<br /><br />Oh, and don\'t forget to <a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/tulsatransit\">follow Tulsa Transit on Twitter</a>.<br /><br />To learn even more about this contest, check out this story by one of my very favorite Tulsa TV personalities, <a href=\"http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=7460575\">Rick Wells of KOTV</a>:<br /><br /><object width=\"445\" height=\"364\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/AGPFjjxpJ8s&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x234900&amp;color2=0x4e9e00&amp;border=1\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/AGPFjjxpJ8s&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x234900&amp;color2=0x4e9e00&amp;border=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"445\" height=\"364\"></embed></object><div><br /></div><div>Man your Flip cameras, Tulsa. It\'s time to rock the bus.</div>','Out-Rock the Bus','','publish','open','open','','out-rock-bus','','','2009-08-07 04:06:00','2009-08-07 04:06:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=239',0,'post','',1),(2043,1,'2010-09-13 15:44:10','2010-09-13 20:44:10','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2022\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2022\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2022\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07146-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://tulsagreekfestival.com/\">Greek Holiday</a>, the festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food, shopping and tours of the beautiful <a href=\"http://holytrinity.ok.goarch.org/\">Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church</a> to Tulsa since 1961, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night, Sept. 16.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->Yeah, the kids have gone back to school and football season has started. But fall never really seems at hand until I see the blue and white tent at 12th and Guthrie, just outside of the IDL in downtown Tulsa.\r\n\r\nMore years that I\'ve been alive than not, my family hasn\'t missed Greek Holiday. I even went the year I was three months pregnant and so nauseated by the faintest of smells that I could feel the top of my stomach in my knees.\r\n\r\nBut I would have given my life for a gyro. Such is the paradox of pregnancy.\r\n\r\nLast year was our son\'s third trip, really, since he spent his first Greek Holiday in utero, and it was the first time he ever knew the distinct pleasure of a drippy, crispy, super-sweet slice of baklava made by Tulsa\'s own Greek yayas and theas (Greek for grandmothers and aunts, famous for their skills in the kitchen).\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2023\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2023\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2023\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07147.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nKiddo might have had a few Kourambiethes (almond-flavored butter cookies sprinkled with powdered sugar), too.\r\n\r\nBut he had nothing on what was piled on the adults\' plates: Gyros. Greek souvlaki (shish kabob). An appetizer plate heavy with spanakopita. Calamari.\r\n\r\nThat\'s four out of the nine items available on the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday, and where I come from, that\'s no average to sneeze at.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/menu.html\">Click here for the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday 2010 and info about Taverna</a>.\r\n\r\nWe also had a box full of treats from the festival bakery. Which included, of course, that dreamy baklava.\r\n\r\nThe baklava that you just can\'t get at a grocery store. The kind of baklava that could come only straight from the kitchen of a wise, knowing, feisty Greek woman.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2024\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2024\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2024\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07151-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nSome things are sacred. This baklava is one of them.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/bakery.html\">Click here for more info on what\'s available in the bakery at Greek Holiday</a>.\r\n\r\nWhile food is my favorite part of practically any festival, there\'s much more to Greek Holiday than just the eats. Greek Holiday is home to some of the most exciting dance performances you\'ll see in Tulsa all year, thanks to its several authentically costumed dance groups. All told, about 80 people are involved in this aspect of the festival, and they range in age from about 4 years old to 80.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance_schedule.html\">Click here for the schedule of dance groups performing at Greek Holiday</a> or <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance.html\">here for more about the stories behind the songs and costumes</a>.\r\n\r\nThere\'s also a Greek market, Marketa. For sale is anything your little heart could desire from the birthplace of Western civilization, from olive oil and Kalamata olives to stunning, hand-crafted jewelry to the 50th anniversary cookbook of the Holy Trinity parish, <em>Cooking Greek in Tulsa</em>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/marketa.html\">Click here for more about Marketa and the imported merchandise that\'ll be available at Greek Holiday</a>.\r\n\r\nGreek Holiday is also a chance to learn about the Greek Orthodox religion and to find out more about the culture and traditions of the people in the church. Anyone who wanders through Holy Trinity during the festival is welcome to free tours.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2025\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2025\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2025\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07152.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAs I mentioned before, yes, I look forward all year to the food on offer at Greek Holiday. But my real favorite part of this festival? That\'s it\'s about family.\r\n\r\nNow that it\'s reached its 50th year, multiple generations of the families of this parish have been involved in this festival. As you make your way down the a la carte line, you might be served your gyros and Greek-style potatoes by a grandmother and your Greek salad by her granddaughter. Entire families are involved in the ethnic dances, too, from moms and dads and kids and uncles to grandparents and great-grandparents.\r\n\r\nThis festival has, to put it lightly, some serious roots in this city.\r\n\r\nIt\'s easy to be part of this historic edition among historic editions of Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival. Admission is just $3, and that\'s only during the evenings and on Saturday. Before 4pm Thursday and Friday, there\'s no admission fee at all. And did I mention that all kids accompanied by an adult get in free?\r\n\r\nIt\'s true. They do.\r\n\r\nPlus, you have three whole days to make room in your schedule to spend a few hours exploring this event.\r\n\r\nLife can be even easier, though. <strong>You could win a gift basket full of Greek Holiday goodies right here at TDT.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe basket contains:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Dinner tickets for 4 (which includes beverage and free admission to the festival)</li>\r\n	<li>Two 2010 festival t-shirts</li>\r\n	<li>50th anniversary edition of the parish cookbook, <em>Cooking Greek for Tulsa</em></li>\r\n	<li>A box of assorted pastries, including baklava, finikia and kourambiethes</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAll you have to do for your chance to win this basket-o-heaven is <strong>head to the comments section on this post and tell me your favorite Greek food</strong>.\r\n\r\nPretty easy, right? I thought so, too.\r\n\r\n<strong>You have until tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 14) at 3pm to enter</strong>. I\'ll let <a href=\"http://www.Random.org\">Random.org</a> pick a winner later that afternoon, and I\'ll tack it all on right here as an update to this post.\r\n\r\nGood luck, everybody! And you know that I can\'t help but end this post with a big, hearty...\r\n\r\nOpa!\r\n\r\n<strong>Greek Holiday</strong>\r\nWhen: Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday, 11am-10pm; Saturday, 11am-10pm\r\nWhere: 1206 S. Guthrie Ave. (two blocks west of 11th Street and Denver Ave.; if you\'re taking the Broken Arrow Expressway, take the Houston exit)\r\nWeb: <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/\">TulsaGreekFestival.com</a>','Greek Holiday: Welcoming Fall with a Tulsa Tradition (Plus, a giveaway)','Greek Holiday, Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food and tours of the beautiful Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to Tulsa since 1960, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night. ','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-19','','','2010-09-13 15:44:10','2010-09-13 20:44:10','',2011,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/2011-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(241,1,'2009-08-07 14:30:00','2009-08-07 14:30:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3578/3796612183_2621fb04b2_o.png\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 465px; height: 570px;\" src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3578/3796612183_2621fb04b2_o.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a><br />Downtown Tulsa is about to turn glitzy with a Hollywood-caliber party: The inaugural <a href=\"http://urbantulsa.com\">Absolute Best of Tulsa Music Awards</a>. <div><br /></div><div>The host of this little party is <a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/zacmaloy\">Tulsa\'s own Zac Maloy</a>, a songwriter working with the likes of <a href=\"http://www.trainline.com/\">Train</a>, <a href=\"http://www.bowlingforsoup.com/\">Bowling for Soup</a>, <a href=\"http://www.ourladypeace.com/\">Our Lady Peace</a>, <a href=\"http://www.jamesblunt.com/\">James Blunt</a> and <a href=\"http://www.daughtryofficial.com/us/home\">Daughtry</a>. He also penned the current single for <a href=\"http://www.davidcookofficial.com/us/home\">T-Town\'s adopted son David Cook</a>, \"Come Back to Me,\" and wrote several songs for the forthcoming <a href=\"http://www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com/\">Carrie Underwood</a> album. </div><div><br /></div><div>Backing up Maloy will be <a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A19181\">the ABoT Music Awards Orchestra provided by Tulsa Symphony Orchestra\'s Tulsa Rock Ensemble</a>. Plus, each of the five bands up for the title of Best Band of the Year will have its chance to rock the house down to its spring-loaded dance floor. </div><div><br /></div><div>Red carpet arrivals of Tulsa music celebrities begin at 7 p.m., with the awards ceremony kicking off at 8. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href=\"http://urbantulsa.com\">Urban Tulsa Weekly</a> created The Absolute Best of Tulsa Music Awards to offer greater coverage of the vibrant music scene in Tulsa. Nearly 85,000 votes have been counted, and all that\'s left is to get down with our bad selves as the winners of dozens of categories are announced under the roof of Tulsa\'s most treasured musichouse. </div><div><br /></div><div>All you rockers headed to the ABoTMAs should tune in on your mobile devices to <a href=\"http://twitter.com\">Twitter</a> for <a href=\"http://twitter.com/tashadoestulsa\">a live tweeting of the night\'s red-carpet shenanigans</a>, provided by me and <a href=\"http://twitter.com/hwall\">Urban Tulsa Weekly arts writer Holly Wall</a>. The fun won\'t stop at the door, though - we\'ll continue to show you our tweets throughout the awards ceremony. </div><div><br /></div><div>Everyone can score tickets to this first-annual event online at <a href=\"http://protix.com/\">protix.com</a>, by phone at 1-866-9PROTIX or in person at <a href=\"http://cainsballroom.com/\">Cain\'s Ballroom</a>, <a href=\"http://www.idaredboutique.com/\">Ida Red on Brookside</a> and <a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/starshiprecordsok\">the inimitable Starship Records at 13th and Lewis</a>. Spots at a reserved table are $25, and general admission is $15 - a rock-bottom bargain for a star-studded evening of live, down-home rock and roll. </div><div><br /></div><div>Before you pull out your billfolds, though, give this little game of chance a shot: </div><div><br /></div><div>If you can scan to the comments section of this post and <b>name the five Tulsa bands battling for the biggest title of the evening, Best Band of the Year</b>, you will have a good chance at winning a pair of general admission tickets to one of the hottest parties of 2009. </div><div><br /></div><div>You have until this time tomorrow (Saturday) morning to enter; I\'ll announce a winner hand-picked by <a href=\"http://random.org/\">Random.org</a> by noon. </div><div><br /></div><div>Good luck! And don\'t forget, for all of your weekend mosh pit and general hip-swaying needs, Cain\'s Ballroom for the ABoT Music Awards is the place to be. See you there.</div>','Want Tix to the Absolute Best of Tulsa Music Awards?','','publish','open','open','','want-tix-to-absolute-best-of-tulsa','','','2009-08-07 14:30:00','2009-08-07 14:30:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=241',0,'post','',17),(242,1,'2009-08-08 16:58:00','2009-08-08 16:58:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3578/3796612183_2621fb04b2_o.png\" /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Yesterday I kicked off <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/08/want-tix-to-absolute-best-of-tulsa.html\">a fight for two tickets (a $30 value) to tonight\'s Absolute Best of Tulsa Music Awards</a>, hosted at <a href=\"http://cainsballroom.com/\">Cain\'s Ballroom</a> by those bafty crastards at <a href=\"http://urbantulsa.com/\">Urban Tulsa Weekly</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I asked contestants to tell me the five bands up for Best Band of the Year. Everyone answered correctly, but the names of these five stellar bands bear repeating:</div><div><br /></div><b>Callupsie</b><div><b><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: normal; \">Web site: <a href=\"http://www.callupsie.com/\">http://www.callupsie.com/</a></span></b><div>About (from the Callupsie Web site): Callupsie is an indie rock band from Tulsa, OK. The group was formed in July of 2005. Callupsie is a band that plays shows in and out of their hometown week in and week out. They are close friends that have based their band and ideas upon a strict work ethic and a mutual respect for each other and those who work with them. The are inspired by the friends who have supported them as well as other musicians past and present. Callupsie mixes genres, lyrics, rhythms, and energy into their own sound that\'s as original as the name they go by. </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Dead Sea Choir</b></div><div>Web site: <a href=\"http://www.deadseachoir.com/\">http://www.deadseachoir.com/</a><br />About: Sonically, it\'s something akin to Mozart, Aphex Twin, Radiohead and Philip Glass battling each other in space. A complex mix of organic and synthetic percussive elements providing the backbone for crooning vocals, sweeping piano arpeggios, atmospheric guitar and electronic girth.</div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div><b>Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey</b></div><div>Web site: <a href=\"http://jfjo.com/\">http://jfjo.com/</a></div><div>About (from the JFJO Web site): JFJO is pianist Brian Haas, drummer Josh Raymer, upright bassist Matt Hayes, and guitarist Chris Combs. To say that JFJO\'s music transcends boundaries and expands minds is an understatement. Since 1994, JFJO has brought their impressionistic and improvisational vision from the Midwest\'s Bible-Belt to many of the world\'s finest music festivals and clubs. Music listeners are blown away by JFJO\'s instrumental creativity, musical risk, and near telepathy on stage. In the past 18 months, JFJO has travelled to Europe four times and have played at major jazz festivals all over the world.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>My Solstice</b></div><div>Web site: <a href=\"http://www.mysolsticeband.com/\">http://www.mysolsticeband.com/</a></div><div>About (from the Dfest 2009 Web site): An idea in the minds of two guys looking for their own personal \"solstice\" in life, has grown to become what Tulsa World calls, \"a full on indie rock experience\", along with many other media publications across the midwest shouting praises of their own. Always staying open minded and socially conscious in all aspects of writing, My Solstice seems to create music that anyone can relate to.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Vandevander</b></div><div>Web site: <a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/vandevandermusic\">http://www.myspace.com/vandevandermusic</a></div><div>About (from the band\'s Web site on Myspace): The initial Vandevander release, The Great State of Emotion, is the first of a trilogy of EPs that will tie together to relate the cycle of emotional upheaval, inner turmoil and redemption. Raw Emotion. For anyone who has experienced heartbreak, betrayal or a painful breakup, the effect is similar to ripping your heart out and showing it to you, like the scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark </div><div><br /></div><div>The lucky TDT reader, selected from <a href=\"https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7770348106932064769&amp;postID=27898861766981738&amp;isPopup=true\">the comments on the contest post that were actual entries and that slid in under the deadline</a>, who has won the free-of-charge chance to see which of these bands take home the biggest prize of the evening is: </div><div><br /><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 186px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/Sn2slcyjQBI/AAAAAAAABeI/aNchbRd5LjE/s400/Picture+23.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367636090278854674\" /><b><br /></b></div><b><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: normal;\">Xylo, from the blog </span><a href=\"http://livinglikemusic.blogspot.com/\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: normal;\">Electrocore: Living Like Music</span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: normal;\">! Congrats. </span><a href=\"mailto:%20tashadoestulsa@gmail.com\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: normal;\">E-mail me</span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: normal;\"> to collect your prize. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: normal;\">Thanks to all for playing. Tickets to the ABoT MAs are still available for a mere $15, a small price to pay for admittance to one of the rockin\'-est parties of the year, at </span><a href=\"http://cainsballroom.com/\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: normal;\">Cain\'s Ballroom</span></a><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: normal;\">, Ida Red on Brookside and Starship Records at 13th and Lewis. </span></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: normal;\"><br /></span></div><div><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: normal;\">See you all there. I\'ll be the one standing by <a href=\"http://twitter.com/hwall\">Urban Tulsa arts writer Holly Wall</a>, doling out</span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: normal;\"><a href=\"http://twitter.com/tashadoestulsa\"> some seriously tasty tweets</a> from the red carpet. </span></div></b></div>','We Have A Winner','','publish','open','open','','we-have-winner','','','2009-08-08 16:58:00','2009-08-08 16:58:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=242',0,'post','',0),(243,1,'2009-08-11 23:02:00','2009-08-11 23:02:00','<a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SoIJ0GPmKoI/AAAAAAAABeY/Q8h2zDgiVNA/s1600-h/723px-IMG_8505n3.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 332px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SoIJ0GPmKoI/AAAAAAAABeY/Q8h2zDgiVNA/s400/723px-IMG_8505n3.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368864496412928642\" /></a><br />In case you missed <a href=\"http://www.kbez.com/jockbios/carly.aspx\">Carly Rush\'s reminder <span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; \"></span></a><a href=\"http://www.kbez.com/jockbios/carly.aspx\">on the All Request Lunch Hour on 92.9 KBEZ </a>about the Perseid Meteor Shower peaking this evening, I\'m here to tell you that, hey, people, the Perseid Meteor Shower is peaking this evening. <div><br /></div><div>It\'s a show not to be missed. When its that time of year for this sky-wide light show to come around, right at the end of each summer, my little family and I evade the city lights by heading for my old stomping grounds along Highway 97. </div><div><br /></div><div>After about 30 minutes of watching the sky in a place where there is no light pollution whatsoever, the heavens look like more than just a starry sky. They eyes adjust and a dusty-looking Milky Way and billions of stars start to peep out from their hiding places in the night sky.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then, the show starts. Shooting stars start coming so fast that you have to chuck the idea you and your star-watching buddies adopted earlier in the evening when things were slow goin\'s of counting them on your fingers and toes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Problem for you fine folks is, not everyone grew up in a ranch house in the middle of BFE. Folks with no parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins and step-aunts twice removed with star-watching pads in the country deserve a good light show, too. </div><div><br /></div><div>Depending upon what part of Tulsa you call home, check out one of these spots to spread out on a blanket with some snacks and a loved one or two (having the kids out would be nice, as long as they\'re not Broken Arrow or Union Public School students and have to head back to school tomorrow) to watch the shooting stars. </div><div><br /></div><div>And I don\'t mean my old Sand Springs softball team, The Shooting Stars. Because that would be a miserable experience for you. Mostly because the sight of me sitting on my behonkus in the outfield playing in the sand and picking flowers as a line drive blows by my head would be more intense than the climax of an especially tense I Love Lucy show - you\'ll want to stomp and shout, and that\'s not what we\'re all about here. Not today.</div><div><br /></div><div>Before you head out, check out <a href=\"http://www.newson6.com/Global/category.asp?C=121535&amp;autoStart=true&amp;topVideoCatNo=default&amp;clipId=4034205&amp;flvUri=\">what KOTV weatherman Travis Myer has to say about when and where to watch for these rogue dust particles in the night sky</a>. Hint: If you want to see up to a meteor a minute, it\'s gonna be a very, very late night. Or, a very, very early morning, depending on how you look at things. </div><div><br /><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.newson6.com/global/video/videoplayer.js?rnd=382188;hostDomain=www.newson6.com;playerWidth=475;playerHeight=400;isShowIcon=true;clipId=4034205;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript\"></script></div><div><b>North.</b> <a href=\"http://www.fishingworks.com/lakes/oklahoma/tulsa/tulsa/lake-yahola/\">Lake Yahola, a reservoir near Mohawk Golf Course</a>. There\'s good fishing to be had at Lake Yahola, too. Just be sure you have your state-issued fishing license before you go anglin\'.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>South.</b> <a href=\"http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&amp;rls=en-us&amp;oe=UTF-8&amp;um=1&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;q=skyline+park+jenks,+OK&amp;fb=1&amp;split=1&amp;gl=us&amp;view=text&amp;latlng=16158447088327566103\">Skyline Park by Skyline Lake</a>, another reservoir, located a mile and a half southeast of Jenks. It\'s dark there. Really dark. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>East.</b> <a href=\"http://www.brokenarrowretail.com/stone_wood_hills.php\">The Village at Stone Wood Hills in Broken Arrow</a>, home of the Tulsa area\'s Bass Pro Shop location along Highway 51. Head for the north side of the highest hills on the north side of the development to catch the least light pollution. Don\'t balk; if it\'s good enough for the <a href=\"http://eventful.com/brokenarrow/events/astronomy-club-tulsa-presents-sidewalk-/E0-001-018899103-4\">Astronomy Club of Tulsa\'s Sidewalk Astronomy</a> events, it\'s good enough for us. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>West.</b> Near Keystone Lake, or anywhere west of Sand Springs and far enough from the Keystone Expressway where you can park and mosey about without getting a 12-gauge shoved into the back of your neck. Try also <a href=\"http://www.discoverylandusa.com/contactus.shtml\">the grounds of Discoveryland!</a>, home of our local, nightly Oklahoma! production. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you head out to any of these public places at the ungodly hour of the highest meteor shower activity, don\'t trespass in the name of amateur astronomy. Just don\'t. I can\'t have the weight of your unruly actions pressing down upon my shoulders. I just won\'t know what to do with myself. </div><div><br /></div><div>I really, really won\'t know what to do with myself in the middle of the night when you call me from jail asking me to come bail you out because, heck, this was all my cockamamie idea in the first place. I\'ll probably just wake my ex-Army sniper husband, who can track a praying mantis through a spring rain in the woods, and ask him what he thinks about it. </div><div><br /></div><div>For even more places to scope out the stars, check out <a href=\"http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/ubbthreads.php?ubb=download&amp;Number=130109&amp;filename=269838-ArtificialNightSkyBrightnessforNorthAmerica.kmz\">this light pollution map</a>. Hint: Look for places on the map in yellow or green rings for the locations with the best viewing-to-drive-time ratios. Be sure to install Google Earth before you try to view the map. You won\'t regret it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Know of a great, legal place to do some star watching? Leave details in the comments.</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy viewing, everyone.</div>','Shooting Stars','','publish','open','open','','shooting-stars','','','2009-08-11 23:02:00','2009-08-11 23:02:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=243',0,'post','',58),(244,1,'2009-08-12 12:58:00','2009-08-12 12:58:00','<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 src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2467/3794191328_ffe71d0cba.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Brookside Farmers\' Market\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>I\'ve used a bunch of real estate in this paper talking about how we can all save money on that line item in our budgets that continues to rank in the top three most expensive aspects of staying alive: our food.</div><br />With finance whizzes telling us to spend anywhere from 5-20 percent of our take-home income on munchies, second only to the price of the roofs over our heads and the transportation we use to get to the place where we work to earn the money for everything else we have to buy. All the tips I\'ve given in this column about grocery shopping bear repeating: Learn to use coupons strategically. Plan meals around the sales printed in weekly grocery circulars. Never shop when you\'re hungry. And so on and so forth.<br /><br />After going on for the months since this column began about such money-saving tactics, I predict that what I\'m about to recommend will, then, cause more than one of you to balk.<br /><br />To get some of the best deals in town on produce, head to the closest farmers\' market.<br /><br />Read the rest of this story in <a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A27825\">Consumer Watchdog in this week\'s edition of Urban Tulsa Weekly</a>.','Veg Out','','publish','open','open','','veg-out','','','2009-08-12 12:58:00','2009-08-12 12:58:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=244',0,'post','',0),(245,1,'2009-08-12 23:15:00','2009-08-12 23:15:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"color:#0000EE;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SOvvxw8i0kI/AAAAAAAAAWg/UFcGDNAstY4/s400/tulsarun.jpg\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/SOvvxw8i0kI/AAAAAAAAAWg/UFcGDNAstY4/s400/tulsarun.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a><br />Well, folks, it\'s that time of year again: It\'s the time about two months before <a href=\"http://www.tulsarun.com/\">the Tulsa Run</a> when I decide to put my calves through hell by picking up where I left off from training for last year\'s TR - because I haven\'t, of course, trained a single day since - and driving it home until race day. <div><br /></div><div>Ah, grueling physical challenge, how apparently I must love thee. Last year I started training for the TR 5K with an extra 30 pounds slung around my waist and thighs and upper arms and, well, anywhere else maternity fat can accumulate. By race day I weighed less than I did when I found out about the little blonde, curly-headed boy taking shape in that part of my body I hadn\'t thought much about since \"girls\' week\" - five days of science class devoid of our male classmates who were down the hall learning about testes and chest hair and cracking voices - in fifth grade. </div><div><br /></div><div>Plus, I felt really good. Mostly. By that I mean, my calves and knees and hips hurt like hell, but I was sporting a racing sock tan. Ahem - I said <i>tan</i>. Generally, I don\'t tan. I burn like Queen Elizabeth in Ecuador. Then I call my little sister over to peel the crusty skin off my shoulders, an experience totally worth the pain of the sunburn and smelling like aloe vera for four days.</div><div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img src=\"http://www.tulsarun.com/images/feature_banner.jpg\" /></div></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div>Something tells me I\'m not alone in hitting the training track cold turkey like this, with actual expectations of being able to run the 5K or 15K without suffering myocardial infarction. For those of you like me, <a href=\"http://www.hillcrest.com/content/tulsarun/default.htm\">check out the training schedules on the TR site</a>. I\'ll be using <a href=\"http://www.hillcrest.com/content//tulsarun/5km.htm\">the one for those running the 5K</a>.</div><div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3815538661/\" title=\"Picture 1 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3442/3815538661_c445b02316_o.png\" width=\"336\" height=\"462\" alt=\"Picture 1\" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Well, looky there. I\'m supposed to be on week three already. So, basically, I\'m practically a month behind at this point.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, <a href=\"http://www.runnersworld.com/\">Runner\'s World...Runner\'s World</a>? Help. Please help me, Runner\'s World.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href=\"http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-380-381-386-9397-0,00.html?cm_mmc=beginner-_-2009_08_12-_-beginner-_-TRAINING%3a%20Plan%20a%20Fall%205-K\">The Runner\'s World 8-Week Beginning Runner\'s Training Program: 8 Weeks to Your First 5K</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Ah, that\'s better. In fact, this means I can continue to procrastinate and wait to start training for another couple of weeks. I feel so much better.</div><div><br /></div><div>Know what makes running a little easier? Running with others. It\'s very motivational. I know runners in the 5K race can\'t officially form teams, but in case you haven\'t noticed, I\'m not really into the official way of doing things.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3815478057/\" title=\"tashadoestulsarun09i by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/3815478057_a9696fe50d.jpg\" width=\"310\" height=\"285\" alt=\"tashadoestulsarun09i\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">Who\'s with me? Who wants to race with the unofficial, awesome t-shirt-donning TDTR team in the 5K race come October?</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"mailto:%20tashadoestulsa@gmail.com\">E-mail me</a> before the end of the month - the time when, according to the angels at Runner\'s World, you can wait until to get off your behonkus to start training - if you have the guts to run with a team organized by some blogger chick who can barely break a 12-minute mile. </div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\">See you on the track. That is, in a fortnight - a fortnight of not giving a second thought to the well-being of my calves, poor things. And don\'t forget <a href=\"http://www.tulsarun.com/register.asp\">to register for the Tulsa Run on the TR09 Web site</a>.</div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><br /></div><div style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://www.tulsarun.com/\">Image of the Tulsa Run starting line from TulsaRun.com</a>.</div>','Tasha Does Tulsa Run Training','','publish','open','open','','tasha-does-tulsa-run-training','','','2009-08-12 23:15:00','2009-08-12 23:15:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=245',0,'post','',7),(246,1,'2009-08-14 04:21:00','2009-08-14 04:21:00','Ever hear of that little diner in downtown Tulsa - you know, the one at Second and Elgin?<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3819859070/\" title=\"Second and Elgin, Downtown Tulsa by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2595/3819859070_85d4aab6f2.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Second and Elgin, Downtown Tulsa\" /></a></div><br />No, no. Look the other way.<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 src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2645/3819052417_cb478f883a.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Blue Dome Diner\" /></a></div><br />Ah. That\'s better: <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1619648435&amp;ref=search&amp;sid=1148295116.180063092..1\">The Blue Dome Diner</a>, famous for a breakfast and lunch service for suits and the blue collar crowd alike.<br /><br /><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 src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2602/3819856730_ea7df088eb.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Blue Dome Diner\" /></a></div><br />It\'s as blue and classically Tulsa on the inside as the landmark dome across the street. And, good news: Blue Dome Diner is now open for supper, starting at 5pm Thursday through Saturday.<br /><br />This place is famous for its chicken fried steak, but I also like the breakfast sandwich with the works, with homefries on the side.<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 src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/3819856132_a15f64292b.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Blue Dome Diner\" /></a></div><br />Homefries. Of course.<br /><br />Speaking of homefries:<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3819051033/\" title=\"Blue Dome Diner by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2548/3819051033_5201fd7f11.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Blue Dome Diner\" /></a></div><br />This little homefry doesn\'t fall far from the potato. He digs the Blue Dome Diner as much as I do.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3819858136/\" title=\"Blue Dome Diner by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3566/3819858136_fa8a59479b.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Blue Dome Diner\" /></a></div><br />He likes it so much, in fact, that he needs three (3) pacifiers to subdue his excitement to a level that is socially acceptable.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3819857832/\" title=\"Blue Dome Diner by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2532/3819857832_783940a4d8.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Blue Dome Diner\" /></a></div><br />Yeah, little buddy. I\'m talking about you.<br /><br />The Blue Dome Diner is great for folks with kids. Even though it tends to be packed out, there\'s still plenty of room in the hundreds of square feet-worth of event space to the north of the dining room for kiddos to work off a case of the wiggles.<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 src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3819051461_f7ae7cc051.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Blue Dome Diner\" /></a></div><br />Plus, there\'s a stage. My kid loves a good stage.<br /><br />I\'m just saying, in case you forgot.<br /><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3819857832/\" title=\"Blue Dome Diner by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2532/3819857832_783940a4d8.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Blue Dome Diner\" /></a></div><br />This kid had better get used to eating breakfast with his good ol\' Mom. If I keep up this kind of fun-poking on the Interwebs for too much longer, I\'ll be the only woman he\'ll share his breakfast with for a very long time.<br /><br />At least, with me, he can be confident he\'s eating the best breakfast in town. <div><br /></div><div>Blue Dome Diner is open for breakfast and lunch 7am-2pm Tuesday-Friday, 8am-1:30pm Saturday and Sunday. </div>','Is It Breakfast Time Yet?','','publish','open','open','','is-it-breakfast-time-yet','','','2009-08-14 04:21:00','2009-08-14 04:21:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=246',0,'post','',0),(3087,1,'2010-10-18 14:46:43','2010-10-18 19:46:43','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3077\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/tulsa-oktoberfest/dsc07659/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3077\" title=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC07659-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsaoktoberfest.org/\">OktoberFest Tulsa is upon us</a>. It starts this Thursday at 5pm and runs through 6pm on Sunday, providing Tulsans with a weekend of fun, games, music, food and one other very important thing.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate group=\"2\" banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\nBeer. What I\'m alluding to is lots and lots and lots of delicious, refreshing beer.\r\n\r\nSo, that\'s at least one thing you know to do once you get to RiverWest Festival Park this weekend for Tulsa\'s famous OktoberFest.\r\n\r\nAs for how to get down with the rest of this festival, the one that makes the souls of the beer lovers of this town sing, here\'s a list of the top 10 ways to make the most of one of Tulsa\'s largest outdoor festivals, named by <em>USA Today</em> as one of 10 great places to toast OktoberFest in this wide, wide world.\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Pick a designated driver.</strong> As if this actually needed to be said in a post about Tulsa\'s largest beer festival, but I like to play it safe and so should you. Not only is a DUI case a pain in the butt to deal with should you get caught breaking the law, but it\'s also a great way to take a chance on ruining the lives of some fellow community members. Causing the death of someone\'s family member, a parent or even a child - now that\'s what I call a buzzkill. So, as teacher says, have a good time, but don\'t drink and drive.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3078\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/tulsa-oktoberfest/dsc07658/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3078\" title=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC07658-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Take the kids to Das Jugendzelt (the kids\' tent).</strong> Musicians, storytellers and artists will be on tap to entertain the kiddos while they take part in lots of free arts and crafts projects. <a href=\"http://www.tulsaoktoberfest.org/happenings.php\">Click here for the schedule of musicians in the kids\' tent at this year\'s OktoberFest</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Race a weiner dog.</strong> Or, maybe you\'re game is bier barrel racing. Whatever OktoberFest sport suits your fancy, <a href=\"http://www.tulsaoktoberfest.org/happenings.php\">you can get your fill at this year\'s festival right here in Tulsa</a>. Now you can tell your momma that all that time you spent honing your beer pong skills won\'t go to waste. Bier Barrel Race spectators should tune in Saturday at 1pm, and weiner dog fans should be ready to go at 1pm Sunday. The other games take place throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3079\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/tulsa-oktoberfest/dsc07660/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3079\" title=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC07660.jpg\" alt=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Learn the Polka.</strong> OktoberFest offers a wide variety of entertainment and music, ranging from local bands and performers to authentic German musicians. There\'s fun to be had and music to be heard in just about every tent at the festival and, thanks perhaps to the copious amounts of beer, everyone - and I mean <em>everyone</em> - dances. On my list of acts to see are Brandon Clark Band, the Polka Meisters, the Jambalaya Jass Band and the Gypsy Fire Belly Dancers. See? <a href=\"http://www.tulsaoktoberfest.org/happenings.php\">There\'s a little something for everyone</a>.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3084\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/tulsa-oktoberfest/dsc07697/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3084\" title=\"OktoberFest Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC07697.jpg\" alt=\"OktoberFest Tulsa\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Ride the rides, take a chance. </strong>The best deal on OktoberFest rides happens Friday, Oct. 22, thanks to the EZ Ride Pass. For $15, festival goers looking for a thrill can enjoy an unlimited ride pass that works all over OktoberFest Tulsa. Speaking of hot deals, if you plan to head to OktoberFest on Thursday, be sure to hit the either the <a href=\"http://www.geekrescue.com/index.php\">Geek Rescue</a>, <a href=\"http://www.ktul.com/\">KTUL News Channel 8</a> or <a href=\"http://921thebeat.com/main.html\">92.1 The Beat</a> websites to pick up vouchers that will get you into the festival free of admission.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3080\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/tulsa-oktoberfest/dsc07707/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3080\" title=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC07707.jpg\" alt=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>6. Visit Das Sports Cafe.</strong> I guess The Sports Cafe doesn\'t translate well to the German, but what goes on inside sure translates well to fun. Not only is this the best place to catch the weekend football games thanks to the big screen TVs, but it\'s also the home to a new aspect of the festival: Taps spewing local brew. Be sure to grab plenty of the Oktoberfest-style beer from Marshall Brewing Company, and say hi to the folks in Tulsa from Krebs at Choc Beer Company, too.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs025.snc1/3116_1005921204428_1716858818_6590_104614_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n<strong>7. Do the chicken dance with the Biermeister.</strong> Lovingly known as the main tent among long-time OktoberFest Tulsa goers, Das Bier Garten is that place where everyone from Junior, Jr. to Great-Grandpa can flap their wings and do the chicken dance with the Biermeister (pictured above) on top of a picnic table. The required high-energy music will be provided by bands from Germany while you learn to polka and, if you don\'t already know it, that signature dance of OktoberFest Tulsa inspired by the yard bird we all know and love.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3081\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/tulsa-oktoberfest/dsc07686/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3081\" title=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC07686-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>8. Eat Kartoffelpuffer and Bavarian pretzels.</strong> While you\'re at it, eat some knackwurst and bratwurst from <a href=\"http://www.siegis.com/\">Siegi\'s Sausage Factory</a> with some sauerkraut, along with as much Bavarian-style cheesecake as your can muster. At the second-ever year of OktoberFest Tulsa in 1980, the 100,000 patrons consumed 3,500 pounds - that\'s a ton and a half - of this OktoberFest food stuff. Sissies! Surely the patrons of this year\'s festival can beat that. The nosh is available throughout the festival grounds, but you can\'t turn around in Das Ess Zelt und Garten without refilling your plate with everything from Siegi\'s Sausage to strudel to schnitzel to Ludger\'s cheesecake. <a href=\"http://www.tulsaoktoberfest.org/concessions.php\">Click here for a full list of what\'s cookin\' at this year\'s OktoberFest</a>, complete with pricing. While you might put away more food than you have since the Tulsa State Fair, you won\'t have to eat much to understand why <em><a href=\"http://bonappetit.com/\">Bon Appetit</a></em> voted back in 2005 that OktoberFest Tulsa is the place to get the best Bavarian food.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3082\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/tulsa-oktoberfest/dsc07709/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3082\" title=\"OktoberFest Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC07709-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"OktoberFest Tulsa\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>9. Shop \'til you drop.</strong> While the big-box chain stores are already buttering you up for Christmas shopping, you\'ll be able to boost the local economy by taking home some of the many arts and crafts available for purchase at OktoberFest Tulsa. Don\'t forget the commemorative beer stein and an OktoberFest Tulsa t-shirt. As my friend <a href=\"http://sindyintulsa.blogspot.com/\">Sindy in Tulsa</a> would so lovingly say in her sexy German accent (which is real, by the way - Sindy came to Tulsa straight from the home of lederhosen), \"Tasha, that is so Bavarian.\"\r\n\r\n<strong>10. Get in free.</strong> There are at least four ways to get through the gate at OktoberFest Tulsa this year without paying a dime. Thanks to the dudes at Geek Rescue, admission is free to anyone who presents <a href=\"http://www.tulsaoktoberfest.org/coupon.php\">this OktoberFest coupon on Thursday night</a>. Second, you could pick up the new Wunderbar Pass, which comes with free admission to the festival as well as a 1-liter collector\'s Spaten stein, free round-trip shuttle rides each day of the festival and one free pint of beer each day of the festival (they\'re $30, but knowing how much I\'ve spent on these things at the OktoberFests of the past, I officially declare this to be a hot deal). Third, senior citizens are admitted free on Friday from 11am-4pm. Last but not least, anyone who hasn\'t yet celebrated his or her 13th birthday gets in free all weekend long. That doesn\'t mean that if you didn\'t celebrate your 13th birthday because no one liked you and couldn\'t be bothered with planning you a party that you get in free, though. Sorry about that on both counts.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3083\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/tulsa-oktoberfest/dsc07678/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3083\" title=\"OktoberFest Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC07678-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"OktoberFest Tulsa\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAs if you need more convincing to head to the west bank of the Arkansas this weekend, OktoberFest Tulsa benefits <a href=\"http://www.riverparks.org/\">RiverParks</a>, one of Tulsa\'s most treasured locales and a top tourism attraction for the city, which has benefited from more than $1 million in improvements and enhancements thanks to the festival.\r\n\r\nAdmission to OktoberFest Tulsa this year is $6, and remember, kids age 12 and under get in free. For details on parking, the location of shuttle stops and any other detail not listed here, check out the <a href=\"http://www.tulsaoktoberfest.org/festival.php\">OktoberFest Tulsa Web site</a>.\r\n\r\nCheers!\r\n\r\n<strong>OktoberFest Tulsa</strong>\r\nWhere: River West Festival Park, 2100 S. Jackson Ave.\r\nWhen: Oct. 21 (gates open at 5pm) - Oct. 24\r\nWeb: <a href=\"http://www.tulsaoktoberfest.org/index.php\">TulsaOktoberFest.org</a>','Top 10 Things to Do at OktoberFest Tulsa','Tulsa Oktoberfest is upon us. It starts this Thursday at 5pm and runs through 6pm on Sunday, providing Tulsans with a weekend of fun, games, music, food and one other very important thing.','inherit','open','open','','324-revision-4','','','2010-10-18 14:46:43','2010-10-18 19:46:43','',324,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/324-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(3086,1,'2010-10-18 14:46:43','2010-10-18 19:46:43','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3077\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/10/top-10-things-to-do-at-oktoberfest-2009/dsc07659/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3077\" title=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC07659-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsaoktoberfest.org/\">OktoberFest Tulsa is upon us</a>. It starts this Thursday at 5pm and runs through 6pm on Sunday, providing Tulsans with a weekend of fun, games, music, food and one other very important thing.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[adrotate group=\"2\" banner=\"8\"]</p>\r\nBeer. What I\'m alluding to is lots and lots and lots of delicious, refreshing beer.\r\n\r\nSo, that\'s at least one thing you know to do once you get to RiverWest Festival Park this weekend for Tulsa\'s famous OktoberFest.\r\n\r\nAs for how to get down with the rest of this festival, the one that makes the souls of the beer lovers of this town sing, here\'s a list of the top 10 ways to make the most of one of Tulsa\'s largest outdoor festivals, named by <em>USA Today</em> as one of 10 great places to toast OktoberFest in this wide, wide world.\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Pick a designated driver.</strong> As if this actually needed to be said in a post about Tulsa\'s largest beer festival, but I like to play it safe and so should you. Not only is a DUI case a pain in the butt to deal with should you get caught breaking the law, but it\'s also a great way to take a chance on ruining the lives of some fellow community members. Causing the death of someone\'s family member, a parent or even a child - now that\'s what I call a buzzkill. So, as teacher says, have a good time, but don\'t drink and drive.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3078\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/10/top-10-things-to-do-at-oktoberfest-2009/dsc07658/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3078\" title=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC07658-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Take the kids to Das Jugendzelt (the kids\' tent).</strong> Musicians, storytellers and artists will be on tap to entertain the kiddos while they take part in lots of free arts and crafts projects. <a href=\"http://www.tulsaoktoberfest.org/happenings.php\">Click here for the schedule of musicians in the kids\' tent at this year\'s OktoberFest</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Race a weiner dog.</strong> Or, maybe you\'re game is bier barrel racing. Whatever OktoberFest sport suits your fancy, <a href=\"http://www.tulsaoktoberfest.org/happenings.php\">you can get your fill at this year\'s festival right here in Tulsa</a>. Now you can tell your momma that all that time you spent honing your beer pong skills won\'t go to waste. Bier Barrel Race spectators should tune in Saturday at 1pm, and weiner dog fans should be ready to go at 1pm Sunday. The other games take place throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3079\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/10/top-10-things-to-do-at-oktoberfest-2009/dsc07660/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3079\" title=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC07660.jpg\" alt=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Learn the Polka.</strong> OktoberFest offers a wide variety of entertainment and music, ranging from local bands and performers to authentic German musicians. There\'s fun to be had and music to be heard in just about every tent at the festival and, thanks perhaps to the copious amounts of beer, everyone - and I mean <em>everyone</em> - dances. On my list of acts to see are Brandon Clark Band, the Polka Meisters, the Jambalaya Jass Band and the Gypsy Fire Belly Dancers. See? <a href=\"http://www.tulsaoktoberfest.org/happenings.php\">There\'s a little something for everyone</a>.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3084\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/10/top-10-things-to-do-at-oktoberfest-2009/dsc07697/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3084\" title=\"OktoberFest Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC07697.jpg\" alt=\"OktoberFest Tulsa\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Ride the rides, take a chance. </strong>The best deal on OktoberFest rides happens Friday, Oct. 22, thanks to the EZ Ride Pass. For $15, festival goers looking for a thrill can enjoy an unlimited ride pass that works all over OktoberFest Tulsa. Speaking of hot deals, if you plan to head to OktoberFest on Thursday, be sure to hit the either the <a href=\"http://www.geekrescue.com/index.php\">Geek Rescue</a>, <a href=\"http://www.ktul.com/\">KTUL News Channel 8</a> or <a href=\"http://921thebeat.com/main.html\">92.1 The Beat</a> websites to pick up vouchers that will get you into the festival free of admission.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3080\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/10/top-10-things-to-do-at-oktoberfest-2009/dsc07707/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3080\" title=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC07707.jpg\" alt=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>6. Visit Das Sports Cafe.</strong> I guess The Sports Cafe doesn\'t translate well to the German, but what goes on inside sure translates well to fun. Not only is this the best place to catch the weekend football games thanks to the big screen TVs, but it\'s also the home to a new aspect of the festival: Taps spewing local brew. Be sure to grab plenty of the Oktoberfest-style beer from Marshall Brewing Company, and say hi to the folks in Tulsa from Krebs at Choc Beer Company, too.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs025.snc1/3116_1005921204428_1716858818_6590_104614_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n<strong>7. Do the chicken dance with the Biermeister.</strong> Lovingly known as the main tent among long-time OktoberFest Tulsa goers, Das Bier Garten is that place where everyone from Junior, Jr. to Great-Grandpa can flap their wings and do the chicken dance with the Biermeister (pictured above) on top of a picnic table. The required high-energy music will be provided by bands from Germany while you learn to polka and, if you don\'t already know it, that signature dance of OktoberFest Tulsa inspired by the yard bird we all know and love.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3081\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/10/top-10-things-to-do-at-oktoberfest-2009/dsc07686/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3081\" title=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC07686-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Tulsa OktoberFest\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>8. Eat Kartoffelpuffer and Bavarian pretzels.</strong> While you\'re at it, eat some knackwurst and bratwurst from <a href=\"http://www.siegis.com/\">Siegi\'s Sausage Factory</a> with some sauerkraut, along with as much Bavarian-style cheesecake as your can muster. At the second-ever year of OktoberFest Tulsa in 1980, the 100,000 patrons consumed 3,500 pounds - that\'s a ton and a half - of this OktoberFest food stuff. Sissies! Surely the patrons of this year\'s festival can beat that. The nosh is available throughout the festival grounds, but you can\'t turn around in Das Ess Zelt und Garten without refilling your plate with everything from Siegi\'s Sausage to strudel to schnitzel to Ludger\'s cheesecake. <a href=\"http://www.tulsaoktoberfest.org/concessions.php\">Click here for a full list of what\'s cookin\' at this year\'s OktoberFest</a>, complete with pricing. While you might put away more food than you have since the Tulsa State Fair, you won\'t have to eat much to understand why <em><a href=\"http://bonappetit.com/\">Bon Appetit</a></em> voted back in 2005 that OktoberFest Tulsa is the place to get the best Bavarian food.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3082\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/10/top-10-things-to-do-at-oktoberfest-2009/dsc07709/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3082\" title=\"OktoberFest Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC07709-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"OktoberFest Tulsa\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>9. Shop \'til you drop.</strong> While the big-box chain stores are already buttering you up for Christmas shopping, you\'ll be able to boost the local economy by taking home some of the many arts and crafts available for purchase at OktoberFest Tulsa. Don\'t forget the commemorative beer stein and an OktoberFest Tulsa t-shirt. As my friend <a href=\"http://sindyintulsa.blogspot.com/\">Sindy in Tulsa</a> would so lovingly say in her sexy German accent (which is real, by the way - Sindy came to Tulsa straight from the home of lederhosen), \"Tasha, that is so Bavarian.\"\r\n\r\n<strong>10. Get in free.</strong> There are at least four ways to get through the gate at OktoberFest Tulsa this year without paying a dime. Thanks to the dudes at Geek Rescue, admission is free to anyone who presents <a href=\"http://www.tulsaoktoberfest.org/coupon.php\">this OktoberFest coupon on Thursday night</a>. Second, you could pick up the new Wunderbar Pass, which comes with free admission to the festival as well as a 1-liter collector\'s Spaten stein, free round-trip shuttle rides each day of the festival and one free pint of beer each day of the festival (they\'re $30, but knowing how much I\'ve spent on these things at the OktoberFests of the past, I officially declare this to be a hot deal). Third, senior citizens are admitted free on Friday from 11am-4pm. Last but not least, anyone who hasn\'t yet celebrated his or her 13th birthday gets in free all weekend long. That doesn\'t mean that if you didn\'t celebrate your 13th birthday because no one liked you and couldn\'t be bothered with planning you a party that you get in free, though. Sorry about that on both counts.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-3083\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2009/10/top-10-things-to-do-at-oktoberfest-2009/dsc07678/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3083\" title=\"OktoberFest Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC07678-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"OktoberFest Tulsa\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAs if you need more convincing to head to the west bank of the Arkansas this weekend, OktoberFest Tulsa benefits <a href=\"http://www.riverparks.org/\">RiverParks</a>, one of Tulsa\'s most treasured locales and a top tourism attraction for the city, which has benefited from more than $1 million in improvements and enhancements thanks to the festival.\r\n\r\nAdmission to OktoberFest Tulsa this year is $6, and remember, kids age 12 and under get in free. For details on parking, the location of shuttle stops and any other detail not listed here, check out the <a href=\"http://www.tulsaoktoberfest.org/festival.php\">OktoberFest Tulsa Web site</a>.\r\n\r\nCheers!\r\n\r\n<strong>OktoberFest Tulsa</strong>\r\nWhere: River West Festival Park, 2100 S. Jackson Ave.\r\nWhen: Oct. 21 (gates open at 5pm) - Oct. 24\r\nWeb: <a href=\"http://www.tulsaoktoberfest.org/index.php\">TulsaOktoberFest.org</a>','Top 10 Things to Do at OktoberFest Tulsa','Tulsa Oktoberfest is upon us. It starts this Thursday at 5pm and runs through 6pm on Sunday, providing Tulsans with a weekend of fun, games, music, food and one other very important thing.','inherit','open','open','','324-revision-3','','','2010-10-18 14:46:43','2010-10-18 19:46:43','',324,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/10/324-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2052,1,'2010-09-14 14:19:00','2010-09-14 19:19:00','','Logoish 200','','inherit','open','open','','picture-6-2','','','2010-09-14 14:19:00','2010-09-14 19:19:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Picture-6.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2053,1,'2010-09-14 15:28:19','2010-09-14 20:28:19','','Greek Holiday Winner 2010','','inherit','open','open','','picture-8-2','','','2010-09-14 15:28:19','2010-09-14 20:28:19','',2011,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Picture-8.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2054,1,'2010-09-14 15:28:58','2010-09-14 20:28:58','','Greek Holiday Winner 2010','','inherit','open','open','','picture-9','','','2010-09-14 15:28:58','2010-09-14 20:28:58','',2011,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Picture-9.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2055,1,'2010-09-14 15:32:22','2010-09-14 20:32:22','<strong>UPDATE//</strong>Boys and girls, we have a winner!\n\nOut of the 72 comments that slid in under the 3pm deadline...\n\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2053\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/greek-holiday/picture-8-2/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2053\" title=\"Greek Holiday Winner 2010\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Picture-8.png\" alt=\"Greek Holiday Winner 2010\" width=\"166\" height=\"189\" /></a>\n\nAnd the holder of the 40th entry is...\n\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2054\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/greek-holiday/picture-9/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2054\" title=\"Greek Holiday Winner 2010\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Picture-9.png\" alt=\"Greek Holiday Winner 2010\" width=\"421\" height=\"99\" /></a>\n\nCongrats, Evan! I like the way you think. You have 24 hours to <a href=\"mailto:tasha@tashadoestulsa.com\">e-mail me</a> to claim your prize.\n\nThanks to everyone for playing - see you at <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/\">Greek Holiday</a> this weekend!\n\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2022\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/greek-holiday/dsc07146/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2022\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07146-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://tulsagreekfestival.com/\">Greek Holiday</a>, the festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food, shopping and tours of the beautiful <a href=\"http://holytrinity.ok.goarch.org/\">Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church</a> to Tulsa since 1961, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night, Sept. 16.\n\n<!--more-->Yeah, the kids have gone back to school and football season has started. But fall never really seems at hand until I see the blue and white tent at 12th and Guthrie, just outside of the IDL in downtown Tulsa.\n\nMore years that I\'ve been alive than not, my family hasn\'t missed Greek Holiday. I even went the year I was three months pregnant and so nauseated by the faintest of smells that I could feel the top of my stomach in my knees.\n\nBut I would have given my life for a gyro. Such is the paradox of pregnancy.\n\nLast year was our son\'s third trip, really, since he spent his first Greek Holiday in utero, and it was the first time he ever knew the distinct pleasure of a drippy, crispy, super-sweet slice of baklava made by Tulsa\'s own Greek yayas and theas (Greek for grandmothers and aunts, famous for their skills in the kitchen).\n\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2023\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/greek-holiday/dsc07147/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2023\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07147.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\n\nKiddo might have had a few Kourambiethes (almond-flavored butter cookies sprinkled with powdered sugar), too.\n\nBut he had nothing on what was piled on the adults\' plates: Gyros. Greek souvlaki (shish kabob). An appetizer plate heavy with spanakopita. Calamari.\n\nThat\'s four out of the nine items available on the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday, and where I come from, that\'s no average to sneeze at.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/menu.html\">Click here for the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday 2010 and info about Taverna</a>.\n\nWe also had a box full of treats from the festival bakery. Which included, of course, that dreamy baklava.\n\nThe baklava that you just can\'t get at a grocery store. The kind of baklava that could come only straight from the kitchen of a wise, knowing, feisty Greek woman.\n\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2024\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/greek-holiday/dsc07151/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2024\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07151-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\n\nSome things are sacred. This baklava is one of them.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/bakery.html\">Click here for more info on what\'s available in the bakery at Greek Holiday</a>.\n\nWhile food is my favorite part of practically any festival, there\'s much more to Greek Holiday than just the eats. Greek Holiday is home to some of the most exciting dance performances you\'ll see in Tulsa all year, thanks to its several authentically costumed dance groups. All told, about 80 people are involved in this aspect of the festival, and they range in age from about 4 years old to 80.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance_schedule.html\">Click here for the schedule of dance groups performing at Greek Holiday</a> or <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/dance.html\">here for more about the stories behind the songs and costumes</a>.\n\nThere\'s also a Greek market, Marketa. For sale is anything your little heart could desire from the birthplace of Western civilization, from olive oil and Kalamata olives to stunning, hand-crafted jewelry to the 50th anniversary cookbook of the Holy Trinity parish, <em>Cooking Greek in Tulsa</em>.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/marketa.html\">Click here for more about Marketa and the imported merchandise that\'ll be available at Greek Holiday</a>.\n\nGreek Holiday is also a chance to learn about the Greek Orthodox religion and to find out more about the culture and traditions of the people in the church. Anyone who wanders through Holy Trinity during the festival is welcome to free tours.\n\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2025\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/greek-holiday/dsc07152/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2025\" title=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07152.jpg\" alt=\"Greek Holiday 2009\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" /></a>\n\nAs I mentioned before, yes, I look forward all year to the food on offer at Greek Holiday. But my real favorite part of this festival? That\'s it\'s about family.\n\nNow that it\'s reached its 50th year, multiple generations of the families of this parish have been involved in this festival. As you make your way down the a la carte line, you might be served your gyros and Greek-style potatoes by a grandmother and your Greek salad by her granddaughter. Entire families are involved in the ethnic dances, too, from moms and dads and kids and uncles to grandparents and great-grandparents.\n\nThis festival has, to put it lightly, some serious roots in this city.\n\nIt\'s easy to be part of this historic edition among historic editions of Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival. Admission is just $3, and that\'s only during the evenings and on Saturday. Before 4pm Thursday and Friday, there\'s no admission fee at all. And did I mention that all kids accompanied by an adult get in free?\n\nIt\'s true. They do.\n\nPlus, you have three whole days to make room in your schedule to spend a few hours exploring this event.\n\nLife can be even easier, though. <strong>You could win a gift basket full of Greek Holiday goodies right here at TDT.</strong>\n\nThe basket contains:\n<ul>\n	<li>Dinner tickets for 4 (which includes beverage and free admission to the festival)</li>\n	<li>Two 2010 festival t-shirts</li>\n	<li>50th anniversary edition of the parish cookbook, <em>Cooking Greek for Tulsa</em></li>\n	<li>A box of assorted pastries, including baklava, finikia and kourambiethes</li>\n</ul>\nAll you have to do for your chance to win this basket-o-heaven is <strong>head to the comments section on this post and tell me your favorite Greek food</strong>.\n\nPretty easy, right? I thought so, too.\n\n<strong>You have until tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 14) at 3pm to enter</strong>. I\'ll let <a href=\"http://www.Random.org\">Random.org</a> pick a winner later that afternoon, and I\'ll tack it all on right here as an update to this post.\n\nGood luck, everybody! And you know that I can\'t help but end this post with a big, hearty...\n\nOpa!\n\n<strong>Greek Holiday</strong>\nWhen: Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday, 11am-10pm; Saturday, 11am-10pm\nWhere: 1206 S. Guthrie Ave. (two blocks west of 11th Street and Denver Ave.; if you\'re taking the Broken Arrow Expressway, take the Houston exit)\nWeb: <a href=\"http://www.tulsagreekfestival.com/\">TulsaGreekFestival.com</a>','Greek Holiday: Welcoming Fall with a Tulsa Tradition (Plus, a giveaway)','Greek Holiday, Tulsa\'s premier ethnic festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food and tours of the beautiful Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to Tulsa since 1960, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night. ','inherit','open','open','','2011-autosave','','','2010-09-14 15:32:22','2010-09-14 20:32:22','',2011,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/2011-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(248,1,'2009-08-18 05:40:00','2009-08-18 11:40:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3827529248/\" title=\"Beer Summit and Political Mixer 2009 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/3827529248_d087ddb324_o.png\" width=\"474\" height=\"69\" alt=\"Beer Summit and Political Mixer 2009\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3827370148/\" title=\"Beer Summit &amp; Political Mixer 2009 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2486/3827370148_8cd9037b66_o.png\" width=\"469\" height=\"62\" alt=\"Beer Summit &amp; Political Mixer 2009\" /></a></div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\"  style=\"color:#0000EE;\"><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><br /></span></span></div>In this election season, we Tulsans face a sea of candidates. The number is up to <a href=\"http://krmg.com/cgi-bin/info.cgi?id=3425618&amp;type=event\">19 contenders for mayor, with 22 vying for city council spots</a>. <div><br /></div><div>It\'s tough to wade through all the muck and the yuck to get down to what each candidate is all about - what his or her ideas are on Tulsa\'s social aches and pains, what his or her financial priorities will be and, perhaps most importantly, what is his or her favorite kind of pizza. </div><div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3832156533/\" title=\"Joe Momma\'s Downtown by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2663/3832156533_c851d8e84c.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Joe Momma\'s Downtown\" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I\'m sorry, but I happen to believe that pizza is the judge of all men. Same thing with pie - your favorite kind of pie can tell your life story and your position in debates ranging abortion to gun rights in one bite, flat.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because some poor soul would have to make a heckuva lot of different types of pizzas and pies to decide this race in a way that would satisfy my ignored, deprived inner child, <a href=\"http://www.typros.com/\">Tulsa\'s Young Professionals (TYPros for short)</a> partnered with <a href=\"http://krmg.com/\">AM 740 and FM 102.3 News Talk KRMG</a>, <a href=\"http://www.flytrapmusichall.com/\">Flytrap Event Center</a> and <a href=\"http://urbantulsa.com/\">Urban Tulsa Weekly</a> to bring you, my thirsty T-Town voting friends, the candidate meet-and-greet of your dreams. It all goes down tonight (Tuesday) at Flytrap Music Hall, 514 E. Second Street (that\'s Second and Greenwood), starting at 5:30pm.</div><div><br /></div><div>Voters can make use of the evening by talking face-to-face with candidates in the mayoral and city council races, just in time to give us all a few weeks of soul-searching before we head to the polls for the primaries in September. The general election is Nov. 10.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just think: A favorite among Tulsa\'s music and meet-up venues. The chance to hobnob with the future Tulsa mayor and city councilors. The satisfaction of knowing that you\'re making your mark on local politics. </div><div><br /></div><div>Did I mention there will be free beer at this event? No? Well, I\'m telling you now: Everyone who shows up to this event gets a free sample of beer from the tanks at Tulsa\'s own <a href=\"http://marshallbrewing.com/index.asp\">Marshall Brewing Company</a>. </div><div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3832144941/\" title=\"Beer Summit 2009 - Art by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2662/3832144941_a593637f84.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Beer Summit 2009 - Art\" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Mmm...beer.</div><div><br /></div><div>The event will be a kick-back, relaxed type of deal, so leave your notecards and clip-on ties at home and bring out a little bit of the crazy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Look also for food, a full liquor bar and <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/travis.fite\">live music by Travis Fite</a> at this event. Admission is free, but drinks from the liquor bar are on you.</div><div><br /></div><div>After you chat up your favorite candidates at this first-ever beer summit, turn to these resources for all the election information you could ever need (and more): </div><div><br /></div><div><a href=\"http://krmg.com/\"><b>AM 740 and FM 102.3 News Talk KRMG, especially the KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley</b></a>. KRMG and TYPros will also host a Mayoral Debate at <a href=\"http://jeweltulsa.com/\">Jewel in Brookside</a> on Tuesday, November 3. Listen to KRMG for details.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href=\"http://batesline.com/\"><b>Batesline.com, by political hound Michael Bates</b></a>. He might not grace the pages of Urban Tulsa Weekly any longer, but it\'s still election season, and that means Michael is pounding the pavement for political news in this town and then spilling the beans on his blog - you know, the one city reporters won\'t admit to reading first thing every morning so they\'ll look like they know what they\'re talking about in morning staff meetings.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href=\"http://www.lwvtulsa.org/\"><b>The Tulsa chapter of League of Women Voters</b></a>. Be on the lookout for the League\'s one-of-a-kind Voters\' Guide, to be released before the primaries. The League sends each candidate a battery of questions and then publishes their answers, along with a sort of resume of each contender. There are usually dead-tree versions of the Voters\' Guide floating around, but I hear this one will be published to <a href=\"http://www.lwvtulsa.org/\">the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Tulsa Web site</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Social media sites like <a href=\"http://facebook.com/\">Facebook</a>, <a href=\"http://myspace.com/\">Myspace</a> and <a href=\"http://twitter.com/\">Twitter</a></b>. Social media might be the new kid on the media block (depending on how you look at it), but it is, in my opinion, the best way to look beyond the buzz and see what real people are really saying about everything from candidates\' positions on economic development to where your mayoral pick ate lunch that day. </div><div><br /></div><div>There\'s many more sources of information on the mayoral and city council candidates out there. What are you reading? Where are you listening? What are you watching?</div><div><br /></div><div>Banner art from <a href=\"http://urbantulsa.com/\">Urban Tulsa Weekly</a>.</div><div> </div>','When Politics and Beer Mix','','private','open','open','','when-politics-and-beer-mix','','','2011-04-15 06:06:57','2011-04-15 12:06:57','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=248',0,'post','',0),(249,1,'2009-08-19 19:07:00','2009-08-19 19:07:00','It\'s August in Oklahoma. Now that we don\'t keep our kids in the fields until way down in the fall, it\'s time to put the offspring on the bus and send them back to the classroom.<br /><br />So, while the kids are getting their first dose of the three Rs in three months, you\'re at home celebrating the silence that has erupted in your home by breaking your no-drinks-before-5pm rule.<br /><br />Before you top off your tasty adult beverage, consider this: According to a Charles Schwab Young Adults and Money Survey out earlier this year, 43 percent of young adults feel poorly prepared to invest their money appropriately, with 40 percent feeling unsure how to best decide how to save for the future.<br /><br />Read the rest of <a href=\"http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A27890\">this story in this week\'s edition of Urban Tulsa Weekly</a>.','A Degree in Home Ec','','publish','open','open','','degree-in-home-ec','','','2009-08-19 19:07:00','2009-08-19 19:07:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=249',0,'post','',1),(250,1,'2009-08-19 21:55:00','2009-08-19 21:55:00','<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3838250170/\" title=\"Grilled Cheese: Lola\'s at the Bowery by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/3838250170_a09c97fb91.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Grilled Cheese: Lola\'s at the Bowery\" /></a></div><br />A mere three miles and change from the construction site that has all of downtown atwitter, <a href=\"http://www.lolasatthebowery.com/\">Lola’s at the Bowery</a> is sitting pretty for when the crowds of hungry baseball lovers come toward the big lights.<br /><br />After an 18-month hiatus from what was, during the 2007-2008 months of downtown road improvements and an in-progress BOK Center, a spotty lunchtime crowd, Lola’s is back. With the new Drillers Stadium coming down the pike for early next year, Lola’s owner Susie Palazzo is raring to catch as much business as she can shimmy west down Brady.<br /><br />“People kept calling us, asking if we’d open back up for lunch,” Palazzo said. “We felt that with the Drillers coming, we want to be open for business for that.<br /><br />“Everyone missed our little cafe, that little room. It’s charming. It’s a whole different feel than our main dining room.”<br /><br />Read the rest of this story in <a href=\"http://tulsabusiness.com/industry_article.asp?cID=i&amp;aID=53817866.4627756.643565.9797572.3364664.980&amp;aID2=49496\">this week\'s edition of Food Page in Tulsa Business Journal</a>.<br /><br />For more Lola\'s photos, check out <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/tashadoestulsa\">Tasha Does Tulsa on Flickr</a>.','Power Lunch: Lola\'s at the Bowery','','publish','open','open','','power-lunch-lolas-at-bowery','','','2009-08-19 21:55:00','2009-08-19 21:55:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=250',0,'post','',3),(251,1,'2009-08-20 15:39:00','2009-08-20 15:39:00','Just because Tulsa\'s a bit of a soggy mess after a workweek of rain doesn\'t mean it\'s not a good night to get out of the house and do you some Tulsa. <div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3839477541/\" title=\"Joe Andoe, 100 Shirts for $100 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3512/3839477541_783f629e81.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"334\" alt=\"Joe Andoe, 100 Shirts for $100\" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Head downtown to <a href=\"http://dwellingspaces.net/\">Dwelling Spaces</a>, at 119 S. Detroit, for a hip little art event to benefit Tulsa Girls Art School. Stop in tonight between 6-8pm and score a one-of-a-kind t-shirt hand-painted by <a href=\"http://www.joeandoe.com/\">Tulsa native Joe Andoe</a>. Each shirt is $100, a small price to pay for an original work of art by a painter of Andoe caliber and fame, and every bit of that money goes to TGAS. Come hungry, because <a href=\"http://elotetulsa.com/\">Elote Cafe &amp; Catering</a> will be there with lots of yummies. (Photo from <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=99446947887\">the Dwelling Spaces events page on Facebook</a>.)</div><div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3840301706/\" title=\"Soundproof_082009 by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2645/3840301706_2b02b2bbef.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" alt=\"Soundproof_082009\" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Like good music and drinkable drink specials? Who doesn\'t? Check out <a href=\"http://www.myspace.com/williamjosephmusic\">William Joseph Band</a> at this week\'s edition of <a href=\"http://urbantulsa.com/\">Soundproof, an Urban Tulsa Weekly-sponsored event</a>. Find it free and open to the public at <a href=\"http://tulsapressclub.com/\">Tulsa Press Club</a>, in the historic Atlas Life Building at 415 S. Boston Ave., from 5-7pm. (Photo from <a href=\"http://myspace.com/williamjosephband\">the William Joseph Band Myspace page</a>.)</div><div><br /><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashadoestulsa/3839564761/\" title=\"Trivia Quiz Bowl at Joe Momma\'s by Tasha Does Tulsa, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2637/3839564761_8b5b391e7f_o.jpg\" width=\"312\" height=\"234\" alt=\"Trivia Quiz Bowl at Joe Momma\'s\" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>If you haven\'t heard talk of the trivia craze that\'s hit T-Town in the past several months, then you definitely need to get out more. Start tonight by hitting up <a href=\"http://joemommas.com/\">Joe Momma\'s Pizza, downtown just north of Second and Elgin</a>, at 9pm for some team trivia. Proceeds of the event benefit a new nonprofit organization each week, and tonight it\'s <a href=\"http://operationaware.org/\">Operation Aware</a>. (Photo from <a href=\"http://www.liveeventtrivia.com/Welcome.html\">Live Event Trivia</a>, your go-to source of good trivia times.)</div><div><br /><a onblur=\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShSUVlsA-bI/AAAAAAAABNo/J_vqcp4LXxs/s400/DSC04875.JPG\"><img style=\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZVufRlMtzM/ShSUVlsA-bI/AAAAAAAABNo/J_vqcp4LXxs/s400/DSC04875.JPG\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" /></a></div><div>Break out of downtown and into <a href=\"http://uticasquare.com\">Utica Square at 21st and Utica</a> tonight for its Summer\'s Fifth Night free outdoor concert series. This week features the talents of <a href=\"http://mlcband.net/\">the Tulsa staple Mid-Life Crisis Band</a>. Bring a chair (skip the blanket - it\'s been raining all week, remember?), score some dinner at <a href=\"http://www.pologrill.com/\">Polo Grill</a> or Stonehorse Cafe and be ready to rock at 7pm. </div>','I Love A Rainy Night','','publish','open','open','','i-love-rainy-night','','','2009-08-20 15:39:00','2009-08-20 15:39:00','',0,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?p=251',0,'post','',4),(2058,1,'2010-09-14 15:55:35','2010-09-14 20:55:35','','Ignite Tulsa','','inherit','open','open','','4069780946_11708f0942','','','2010-09-14 15:55:35','2010-09-14 20:55:35','',2044,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/4069780946_11708f0942.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2059,1,'2010-09-14 15:56:15','2010-09-14 20:56:15','','Ignite Tulsa','','inherit','open','open','','4069018757_3c275c47d2','','','2010-09-14 15:56:15','2010-09-14 20:56:15','',2044,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/4069018757_3c275c47d2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2060,1,'2010-09-14 16:04:25','2010-09-14 21:04:25','','Ignite Tulsa','','inherit','open','open','','4069738922_e1dc9c95fe-1','','','2010-09-14 16:04:25','2010-09-14 21:04:25','',2044,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/4069738922_e1dc9c95fe-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2061,1,'2010-09-14 16:05:09','2010-09-14 21:05:09','','Ignite Tulsa','','inherit','open','open','','4069721836_ec247f67b1','','','2010-09-14 16:05:09','2010-09-14 21:05:09','',2044,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/4069721836_ec247f67b1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2062,1,'2010-09-14 16:08:36','2010-09-14 21:08:36','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2059\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2059\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2059\" title=\"Ignite Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/4069018757_3c275c47d2.jpg\" alt=\"Ignite Tulsa\" width=\"500\" height=\"334\" /></a>\n\nIf you\'re the kind of person who reads blogs about what\'s going on in Tulsa, then odds are you probably know all about <a href=\"http://ignitetulsa.org/\">Ignite Tulsa</a>, or you\'ve at least heard of it.\n\nIn case you haven\'t, though, here\'s the scoop: <strong>Ignite Tulsa is a self-described open mic night for geeks</strong>.\n\n<!--more-->To me, it\'s like a blog written by a bunch of different people who really get a thrill out of divulging their life- and career-hacking secrets to a group of strangers and friends alike, all in real-time.\n\nIt\'s also the best networking event in the city right now, but you know what? I hate the term \"networking event.\" So I won\'t say that. Let\'s just say that it\'s a huge party with a microphone, some bright lights and a camera in the middle, and that all the cool kids - including you, TDT readers - are invited.\n\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2060\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2060\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2060\" title=\"Ignite Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/4069738922_e1dc9c95fe-1.jpg\" alt=\"Ignite Tulsa\" width=\"334\" height=\"500\" /></a>\n\nAt the center of the event are nearly 20 speakers as they do their best to get through their five-minute talks without falling behind the automagic slide advancer, which does its thing every 15 seconds. At the top of the heap is <a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/jackfrank1\">local filmmaker Jack Frank</a> with his talk, <em>Stuff That\'s Gone: Lost Tulsa Icons</em>. I have it on good authority that he\'ll talk a great deal about <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/admiral-twin-drive-in-burns/\">the late Admiral Twin Drive-In</a>. The award-winning <a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/talkradiojoe\">Joe Kelley of the KRMG Morning News</a> will lead the event as its emcee.\n\nTopics of other speakers\' talks range from genetic mutations to yo-yos to kicking ass to robots to the importance of small adventures. My talk will be about hacking into the best of what your city has to offer, whether it\'s Tulsa or not.\n\nBut it should be Tulsa. Because, well, read this blog.\n\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2061\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2061\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2061\" title=\"Ignite Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/4069721836_ec247f67b1.jpg\" alt=\"Ignite Tulsa\" width=\"500\" height=\"334\" /></a>\n\nWe also do arts and crafts with common office supplies at Ignite Tulsa.\n\nThat\'s how we roll.\n\n<strong>General admission tickets are sold out at this point, but VIP tickets are still available.</strong>\n\nFr $14.97, VIP ticket holders get the following:\n\n<strong>Prime seating</strong>. You\'ll be able to see the whites of my eyes and whether or not <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/08/the-spa-tulsa/\">my pesky ninja chin hair</a> makes a surprise appearance during my talk from where you\'ll be sitting. And if I choke, you\'ll be the first to know that I\'m a sweaty nervous person. That\'s close, baby - real close.\n\n<strong>Extra beer tickets</strong>. Ignite attendees get two beer tickets, but you\'ll have more. Which automatically makes you cooler and mightier than everyone else there. You could carry a jewel-encrusted staff and subjugate your fellow Ignite attendees accordingly.\n\n<strong>Recognition at the event</strong>. Here\'s your chance at 15 minutes of fame. Actually, it might be more like 15 seconds, but still. It\'ll count.\n\n<strong>Good karma</strong>. All proceeds of VIP ticket sales benefit the Admiral Twin rebuilding effort.\n\nSo what are you waiting for? Grab your VIP tickets to Ignite 3. All of your wildest dreams will come true.\n\nExcept the one about the three-story Thundercats birthday cake topped with glitter and 150,000 slap bracelets. You know - the one that you\'ve wanted since you were five? That\'s never going to happen. Not on my watch. Because this is a <a href=\"http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/barbie-doll-cake/Detail.aspx\">Barbie dress cake</a> kind of universe, man. Barbie dress cakes for the win!\n\nIf you want to help in the rebuilding effort and score tickets to this sold out Ignite event at the same time, spend $14.97 - you know, roughly what you spent at the bar on two measly drinks and a tip Saturday night - and get a ticket to the top.\n\nOr, if you\'re lucky, <strong>you can win a pair of tickets, right here at TDT</strong>.\n\nHow? <strong>Head to the comments section of this post and tell me about your favorite birthday cake ever.</strong> Don\'t ask why, especially when it comes to birthday cake. It\'s just to just go with the flow when it comes to these kinds of matters.\n\nYou have until tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept. 15) at 11am to enter. I\'ll pick a winner Wednesday afternoon.\n\nGood luck! And starting thinking about what you could speak about at Ignite Tulsa 4. Submissions will be due before you can say \"I want a that-floozy-Midge-needs-to-keep-her-hands-off-of-Ken cake for my birthday.\"','Ignite Tulsa 3: Get a ring-side seat.','Ignite Tulsa is a self-described open mic night for geeks. To me, it\'s like a blog written by a bunch of different people who really get a thrill out of divulging their life- and career-hacking secrets to a group of strangers and friends alike, all in real-time.','inherit','open','open','','2044-revision-2','','','2010-09-14 16:08:36','2010-09-14 21:08:36','',2044,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/2044-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2063,1,'2010-09-14 16:09:02','2010-09-14 21:09:02','<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2059\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2059\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2059\" title=\"Ignite Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/4069018757_3c275c47d2.jpg\" alt=\"Ignite Tulsa\" width=\"500\" height=\"334\" /></a>\r\n\r\nIf you\'re the kind of person who reads blogs about what\'s going on in Tulsa, then odds are you probably know all about <a href=\"http://ignitetulsa.org/\">Ignite Tulsa</a>, or you\'ve at least heard of it.\r\n\r\nIn case you haven\'t, though, here\'s the scoop: <strong>Ignite Tulsa is a self-described open mic night for geeks</strong>.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->To me, it\'s like a blog written by a bunch of different people who really get a thrill out of divulging their life- and career-hacking secrets to a group of strangers and friends alike, all in real-time.\r\n\r\nIt\'s also the best networking event in the city right now, but you know what? I hate the term \"networking event.\" So I won\'t say that. Let\'s just say that it\'s a huge party with a microphone, some bright lights and a camera in the middle, and that all the cool kids - including you, TDT readers - are invited.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2060\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2060\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2060\" title=\"Ignite Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/4069738922_e1dc9c95fe-1.jpg\" alt=\"Ignite Tulsa\" width=\"334\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAt the center of the event are nearly 20 speakers as they do their best to get through their five-minute talks without falling behind the automagic slide advancer, which does its thing every 15 seconds. At the top of the heap is <a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/jackfrank1\">local filmmaker Jack Frank</a> with his talk, <em>Stuff That\'s Gone: Lost Tulsa Icons</em>. I have it on good authority that he\'ll talk a great deal about <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/admiral-twin-drive-in-burns/\">the late Admiral Twin Drive-In</a>. The award-winning <a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/talkradiojoe\">Joe Kelley of the KRMG Morning News</a> will lead the event as its emcee.\r\n\r\nTopics of other speakers\' talks range from genetic mutations to yo-yos to kicking ass to robots to the importance of small adventures. My talk will be about hacking into the best of what your city has to offer, whether it\'s Tulsa or not.\r\n\r\nBut it should be Tulsa. Because, well, read this blog.\r\n\r\n<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-2061\" href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=2061\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2061\" title=\"Ignite Tulsa\" src=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/4069721836_ec247f67b1.jpg\" alt=\"Ignite Tulsa\" width=\"500\" height=\"334\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe also do arts and crafts with common office supplies at Ignite Tulsa.\r\n\r\nThat\'s how we roll.\r\n\r\n<strong>General admission tickets are sold out at this point, but VIP tickets are still available.</strong>\r\n\r\nFr $14.97, VIP ticket holders get the following:\r\n\r\n<strong>Prime seating</strong>. You\'ll be able to see the whites of my eyes and whether or not <a href=\"http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/08/the-spa-tulsa/\">my pesky ninja chin hair</a> makes a surprise appearance during my talk from where you\'ll be sitting. And if I choke, you\'ll be the first to know that I\'m a sweaty nervous person. That\'s close, baby - real close.\r\n\r\n<strong>Extra beer tickets</strong>. Ignite attendees get two beer tickets, but you\'ll have more. Which automatically makes you cooler and mightier than everyone else there. You could carry a jewel-encrusted staff and subjugate your fellow Ignite attendees accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong>Recognition at the event</strong>. Here\'s your chance at 15 minutes of fame. Actually, it might be more like 15 seconds, but still. It\'ll count.\r\n\r\n<strong>Good karma</strong>. All proceeds of VIP ticket sales benefit the Admiral Twin rebuilding effort.\r\n\r\nSo what are you waiting for? Grab your VIP tickets to Ignite 3. All of your wildest dreams will come true.\r\n\r\nExcept the one about the three-story Thundercats birthday cake topped with glitter and 150,000 slap bracelets. You know - the one that you\'ve wanted since you were five? That\'s never going to happen. Not on my watch. Because this is a <a href=\"http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/barbie-doll-cake/Detail.aspx\">Barbie dress cake</a> kind of universe, man. Barbie dress cakes for the win!\r\n\r\nIf you want to help in the rebuilding effort and score tickets to this sold out Ignite event at the same time, spend $14.97 - you know, roughly what you spent at the bar on two measly drinks and a tip Saturday night - and get a ticket to the top.\r\n\r\nOr, if you\'re lucky, <strong>you can win a pair of tickets, right here at TDT</strong>.\r\n\r\nHow? <strong>Head to the comments section of this post and tell me about your favorite birthday cake ever.</strong> Don\'t ask why, especially when it comes to birthday cake. It\'s just to just go with the flow when it comes to these kinds of matters.\r\n\r\nYou have until tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept. 15) at 11am to enter. I\'ll pick a winner Wednesday afternoon.\r\n\r\nGood luck! And starting thinking about what you could speak about at Ignite Tulsa 4. Submissions will be due before you can say \"I want a that-floozy-Midge-needs-to-keep-her-hands-off-of-Ken cake for my birthday.\"','Ignite Tulsa 3: Get a ring-side seat.','Ignite Tulsa is a self-described open mic night for geeks. To me, it\'s like a blog written by a bunch of different people who really get a thrill out of divulging their life- and career-hacking secrets to a group of strangers and friends alike, all in real-time. Wanna come?','inherit','open','open','','2044-revision-3','','','2010-09-14 16:09:02','2010-09-14 21:09:02','',2044,'http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/2044-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),