Mayor Kathy Taylor has a plan. A $2 billion plan to widen city streets in Tulsa. Five of them. In south Tulsa.
Never mind how narrow the streets are in midtown, specifically Peoria between 21st and 31st, Lewis Ave. from 15th south to about 51st, and sections of Utica, Harvard, and Yale in midtown. So the city has decided to widen roads where the roads are already more manageable than midtown. We midtown-ers appreciate that, very much...assholes.
The best part and highlight of the whole road-widening drama is Councilor Bill Christiansen's (who is a big cock, by the way) comments as quoted to Fox 23 news,
"The citizens in south Tulsa pay a lot in taxes, they live in big homes and I think at the end of the day, if you look at the quality of life issue we need to widen the streets in south Tulsa."
If this isn't his "let-them-eat-cake moment", I'm not sure what else will be. The lack of outcry from the residents in the neighborhood south of Utica Square is bizarre and lost on me. It's almost as if dividing lines have been drawn between south, mid and north, and the councilor isn't even trying to disguise whose side he's on.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Tulsa Drillers New Home
I have to give city leaders their due on a great choice for the new location of the Tulsa Drillers ball park. It was originally reported the ball park would be in the east village of downtown (1st-6th and Elgin), but now it is being reported the new ball park will be north of there, around the intersection of Archer St and Greenwood.
This is a great choice. It allows more venues and restaurants to open up in the east village, yet still maintains its vicinity to those same establishments (i.e. El Guapo's Cantina and McNellie's). This should work out great for the city, particularly downtown Tulsa. And if the folks in Jenks and Bixby have a problem with it, oh well. They can stay home.
This is a great choice. It allows more venues and restaurants to open up in the east village, yet still maintains its vicinity to those same establishments (i.e. El Guapo's Cantina and McNellie's). This should work out great for the city, particularly downtown Tulsa. And if the folks in Jenks and Bixby have a problem with it, oh well. They can stay home.
Big Splash in Hot Water?
Various Tulsa news outlets are reporting that the Big Splash water park (21st & Yale) is some nine months past due on their annual rent payment of approximately $130,000. Which, really isn't surprising. I mean, who still goes there?A few weeks ago Big Splash was gotten on to by the Labor Department citing rotten support beams for their two tallest slides, and were ordered to shut them down until replacing the slimy slats. So again I ask, who still goes there?
Maybe it will only be a matter of time before Big Splash goes the way of Bell's Amusement park (although for very different reasons), which should be a triumph for the city of Tulsa in my own very personal opinion, but I don't get to make the decisions.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
So we’re roughly five or so weeks from Tulsa’s annual DFest celebration in downtown Tulsa.
Initially, when the “national headliners” were announced, I was disappointed. I mean, I try not to be a music snob, but how can one go from The Flaming Lips to All-American Rejects?
Maybe it was the word traveling the streets and bars of Tulsa that My Morning Jacket and/or Arcade Fire could be gracing the main stage on July 25 and 26. Maybe it was the fact every other music festival, including American Eagle’s (yes, that American Eagle) pulled together unbelievable lineups this year.
Maybe it’s because I didn’t see the big picture.
As far as Oklahoma is concerned there are only a handful of acts that could probably out sale the Rejects when it comes to the possibly targeted MTV generation for ticket sales. Since David Cook, Carrie Underwood and the Jonas Brothers are out of the picture, the leaders behind DFest could have pursued Hanson. And who knows, maybe they did or they are planning on them next year.
Odds are I’ll catch one Rejects song. I can appreciate them for being an Oklahoma band that is making millions of dollars living the life we all wish we could at some point.
I can say the same for Paramore. They are also a Grammy-nominated band that will draw the same type of crowd and sale tickets to the teenagers who will miss out on great music inside many of the area bars.
As for the rest of the “national headliners”, you’ll find me watching every second of the Roots, Phantom Planet, Ghostland Observatory and possibly even Ty England and the Disco Biscuits if scheduling permits it.
My suggestion would be to not get caught up in all the national acts and make sure you check out the numerous “emerging artists”, which is what DFest is built upon.
Colourmusic, El Paso Hot Button, Vandevander, Mayola, Sheree Chamberlain, Matt Stansberry Band are among the acts I hope I’m not forced to miss.
So as upset as I was initially with the lineup for DFest, I can now say with the weekend fest right around the corner, I’m actually excited to be returning.
I’m sure there are some who are still upset with the lineup, but that’s the nature of the beast. If it’s good for Tulsa and creates a good time for me, then I’m down. And as long as the bars are serving up the cold beverages and there are numerous great acts to catch, I’m sure I’ll have a good time without evening realizing the Rejects are on stage.
For more info on Dfest, including a complete lineup, visit DFest.com.
Oh, and remember how I mentioned American Eagle was having a music fest? Well headliner Bob Dylan (yes, that Bob Dylan) will be gracing the stage of the Brady Theater on Aug. 27.
Now, that’s a headliner I’m not going to miss when he visits T-Town.
~The Great, Irreplaceable Lando!
Initially, when the “national headliners” were announced, I was disappointed. I mean, I try not to be a music snob, but how can one go from The Flaming Lips to All-American Rejects?
Maybe it was the word traveling the streets and bars of Tulsa that My Morning Jacket and/or Arcade Fire could be gracing the main stage on July 25 and 26. Maybe it was the fact every other music festival, including American Eagle’s (yes, that American Eagle) pulled together unbelievable lineups this year.
Maybe it’s because I didn’t see the big picture.
As far as Oklahoma is concerned there are only a handful of acts that could probably out sale the Rejects when it comes to the possibly targeted MTV generation for ticket sales. Since David Cook, Carrie Underwood and the Jonas Brothers are out of the picture, the leaders behind DFest could have pursued Hanson. And who knows, maybe they did or they are planning on them next year.
Odds are I’ll catch one Rejects song. I can appreciate them for being an Oklahoma band that is making millions of dollars living the life we all wish we could at some point.
I can say the same for Paramore. They are also a Grammy-nominated band that will draw the same type of crowd and sale tickets to the teenagers who will miss out on great music inside many of the area bars.
As for the rest of the “national headliners”, you’ll find me watching every second of the Roots, Phantom Planet, Ghostland Observatory and possibly even Ty England and the Disco Biscuits if scheduling permits it.
My suggestion would be to not get caught up in all the national acts and make sure you check out the numerous “emerging artists”, which is what DFest is built upon.
Colourmusic, El Paso Hot Button, Vandevander, Mayola, Sheree Chamberlain, Matt Stansberry Band are among the acts I hope I’m not forced to miss.
So as upset as I was initially with the lineup for DFest, I can now say with the weekend fest right around the corner, I’m actually excited to be returning.
I’m sure there are some who are still upset with the lineup, but that’s the nature of the beast. If it’s good for Tulsa and creates a good time for me, then I’m down. And as long as the bars are serving up the cold beverages and there are numerous great acts to catch, I’m sure I’ll have a good time without evening realizing the Rejects are on stage.
For more info on Dfest, including a complete lineup, visit DFest.com.
Oh, and remember how I mentioned American Eagle was having a music fest? Well headliner Bob Dylan (yes, that Bob Dylan) will be gracing the stage of the Brady Theater on Aug. 27.
Now, that’s a headliner I’m not going to miss when he visits T-Town.
~The Great, Irreplaceable Lando!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
How Do Tulsa Criminals Get Guns?
They take them from police cars (well, this one particular criminal at least).
In related criminal news, the Broken Arrow Representative that championed legislation allowing health insurers to not cover autisim treatments in Oklahoma has announced his plans to remove himself from the Oklahoma Congress. Why his insistence on helping health insurance companies? Maybe its the fact they have given him over $20,000 in campaign and personal finances. Read more here, and he probably is the crook he says he isn't.
'Til next time...
In related criminal news, the Broken Arrow Representative that championed legislation allowing health insurers to not cover autisim treatments in Oklahoma has announced his plans to remove himself from the Oklahoma Congress. Why his insistence on helping health insurance companies? Maybe its the fact they have given him over $20,000 in campaign and personal finances. Read more here, and he probably is the crook he says he isn't.
'Til next time...
Friday, May 23, 2008
Not-Really-Tulsa's American Idol Winner
David Cook won this year's season of everyone's favorite grand-stand karaoke contest and immediately earned his spot in the hearts of teenage girls, 40-year old gay men, and middle-age mothers desperately clinging to their ill-conceived notions of cool. Congratulations, I suppose. Thanks for playing. I'll try not to mention the fact he completely emo-ed, Nickelback-ed, and 30 Seconds to Mars-ed one the greatest songs ever:
I know, right? A complete abortion.
This entire season of American Idol the Tulsa media has been on their respective knees consistently, passionately, and lovingly performing a great deal of fellatio on everyone's new favorite Tulsa-transplant--David Cook.
The Urban Tulsa Weekly featured him, Carrie Underwood and some 4th-rate reality stars on the cover of the May 14th issue. Even the Urban Tulsa Weekly, a publication generally regarded as Tulsa's "independent weekly" has fallen in love with the goofy-smiled (yet seemingly humble) crooner (and Beatles destroyer).
David Cook isn't even from Tulsa! Jesus. Did he live here after graduating college? Yes, does that make him from here? Hardly. He was born in Houston and raised in Blue Springs, Missouri. According to Wikipedia, he moved to Tulsa after college graduation to pursue a career in music. Which is a completely fucking insane decision. He must have thought Bob Wills still kicked ass here weekly. Poor guy.
So he played in some bands, tended some bar and other neat shit, made some friends, etc. And now everyone in Tulsa can't get enough of him, like they're going to run into his parents at Target.
It just speaks to the importance Tulsa wished it had. After the devastating cyclone in Myanmar, and the earthquake in China, a few news article popped up with headlines similar to this made up one:
Tulsa's Chinese Connection
Here are some examples: here and here.
Those are just two examples how the Tulsa and Oklahoma media tries to interject the state into every single national or world event that occurs. One of those articles is somewhat interesting, but neither of them are particularly relevant.
We are the kids in the sandbox urinating a love note for our teacher screaming for her to pay attention to us. We just aren't that important, and no matter how much we pretend, we can't change people's origin. No matter how many people tell you they had a beer or bummed a smoke from David Cook, he just didn't grow up here--but we'll gladly accept and welcome him (even retrospectively) because that's what kind of people Oklahomans are (as long as you aren't gay or a minority). So welcome, David Cook, as a Tulsa resident--just please give the Beatles a rest.
I know, right? A complete abortion.
This entire season of American Idol the Tulsa media has been on their respective knees consistently, passionately, and lovingly performing a great deal of fellatio on everyone's new favorite Tulsa-transplant--David Cook.
The Urban Tulsa Weekly featured him, Carrie Underwood and some 4th-rate reality stars on the cover of the May 14th issue. Even the Urban Tulsa Weekly, a publication generally regarded as Tulsa's "independent weekly" has fallen in love with the goofy-smiled (yet seemingly humble) crooner (and Beatles destroyer).
David Cook isn't even from Tulsa! Jesus. Did he live here after graduating college? Yes, does that make him from here? Hardly. He was born in Houston and raised in Blue Springs, Missouri. According to Wikipedia, he moved to Tulsa after college graduation to pursue a career in music. Which is a completely fucking insane decision. He must have thought Bob Wills still kicked ass here weekly. Poor guy.
So he played in some bands, tended some bar and other neat shit, made some friends, etc. And now everyone in Tulsa can't get enough of him, like they're going to run into his parents at Target.
It just speaks to the importance Tulsa wished it had. After the devastating cyclone in Myanmar, and the earthquake in China, a few news article popped up with headlines similar to this made up one:
Tulsa's Chinese Connection
Here are some examples: here and here.
Those are just two examples how the Tulsa and Oklahoma media tries to interject the state into every single national or world event that occurs. One of those articles is somewhat interesting, but neither of them are particularly relevant.
We are the kids in the sandbox urinating a love note for our teacher screaming for her to pay attention to us. We just aren't that important, and no matter how much we pretend, we can't change people's origin. No matter how many people tell you they had a beer or bummed a smoke from David Cook, he just didn't grow up here--but we'll gladly accept and welcome him (even retrospectively) because that's what kind of people Oklahomans are (as long as you aren't gay or a minority). So welcome, David Cook, as a Tulsa resident--just please give the Beatles a rest.
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