David Morris at NewsOk.tv has an interesting update on the Carnegie Library project. To recap, Judy Hatfield bought the old downtown library when the new Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library opened a few years ago. And it sounds like she’s getting very close to starting up conversion of the building into retail and condominiums.
August 2008
Monthly Archive
This picture is floating around the Internet today. The moving vans for the “unnamed” OKC NBA team arrived downtown yesterday, and an official name announcement is expected this week.
This. May. Be. The. Worst. Kept. Secret. Ever.
Read about it here. There’s always so much to do - get the cable guy out, enroll the kids in school, sign up for that RSVP welcome basket, meet the neighbors, and of course, unpack all those boxes.
Now, first, most important - where’s that basketball?
Temperatures in the low 90s, not much wind … yeah, it’s not a bad night to catch Cocktails on the Skyline of the rooftop of the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. The weekly gathering runs 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with music starting at 6:30 p.m. Galleries, meanwhile, stay open until 9 p.m.
Music this week is by Rexall Rangers. To sign up for Thursday roof terrace alerts, email Leslie Spears at lspears@okcmoa.com.
Urban Neighbors September Social at Gaijin Sushi
September 11, 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
The U.N.’s September social event is at Gaijin Sushi. Free appetizers and a cash bar will be provided. Come out and meet your neighbors!
Rack Up Downtown! Grand Launch on September 10
Downtown OKC and Urban Neighbors invites you to the Rack Up Downtown! Grand Launch event on Wednesday, September 10 at 9:30 AM; NW corner of Mickey Mantle & Sheridan. Get complete information on this Urban Neighbors initiative.
Downtown Walkability and Bikeability
The Downtown Strategic Initiative (DSI) is a public process facilitated by the City of OKC Planning Department to prioritize the next steps for the continued revitalization of Downtown. Currently, the topic of “Movin’ Around” Downtown is being looked at.
What are your concerns about walking and cycling Downtown? What is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed? Please send your ideas and comments to mgibbs@urbanneighbors.org so that Urban Neighbors can effectively contribute to this process.
What to do down by the river?
The Chesapeake Boathouse offers a lot to downtowners. Learn to row, rent a kayak or a bike, take your group dragon boating, take a yoga/pilates class, or use the gym.
Other U.N. Websites
Facebook
MySpace
Take a class downtown!
The Downtown College Consortium, located in the downtown library, offers several interesting classes. Spanish, Ballroom Cancing, Tai Chi, and more! Check out what they have to offer.
Downtown’s Ward 6 Seat Open
With Ann Simank’s departure, Oklahoma City council seat 6 is open. Elections to fill the seat will be held November 4.
Upcoming Downtown Events
Through August 30, Romantic Materialism at Untitled Gallery
Wednesdays: Downtown Farmer’s Market
Thursdays: Noon Tunes and the Downtown Library
August 28 2008 Sundance Short Films, Oklahoma City Museum of Art
August 28-30 Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park
September 1 McNellie’s Pint Night
September 2-6 Mama Mia! at the Civic Center
September 4, 6:00 PM Stilettos Art Show, Gaijin Sushi @ Park and Harvey
September 5 United Way 2008 Campaign Kickoff Pancake Breakfast
September 5 Josh Cruise Duo, Nonna’s Purple Bar
Complete list of downtown events
Urban Neighbors Hosts Its First National Night Out Event
The UN hosted Downtown police and fire officers at Gaijin Sushi on Tuesday evening, August 5. This was the 25th National Night Out which is a proven and enjoyable program to promote neighborhood spirit and community partnerships, and Urban Neighbors was proud to participate for the first time.
We greatly appreciate the work these dedicated public servants do to protect our Downtown community and we would like to thank Lt Kevin Barnes and Sgt Howell and Officer Garey of the new OCPD evening bike patrol plus all the Green Shift at Fire Station # 1 for attending, including Batalion Chief Cothran, Cpl Bruehl, Cpt Storx, Sgt Blankinship, Cpl Coon, Frec Reeves, Lt Stuart, Cpl Pyle, Cpl Wikersham, Sgt Stewart, Cpl Gilbert, FF Edgerton and Sgt Jackson. Thanks also to Cristian Clay of Gaijin Sushi for his kind hospitality and very generous donations of refreshments for the officers.
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Norick Downtown Library are teaming up to present Roman Art Family Day. Families can visit the Museum to view the exhibition and enjoy fun-filled activities for all ages, including hands-on art, face painting, a dress up area, mini-tours, and scavenger hunts in the galleries, door prizes, and free Little Caesars® Pizza from noon to 1:00 p.m. Then, beginning at 1:00 p.m., the Romans will invade the Downtown Library with more family fun! Both the Museum and Library will host a gladiator parade and Roman play, presented by are fabulous friends at the Oklahoma Children’s Theater, as well as puppet shows and storytelling.Event sponsors include the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library; Oklahoma Children’s Theatre; Little Caesars® Pizza/Magnum Foods, Inc.; Remington Park; and others. All activities at the Museum of Art are included in the price of Museum admission: $12 adults, $10 students/seniors, and free to members and children ages 5 and under. There is no charge to participate in activities at the Downtown Library.
October 3. This beer-tasting event features more than 70 import and domestic beers. Spend the evening sampling beverages from across the globe along with heavy hors d’oeuvres from area restaurants, including Adobe Grill, Old Germany Restaurant, Cafe Nova, McNellie’s Public House, the Museum Cafe and more. Enjoy tastings throughout the Museum’s main lobby and theater lobby, listen to the group Who’s Joe Fazzio?, and visit the special exhibition, 
The OSU-OKC Farmers’ Market continues to draw bigger crowds to downtown’s Couch Park, located between Broadway and Robert S. Kerr Avenue, adjacent to Kerr Park and just west of the Skirvin Hilton Hotel. The market is open every Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., through September 24. The downtown market is a partnership between OSU-OKC and Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc.
The OSU-OKC Farmers’ Market is a member of the Oklahoma Grown Farmers Market program, registered with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Every item sold at the market is grown or made in Oklahoma. Items available include produce, dairy, eggs, meats, nuts, baked items and processed foods - many of which are certified organic. 
In addition to a wide array of food items, the Market offers plant materials, fresh cut flowers, and a variety of handmade skin care and craft items. For more information, visit www.osuokc.edu/farmersmarket.
Visitors will also enjoy entertainment, as well as cooking demonstrations by some of Downtown’s most notable chefs including The Skirvin Hilton’s executive chef Andrew Black.
I guess it’s no big deal to share some shots I took last night during the debut party for Oklahoma Today’s all OKC issue at the new Iguana Mexican Grill at NW 9 and Broadway.
Have fun and spot the downtown players … my spottings included Greg Banta visiting with Mickey Clagg (now that’s a discussion I’d like to listen in on), Bert Belanger, who was accompanied by a Houston apartment developer (just visiting, I’m sure), Chris and Meg Salyer, who I’ll bet are simply bewildered by the idea that Steve Mason has taken properties on the verge of collapse and spent millions to bring them back to life (this inside joke is a test on how much you know about the history of Automobile Alley), architect Rand Elliott and his wife Jeanette (still waiting to see what Kerr Park will look like), MidTown’s Arturo Chavez (quit following me!), the usual gang from Downtown Oklahoma City Inc., Skirvin Hilton General Manager John Williams, that crazy river guy Pat Downes, and many more.
Final note: Ah… free food and drink. Sure fire way to get a reporter in the room. This issue of Oklahoma Today is really impressive - it’s a nice recap of what’s going on downtown and throughout the city.
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deadCENTER Film
Having end of summer blues? Celebrate with deadCENTER Film and XO LOUNGE. The first Wednesday of every month, independent filmmakers showcase their short films during shortsSUITES. The XO Lounge is located on the lower level of the Colcord Hotel; doors open at 8:00pm and films start at 8:15pm. Admission is FREE and you must be 21 to enter.
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Art Escape Getaway
For a limited time, The Colcord is offering the ART ESCAPE PACKAGE in celebration with Oklahoma City Museum of Art and the special collection of Roman Art from the Louvre.
Until October 12, the ART ESCAPE PACKAGE is available which includes a night’s stay in an Executive King room, tickets to the Museum, complimentary self-parking and 1:00pm late check-out. Upgraded room types available.
OKLAHOMA CITY is the last North American venue for this special exhibition. So, book your Roman-tic getaway or Rome downtown with the Colcord and OKC Museum of Art. Packages available ONLINE or by calling 405.601.4300. |
