About.com Oklahoma City

Oklahoma Gift Options

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:40:29 +0000

With the days of frenzied gift giving coming quite rapidly, many of us are already contemplating our shopping strategies and Black Friday gameplan. Typically, we're thinking department stores and shopping malls. But it's too easy to forget the often-more-unique local gift options.

For example, if you haven't ever checked out Science Museum Oklahoma's Science Shop, you're missing out on a world of gift opportunities for young and old alike. And to entice you just a little bit, the Science Shop will be offering discounts, door prizes and even a continental breakfast from 7-9 a.m. on Black Friday.

And here's another option I read about. Frontier Country, central Oklahoma's tourism agency, has the "Tast'n & Tour'n" cookbook with 200 recipes from cities, restaurants and attractions in the central part of the state. Featured are Chunky Chicken Chili from Eskimo Joe's, Indian Tacos from the Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival and something called "chocolate gravy," which sounds just disgusting enough to be excellent. The cookbook is only $12.50 and can be purchased by calling (800) 386-6552 or (405) 232-6552.

_{Photo � Science Museum Oklahoma}

Oklahoma Gift Options originally appeared on About.com Oklahoma City on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 12:40:29.

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Weekend Highlights: 11/20-11/22

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:07:53 +0000

Ah, the holidays. We're less than a week away from Thanksgiving now, and it's time to get into the spirit. One great way to do that is to check out the annual holiday lighting displays. Both the Midwest City Holiday Lights Spectacular and Yukon's Christmas in the Park begin this weekend.

Elsewhere, Riverwind Casino's ShowPlace Theatre has a couple of shows this weekend. The Gin Blossoms will perform on Friday night, and Peter Noone & Herman Hermits are there on Saturday. Get venue and ticket information here on About.com.

The Civic Center Music Hall is the site for a musical that perfect for the entire family. The classic Laura Ingalls Wilder books and television series come to the stage with "Little House on the Prairie: The Musical." The show runs through Sunday, and you can get ticket information and more here.

In sports, the Thunder returns from their Florida road trip and is in town for only one game before heading out again. On Friday, Oklahoma City takes on the Washington Wizards at the Ford Center.

The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History will host a "Movie Night" Friday featuring, in celebration of International Dinosaur Month, the film "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs." You can bring your pillow and blanket, and snacks are available for purchase. Also, the OKC Museum of Art has a Fall Family Festival featuring the Dutch Italianates. It includes games, activities, live music and more.

Are you attending any of the above events, or has something else caught your eye this weekend? Let us know below. You can submit future events for publication and possible profile here on About Oklahoma City by using this form.

_{Photo � Adam Knapp}

Weekend Highlights: 11/20-11/22 originally appeared on About.com Oklahoma City on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 13:07:53.

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H1N1 Vaccines Now Available to All

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:19:39 +0000

It's finally time for those of us at the back of the line... Previously, only priority groups such as young children and pregnant women have been able to get the H1N1 vaccine in Oklahoma. But the Oklahoma State Department of Health announced this week that, due to decreased demand from those priority groups, the vaccine is now available to everyone.

The following clinics will have H1N1 vaccines for the general public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.:

11/21: Northwest Classen High School, 2801 NW 27th
12/5: Putnam City High School, 5300 NW 50th
12/7: Bethany First Baptist Church, 3800 N. Muller
12/12: Putnam City North High School, 11800 N. Rockwell

Other clinics are available for various priority groups. See the Oklahoma City-County Health Department website for more information.

H1N1 Vaccines Now Available to All originally appeared on About.com Oklahoma City on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 12:19:39.

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3D OKC Added to Google Earth

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:53:36 +0000

If you've never used Google Earth, you should definitely check it out. It's a really cool virtual globe that lets you see satellite imagery and aerial photography of any place on the planet. For many locations, only 2D images are available, but for some, a "digital elevation model" based on NASA data is used to create a three-dimensional view. And as of last week, Oklahoma City has been added to that list.

Now available are various 3D views of Oklahoma City areas and buildings, including the capitol, downtown and much more. Here's a word of warning, though. I've been playing with it for about the last hour and am now way behind on my work.

Google Earth is available for Windows, Mac and Linux, and there's an iPhone app of it as well.

3D OKC Added to Google Earth originally appeared on About.com Oklahoma City on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 12:53:36.

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Where in the Metro?

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:10:25 +0000

Starting with Jesse, several of you were able to correctly identify the Farmer's Public Market last week in the submission by About.com contributor Roni Collins.

This week, I offer my appreciation again for yet another great one from Roni. Post your guesses below.

If anyone else would like to submit one for a future week, just send it my way for consideration, and make sure you identify it as "Where in the Metro?".

_{Photo � Roni Collins}

Where in the Metro? originally appeared on About.com Oklahoma City on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 12:10:25.

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Mustang Brewing Introduces 2nd Beer

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:55:42 +0000

As I've noted in the past, I'm far from a beer connoisseur, but I absolutely love to support and sample the products of the local breweries. So I wrote about Mustang Brewing Company when it debuted last summer, and now I will certainly give its second product, Amber Lager, a try.

The official launch for the Mustang Amber Lager will take place at McNellie's on Monday, November 16th. Starting at 5 p.m., the first 200 hundred people to purchase the new beer receive a complimentary Mustang Brewing Company glass. According to company officials, the first 200 pints of the debut beer, Mustang Golden Ale, sold in about 15 minutes last summer. So it'd be a good idea to get there early.

_{Photo © Mustang Brewing Company}

Mustang Brewing Introduces 2nd Beer originally appeared on About.com Oklahoma City on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 12:55:42.

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Weekend Highlights: 11/13-11/15

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:00:02 +0000

If you're the superstitious type, perhaps you're staying home this Friday the 13th. But for everyone else, there are some headline events. For example, the Cox Convention Center is the place to be this weekend for "Curious George Live!," a perfect show for the whole family. Tickets are available online or by calling (800) 745-3000.

The Oklahoma City Philharmonic presents "Transformations" on Saturday, featuring world-renowned pianist Stephen Hough performing Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

In sports, the Thunder is on the road Saturday at San Antonio but returns to the Ford Center the very next night for another meeting with the L.A. Clippers, a team they just beat earlier this week. The organization is hosting a food drive prior to Sunday's game, and fans who bring two non-perishable food items will receive a voucher for a pair of tickets to a future Thunder home game.

Both the Sooners and Cowboys are home this Saturday for football games against Texas A&M and Texas Tech respectively. What an odd season it has been for our state football teams.

Elsewhere, the Norman Arts Council presents the 2nd Friday Circuit of Art from 6-10 p.m. Friday night. There's a new gallery as well as art activities. Get more information online.

And State Fair Park's Modern Living Building is the site for a Weight Loss Expo on Saturday, with "hundreds of exhibits featuring the very latest from the weight loss industry." Get all the details on the official site.

_{Photo � Adam Knapp}

Weekend Highlights: 11/13-11/15 originally appeared on About.com Oklahoma City on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 13:00:02.

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Winter Preparedness Day

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:11:26 +0000

Apparently, I missed it. Not a terribly difficult thing to do considering the weather of late. You can't ask for a lot more than low 70's in November, after all. But amidst all that beautiful sunshine and comfortable temperatures, Governor Henry (along with The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, and the National Weather Service) declared this past Tuesday "Winter Preparedness Day". Though we'd prefer to think of outdoor dining and activities around OKC, the downer is that ice and snow aren't too far away.

It's time, they say, to begin preparing your home and cars for colder weather. Among other things, that preparation means learning area snow routes, winterizing your home, developing a family disaster plan for winter storms and making sure your car has emergency supplies such as blankets, a flashlight, jumper cables, first aid kit, scraper, and cell phone with extra batteries.

You just never know when the first winter storm will come, so prepare now. Hey, in Oklahoma, it wouldn't be all that shocking to be in the 70's one day and have snow the next.

Winter Preparedness Day originally appeared on About.com Oklahoma City on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 12:11:26.

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MAPS 3 Debate is On

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:36:32 +0000

As you can tell from newspaper editorials and internet discussion boards, the opinions are split but passionate on the MAPS 3 proposal. For example, my MAPS 3 opinion page has over twenty responses, and we'll just say that exclamation marks are used more than a few times. With the vote just less than a month away, all the details of the plan are becoming clear and the sides are organizing efforts.

Coming out in support of MAPS 3 are, obviously, the mayor and the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, as well as many other civic organizations, schools and businesses. They have a campaign website at www.yesformaps.com. On the other side of the issue are Oklahoma City's fire and police unions, among others. Their committee "Not This MAPS" claims there are far more pressing concerns in the current economic climate.

As for the proposal itself, specific details continue to emerge. The streetcar system would be five to six miles downtown, State Fair Park would get exhibit space and public building upgrades, and a whitewater kayaking venue would be added on the Oklahoma River. One MAPS 3 component, the downtown park, was more clearly illustrated at a presentation a couple of weeks ago. Designers intend to include a cafe, lake, amphitheater, dog park and skating rink. Frankly I think that's a bit too busy, but what do I know.

What do you think? Voice your opinion on MAPS 3 and how you intend to vote.

_{MAPS 3 Logo � Oklahoma City}

MAPS 3 Debate is On originally appeared on About.com Oklahoma City on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 13:36:32.

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Where in the Metro?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:10:30 +0000

Jane Schane knew where last week's photo was taken. That was the Dean A. McGee Eye Institute on NW 56th, with the photo submission by About.com contributor Roni Collins.

And this week, we have another one from Roni, who has discovered this side of the game is fun too. My thanks once again to Roni for the submissions. Post your guesses for this week's picture below.

If anyone else would like to submit one for a future week, just send it my way for consideration, and make sure you identify it as "Where in the Metro?".

_{Photo � Roni Collins}

Where in the Metro? originally appeared on About.com Oklahoma City on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 13:10:30.

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